New York-based NTDTV recently announced that it will host the "World Chinese Vocal Music Competition" in October 2007. This is another international cultural event hosted by NTDTV, following the successful conclusion of the Chinese Classical Dance Competition held in early July.
Mr. Li Zong, President of NTDTV, said that the vocal music competition is a part of an international music series aimed at bridging the East and the West. Its goal is to facilitate cultural exchange and to promote good, unadulterated, and beautiful classical vocal music.
The vocal competition will have two categories: Chinese folk and Western classical. The songs should be Chinese traditional music, folk music, Chinese ethnic music, TV or movie theme songs, classical songs, or arias from operas (Chinese and other countries). No songs with political themes or songs praising the Chinese Communist Party are accepted.
Professional vocalists, students and teachers of music departments in higher education institutions, and amateurs with professional singing skills between 18 and 55 years of age are encouraged to apply.
Three prizes will be given out: Gold ($10,000), Silver ($3,000), and Bronze ($1,000).
The Vocal Competition Is Follows on the Heels of NTDTV's New Year Spectacular and Classical Dance Competition
"The Global Chinese Vocal Music Competition is a continuation of NTDTV's New Year Spectacular and Classic Dance Competition. Our mission is to present, through art, the true, benevolent, and beautiful inner meaning of China's 5,000-year culture, and to facilitate the cultural exchange between the East and West," said Mr. Li.
Since NTDTV's success in hosting a Chinese New Year Spectacular in Manhattan in 2004, the number of shows and audience attendance have gradually increased every year. In 2007 alone, the NTDTV New Year Spectacular traveled to more than 30 cities of the world, and were enjoyed by an audience of over 200,000.
"There was no doubt about Western and Chinese audience's appreciation and longing for Chinese traditional arts and culture. This trend is still growing. To meet the increasing demand, we hosted a global Classical Chinese Dance Competition in July this year. It was very well received," Mr. Li told The Epoch Times.
He said that prior to the semi-finals of the dance competition, many people called and inquired about the schedule. By then, however, all the tickets were sold out. The live broadcast of the program also received a large viewership.
Mr. Li believes that any activity that benefits society and its culture will be recognized and supported by the public. The Chinese Vocal Music Competition is another means to promote cultural exchanges and increase understanding between cultures. He thinks that the vocal competition will attract even more participants than the dance competition and will generate a high level of interest in music circles.
Chinese Vocal Music Competition Answers Popular Demand
Another reason for hosting the vocal music competition, according to Mr. Li, was popular demand. NTDTV received many inquiries about a vocal competition even before the dance competition concluded. The viewers' expressed encouragement was another factor in the decision to host the vocal competition.
"NTDTV brought classical Chinese dance to the world stage for the first time. This is quite remarkable. I hope they continue to host such events every year," said New York-based vocalist Gao Weiliang.
"I think Chinese culture will become a mainstream culture in the world. Chinese language will also become an international language. NTDTV's Chinese dance competition certainly raised the profile of Chinese culture," she added.
Chinese Communist Party's Interference Became Promotion
The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has tried to interfere with effectively all the cultural activities and events hosted by NTDTV. Mr Li said, "I don't know what they are afraid of. Maybe they fear that NTDTV will become stronger after successfully hosting these events, and thereby threatening CCP's monopoly on news and Chinese-language media. The CCP is most fearful of NTDTV's unique and honest reporting of the dictatorship in China."
"Actually, their actions are foolish. NTDTV will not be thwarted by the CCP's interference. Their ill intent actually served to promote our activities. Those who didn't know the details came to learn more, and found out how beautiful our programs are."
Mr. Li said that in Australia, the CCP sent letters to many parliament members, trying to dissuade them from attending NTDTV's Chinese New Year Spectacular. In the end, nearly all parliament members came to watch the show. One parliament member even joked that with that many colleagues in the theater, he felt as though he was attending a parliament meeting.
Large Turnout Expected
Mr. Li said, "NTDTV has a large number of viewers. More and more people are accepting and supporting us. From our past experience hosting Holiday Wonders, Chinese New Year Spectacular, and the Chinese dance competition, we learned that everyone wants to see beautiful things. Our events will be bigger and bigger, and even more successful."
"Many expert dancers and artists have also attended our shows. In the West, it is uncommon to host large-scale Chinese performance art activities. These competitions are also a rare opportunity for them, giving them a stage to showcase their own artistic accomplishments."
Mr. Li also expressed his wish that all Chinese vocalists from around the world could attend this competition. "They can demonstrate their own talents while promoting the development of world cultures and arts."
NTDTV Will Broadcast Vocal Competition Globally
Global Chinese Vocal Music Competition is hosted by NTDTV with assistance from The Epoch Times and Sound of Hope Radio. The competition will be broadcast by NTDTV to viewers worldwide.
NTDTV invites vocalists to apply to the Global Chinese Vocal Music Competition:
- Applications accepted starting July 20, 2007
- Apply in the following ways:
- Register online at http://vocal.ntdtv.com
- Email: vocalcomp@comcast.net
- Call hotline at （888）288-8095, (646)205-3664
- Fax: (212)500-0544
- Mail to: NTDTV "Global Chinese Vocal Music Competition," 229 West 28th Street, Suite 1200, New York , NY 10001, USA.
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