Eight categories of young violinists and chamber groups contested for numerous cash and product prizes at the competition’s final, held on 19 April 2025
The fifth edition of the Hong Kong International Young Musicians Competition was held from 12-19 April 2025 at Tsuen Wan Town Hall Auditorium in Hong Kong. The final round for the violin and chamber music category was held on 19 April and was divided into eight sections according to age.
This year’s jury was chaired by artistic director Kirill Troussov, and comprised Savva Fatkulin, Tong Weidong, Ho-Young Pi, Kyoko Takezawa, Xie Haomeng, Yang Xiaoyu, Florian Leonhard MBE, Leung Kin Fung, Feng Jia, Jin Xiaolong, Chang Tzu Ti and Li Yuhe.
In the category for violinists up to the age of 23, first prize of $2000, together with Gewa Music Prize was awarded to Wu Mengdie. Second prize of $1500 went to Zhu zun zun, while third prize of $1000 went to Yu Junhao. Fourth prize was won by Wong Chin Kei, fifth prize went to Emanuel D Reunhardt and sixth prize was awarded to Shi Mengmeng.
In the category for violinists aged 15 to 17, the first prize of $1300 was won by Ren Yidie, who also received G. Henle Verlag Urtext Prize. The second prize of $800 was won by Zhang Jinxuan, and the third prize of $500 by Lena Krzabowska. Fourth prize was awarded to Ching Nok Yiu, while fifth prize went to Lilian Chen.
The category for violinists aged 14 and under was won by Wong Ngai Wan Evangeline, receiving $1,100, a one-year loan of a fine violin from Florian Leonard Fine Violins, and a bow made by bow maker Magdalena Sapeta. The second prize of $650 was won by Pei Tsz Hin, while the third prize of $400 was awarded to Sophia Ann Fang. The fourth prize was awarded to Wong Ho Hei, and the fifth and sixth prize to Huang Yushan and Angel Tao.
The category for violinists aged nine and eleven was won by Yurina Ohsawa, who received $900. The second prize of $500 was awarded to Liu Yongxuan, and the third prize of $300 to Sawa Kirigaya. Fourth prize went to Zhang Xichen, fifth prize shared between Wu Yusen and Rino Ohashi, and sixth prize was shared between Wong Ngai Nam Eleanor and Xu Xiaoya.
For violinists aged eight and under, the first prize of $600 was shared between Lu Xiyuan Amelia and Sun Yaxin, the second prize of $400 by Keira Shing, and the third prize of $200 by Ng Wan Chi. Fourth prize was awarded to Liam Ian Gunawan, fifth prize to Ouyang Zhi Yan, while sixth prize was awarded to Jin Yixin.
The category for the youngest violinists, aged up to five, saw the first prize of $600 shared between Lu Xiyuan Amelia and Sun Yaxin, the second prize of $400 awarded to Keira Shing, and the third prize of $200 to Ng Wan Chi. Fourth prize was awarded to Liam Ian Gunawan, fifth prize to Ouyang Zhi Yan, while sixth prize awarded to Jin Yixin.
In the chamber music category for musicians aged between 13 and 23, first prize of first prize of $400 was won by HKMYCO-Senior Quartet, second prize of $300 was won by Yaqui Youth Chamber, while third prize of $200 went to Hong Kong Youth Ensemble. In the chamber music category for musicians aged twelve and under, first prize of $400 was won by HKMYCO-Junior Quartet, second prize of $300 by HKUGAPS-String Quartet, while third prize of $200 was shared by YARN Waltzio quartet and Little Stringism! Chamber.
All first prize-winners also received a set of Pirastro Perpetual violin strings and rosin. First to third prize-winners in the three eldest violin categories received 1000 Free Credit App-Voucher from G. Henle Verlag and all cash prizes of chamber music category sponsored by Wilh. Steinberg.
The Hong Kong International Young Musicians Competition was established in 2020 and is open to young musicians of all nationalities. This year’s competition garnered 700 applicants, with 180 candidates selected to take part in the first round.
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