2nd International Chromatic Harmonica Competition (Hong Kong), 第二屆國際半音階口琴大賽(香港),2nd ICHC

Section 1: Mission

1.1	The 2nd International Chromatic Harmonica Competition (Hong Kong) 2027 (hereafter "ICHC 2027"), organised by the King's Harmonica Quintet Limited (hereafter "Organiser"), is dedicated to the appreciation of chromatic harmonica music to present aspiring young performers from throughout the world.
1.2	The ICHC 2027 is a platform that brings musicians, the general public, and the media together to heighten the appreciation of the repertory, performance tradition, history, and culture of chromatic harmonica, and harmonica music in general.
1.3	It aspires to recognize and reward individuals with top-notch musicianship, despite its competitive nature among contestants.

Section 2: The Competition

2.1

Overview

2.1.1	Held in four stages, the ICHC 2027 at its completion awards prizes to the most outstanding contestants chosen by a Jury, gaining for the award-winners widespread recognition.
2.1.2	Stage 1 is for the preliminary round and is held off-site through submission of video recordings.
2.1.3	Stages 2 to 4 are held on-site over a period of six days from 30 March 2027 to 4 April 2027 which is the highlight of this event.
2.1.4	Stage 2 is the quarter-final with live solo performance both with and without piano accompaniment in front of the Jury panel.
2.1.5	Stage 3 is the semi-final and requires collaboration with a string ensemble.
2.1.6	Stage 4 is the final round with a concerto performance with an orchestra.
2.1.7	The same piece of music cannot be played in Stages 2 to 4 except as approved by the Organiser.
2.1.8	The order of performance will be determined by drawing a lot prior to the competition of each stage.
2.1.9	Overseas contestants who can enter Stage 2 will receive a subsidy from the organizer to cover part of their expenses for their air passages and accommodations in Hong Kong SAR for up to 11 nights.

2.2

Stage 1 – Preliminary (Off-site)

2.2.1

The total duration of performance shall be around 14-16 minutes.

2.2.2

Contestants have to video-record a solo performance with live piano accompaniment for submission with the application. Contestants may choose to perform more than one piece, from their own choices and/or from Repertoire List B (please refer to the section on the Lists of Repertoire), provided the total performance time remains within the specified limit.

2.2.3

Contestants are responsible for submitting the softcopy of the original music scores together with the application. Application may be rejected if no valid music score related to the performance is being submitted.

2.2.4

Requirements for video recording are as follows:

2.2.4.1	The camera should be steady for the whole duration of recording;
2.2.4.2	The recording must be done in a single take without interruption for each piece of music performance;
2.2.4.3	The camera should capture the pianist and the full body of the contestant from head to feet for the whole duration of recording;
2.2.4.4	Personally identifiable information should not be displayed or left visible anywhere on the video except for the title of the video;
2.2.4.5	Submit the video without a bow, greetings, any effect, or text data. The intervals before and after the performance should be as short as possible;
2.2.4.6	Volume control in the recording is not allowed;
2.2.4.7	The recording must not be edited post-recording;
2.2.4.8	The recording must be an authentic live performance of the contestant recorded after 24 October 2025;
2.2.4.9	The video recording must have a resolution set to 720p (and/or 30fps) and the file size must not exceed 2GB.
2.2.4.10	Contestants are responsible for the quality of video recording on the submitted media. If there is any doubt on the authenticity of the recording, the contestant will be required to submit a written explanation of the doubts as part of the contestant's declaration, falsification of which will lead to disqualification;

2.2.5

The Organiser reserves the right to screen entries for meeting minimum acceptable standard before passing to the Jury;

2.2.6

Twenty-four (24) contestants will be admitted to Stage 2. The list of contestants admitted to Stage 2 will be announced on the official website of the ICHC in July 2026. All contestants will be notified individually of their results; and

2.2.7

By applying to the Competition and submitting a video, both participants and owners of the videos are granting the Organiser permission to save and publicly transmit the videos without limitation nor charge. All submitted video materials will not be returned to the applicants.

2.3

Stage 2 – Quarter-final (On-site)

2.3.1	Contestants shall make a solo performance with and without piano accompaniment.
2.3.2	The total duration of performance shall be around 23-25 minutes including one set piece of approximately 6-8 minutes as decided by the Organiser, one piece from Repertoire List A and at least one piece from Repertoire List B respectively. More than one piece can be selected from List B as long as the total performance time remains within the specified limit. Contestants should inform the Organiser of their choices from Repertoire Lists A and B on or before 30 November 2026. Late submission will not be accepted. The set piece will be available for contestants on or before October 2026.
2.3.3	Contestants are expected to arrive in Hong Kong at least two days before the Competition Day (i.e. on or before 28 March 2027).
2.3.4	The order of performance shall be determined by drawing a lot on the day prior to the Competition Day.
2.3.5	The Organizer will provide piano accompanists of professional standard at no charge, though the contestants are welcome to bring his/her own. Standard number of rehearsal sessions with the pianists will be arranged prior to the competition.
2.3.6	Up to 8 contestants will be admitted to Stage 3. The list of contestants admitted to Stage 3 will be announced at the venue immediately after obtaining the results from the Jury panel and posted onto the official website.

