Event Highlights | The "Voice of the Future" Youth (and Children's) Choral Competition at the Tchaikovsky Conservatory of Music at Chongqing Normal University Is About to Launch!

To fully implement the university's aesthetic education immersion initiative, fulfill the fundamental task of fostering virtue through education, showcase the fusion of Chinese and Russian artistry, build a high-level platform for youth choral art exchange, and display the spirit and artistic attainment of young people in the new era, the Tchaikovsky Conservatory of Music at Chongqing Normal University hereby presents the "Voice of the Future" Youth (and Children's) Choral Competition of the Tchaikovsky Conservatory of Music, and formulates this implementation plan.

Overview of the Competition

(1) Guiding UnitChongqing Municipal Education Commission

(2) Host UnitsChongqing Normal University; Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory

(3) Organizing UnitTchaikovsky Conservatory of Music at Chongqing Normal University. This competition is jointly hosted by Chongqing Normal University and the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory, with an Organizing Committee established, chaired jointly by the presidents of both universities and the Dean of the Tchaikovsky Conservatory of Music.

(4) Scale of ParticipationAs the inaugural edition, this competition will give priority to selecting high-caliber primary and secondary school choirs from within Chongqing, each team comprising 40–60 members.

(5) DateSunday, May 17, 2026

(6) VenueConcert Hall of Chongqing Normal University (Alumni Hall, University Town Campus, CQNU)

Competition Rules

(1) EligibilityAs the inaugural edition, participation is primarily open to formal choral teams composed of currently enrolled students from public and private primary schools, junior high schools, and senior high schools in Chongqing. Teams must possess a solid choral foundation and extensive performance experience, be recommended by their schools and filed with the relevant departments of the Municipal Education Commission, and meet all qualification and proficiency requirements.

(2) Team Requirements

• Repertoire themes: Works should be positive and uplifting, celebrating life, with correct ideological orientation; original works are encouraged and supported for entry.

• Accompaniment: Accompaniment may be piano, accordion, unaccompanied (a cappella), or a small number of instruments with regional or ethnic character (3 performers or fewer). The Organizing Committee will provide only the piano; no other instruments for accompaniment will be provided. The use of any pre-recorded backing tracks is prohibited.

• Competition pieces: Each team is required to perform two pieces—one must be a Chinese work; the other may be chosen at the team's discretion.

• Scores: Each competing choir must submit electronic scores for each piece. Scores must follow the international standard format—European music notation.

• Performance duration: Each choir's performance is limited to 10 minutes.

• Team leaders' meeting: The team leaders' meeting will be held at 10:00 a.m. on May 13 at the Concert Hall, University Town Campus, CQNU. Performance order will be determined by on-site drawing of lots.

(3) RegistrationRegistration period: April 25–30, 2026

Competition Procedure

Judging Rules and Awards

(1) Composition of the JuryThe jury consists of five professionals, with MARIIA CHELMAKINA, choral conducting expert of the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory, serving as jury chair.

(2) Scoring CriteriaThis choral competition employs an independent evaluation system. Performances of each work will be scored on the basis of: vocal and choral formation; intonation and rhythm; difficulty and completeness of the works; and musical expression and style.

(3) Scoring RulesScientific and reasonable scoring rules are adopted, with judging open and transparent throughout. Competition results will be publicized after review by the Organizing Committee and the relevant departments of the Municipal Education Commission, subject to public oversight, ensuring fairness and impartiality.

(4) AwardsThe competition sets two categories of awards—team awards and individual awards. Team awards include the Gold Award, First Prize, Second Prize, Third Prize, and Certificates of Successful Participation; individual awards include the Outstanding Conductor Award, Piano Accompanist Award, and Instructor Award.

Organizing Committee Contact

Contact person: Ms. YuPhone: 18008362958Registration reply email: 2575931668@qq.com

"Masterclass in Choral Conducting"

To build a closed-loop aesthetic education practice of "promoting learning through competition and integrating training with contest," this edition of the competition is specially linked with a masterclass study module. Following the close of the choral competition, the Organizing Committee will promptly launch the masterclass, inviting outstanding choral conducting experts and professors from the Moscow Conservatory to attend in person. The expert panel will then conduct in-depth commentary and precise guidance—advancing training through competition and elevating standards through competition—delivering a leap forward in the professional level of each team's choral conducting.

Moscow State Tchaikovsky ConservatoryMasterclass in Choral Conducting: Course Guidance Procedure

Friends interested in the choral conducting masterclass may scan the QR code below to register! (Limited places, first come, first served)

Music is a language that transcends borders; youth is a morning sun that never sets. This competition is not only a contest of skill, but also a heartfelt dialogue between Chinese and Russian musical cultures. May we meet friends through music and convey feeling through song—on the fertile artistic soil of the Tchaikovsky Conservatory at CQNU, let every passion take root and sprout, and together sound the "Voice of the Future" that belongs to the new era!

① Public transit: Take Metro Line 1 to the University Town Station, exit through Exit 1 or Exit 2, and walk to the main campus entrance (Gate 1) to enter the university.

② By car: Please register your full license plate number via the QR code above; you may then enter the campus directly through the main entrance (Gate 1) of CQNU (University Town Campus).

③ Group travel: Buses should park at the off-campus plaza by Gate 1; participants then walk together to the Concert Hall of the Alumni Hall.

Chongqing Normal University

Tchaikovsky Conservatory of Music at Chongqing Normal University