2.4

Stage 3 – Semi-final (On-site)

2.4.1	Contestants shall demonstrate his/her skills in collaborationon with other musicians via a performance with a string ensemble appointed by the Organiser.
2.4.2	The performance shall consist of one of the choices on Repertoire List C with a duration of about 25 minutes.
2.4.3	Contestants should inform the Organiser of their choices of the repertoire from List C on or before 30 November 2026. Late submission will not be accepted.
2.4.4	Contestants will be allocated suitable rehearsal time with the ensemble prior to Competition Day.
2.4.5	The order of rehearsal and performance shall be determined by drawing a lot prior to the Competition.
2.4.6	Up to 4 contestants will be admitted to Stage 4. The list of contestants admitted to Stage 4 will be announced at the venue immediately after obtaining the results from the Jury panel and posted onto the official website.

2.5

Stage 4 – Final (On-site)

2.5.1	Contestants shall collaborate with a professional orchestra appointed by the Organiser.
2.5.2	The performance shall consist of one set piece of approximately 6-8 minutes as decided by the Organiser and one concerto from Repertoire List D with a total duration of around 23-25 minutes. The set piece will be available for contestants on or before October 2026.
2.5.3	Contestants should inform the Organiser of their choices of the repertoire from List D on or before 30 November 2026. Late submission will not be accepted.
2.5.4	Contestants are allocated appropriate rehearsal time with the orchestra.
2.5.5	The order of performance and rehearsal shall be determined by drawing a lot prior to the competition day.

Section 3: Repertoire of Music Selection

3.1

Objective and Process

3.1.1	Selected by a committee including renowned harmonica artists in the Jury, the Repertoire Lists celebrate the highest achievements of chromatic harmonica and are broad enough – solo with and without piano accompaniment, ensemble, and orchestra – to reveal the artistic personality and the professional competency of the contestants.
3.1.2	Contestants who are selected to join the on-site competition are required to submit their chosen performance pieces for Stage 2, 3 and 4 from the corresponding repertoire lists on or before 30 November 2026. Late submission will not be accepted.

3.2

Repertoire Lists for Stage 2 (On-site)

3.2.1

There will be two repertoire lists for Stages 2. Repertoire List A consists of unaccompanied solo pieces. Repertoire List B consists of chromatic harmonica solo pieces with piano accompaniment.

3.3

Set Piece for Stage 2 (On-site): Solo with piano accompaniment - Music composed for Harmonica and Piano

3.3.1

The set piece for Stage 2 is a dedicated work for chromatic harmonica and piano commissioned by the Organiser. The set piece will be available for contestants on or before October 2026.

3.4

Repertoire List for Stage 3 (On-site): Solo with a string ensemble

3.4.1

Repertoire List C consists of music pieces composed/arranged for chromatic harmonica and an ensemble.

3.5

Repertoire List for Stage 4 (On-site): Solo with an orchestra

3.5.1

Repertoire List D consists of harmonica concertos playing with an orchestra

3.6

Set Piece for Stage 4 (On-site): Solo with an orchestra - Music composed for Harmonica and Orchestra)

3.6.1

The set piece for Stage 4 – Final is a concerto work for chromatic harmonica and an orchestra commissioned by the Organiser. The set piece will be available for contestants on or before October 2026.

Section 4: Eligibility Requirement

4.1	The competition application is open to all.
4.2	Contestants under the age of 18 by the Competition Day must provide written consent from a parent or guardian to travel to Hong Kong for Stage 2 of the competition.

Section 5: The Jury

5.1	Entries in the preliminary round and the on-site stages are adjudicated by panels of local and overseas Jury members. Please refer to the session on the Jury Panel.

Section 6: Adjudication Process

6.1	Any Jury member who is a relative or regular teacher of a contestant will not judge for nor discuss that contestant with other members of the Jury.
6.2	All discussions by the Jury must be strictly confidential.
6.3	Decision of the Jury shall be final.

Section 7: Prize and Award

7.1

Award will be given to all four top contestants in Stage 4 (Final) and in accordance with their accumulated marks gained in Stage 2 to Stage 4 as follows.

First Prize	HK$100,000 and a trophy;
Second Prize	HK$70,000 and a trophy;
Third Prize	HK$50,000 and a trophy;
Fourth Prize	HK$30,000 and a trophy;

7.2

All prizes will be awarded to the winners unless the Jury makes the discretion to withhold naming any prize.

7.3

An appreciation prize of HK$1,000 may be awarded to contestants who achieve a good performance in Stage 1, as determined by the Jury.

7.4

A certificate signed by the Jury will be awarded to all contestants in Stage 1 to 4.

Section 8: Application Procedure

8.1

Candidates are required to submit the following on or before 15 June 2026.

8.1.1	A duly completed online application;
8.1.2	Video recording of the performance for Stage 1;
8.1.3	Receipt for payment of a non-refundable application fee of HK500 by telegraphic transfer. All bank charges (by the sending and receiving banks) are paid for by the applicants.
8.1.4	Late application will not be accepted.

Section 9: Miscellaneous

9.1	Submission of Competition application is considered as acceptance of the Competition Rules and Regulations. It also means that an agreement has been concluded between the Organiser and the contestants concerning all matters provided for in these Rules. Contestants agree to the storage and use of their personal data by the Organizer for the purpose of organising the competition.
9.2	The Organiser reserves the right to photograph and record (audio & video) all rehearsals, competition rounds and concerts. These may be broadcast on radio, TV, or online without further permission given by the contestants or their accompanists, who are not entitled to claim any remuneration for these recordings and broadcasts.
9.3	Any contestant who knowingly falsifies documentation for admittance to the competition will be disqualified.
9.4	In well justified situations, the Organiser reserves the right to make changes to any aspect of the competition.
9.5	Any integral or partial change to the place or time of the competition will be announced in due time.