The 1st UBC Cantonese Singing Contest 歲粵如歌－第一屆卑詩大學粵語歌唱比賽

2018.03.08: RSVP has closed as all tickets have been taken and we are expecting a full house! If you still want to join us, please wait in line for seats before 6:45pm when they are available. First come first served!

2018.01.30: Free tickets are available by RSVP. Seats are limited and first come first served. Please register by filling the form on the top of this page.

2018.01.29: Preliminary results have been announced. Many thanks to everyone who participated making this a very competitive event. Please join us on March 9th for the exciting final competition!

2018.01.26: The preliminary rounds have been completed! The list of finalists will be announced on this page in early February. Stay tuned!

2018.01.24: We are recruiting volunteers for the final contest on March 9! Here is a list of positions. To sign up, please contact our volunteer manager.

2018.01.23: If you have signed up as a contestant, you should have received an email about your time slot for the preliminary round. Please contact us if you haven't.

2018.01.16: Registration for contestants has closed. Thank you for your support! Please submit your music accompaniment to https://airtable.com/shrff8lxmNa1iIOgk if you haven't already.

1. Purpose   

This event aims at promoting the learning of Cantonese language and culture among university students by providing an opportunity to showcase their talent.

2. Schedule

• Preliminary Rounds:
  • Date: Thursday, January 25th, 2018 & Friday, January 26th, 2018
  • Time: 5:00-9:00pm
  • Venue: Auditorium, Asian Centre (1871 West Mall), UBC

The preliminary rounds will be held as an audition, in which 15 units (5 per category) will be selected to advance to the final round.

• Final Round:
  • Date: Friday, March 9th, 2018
  • Time: 7:00-10:00pm
  • Venue: Lower Atrium, AMS Nest (6133 University Blvd), UBC

The final round will be held as a show. Members of the general public are welcome to attend as audience.  

3. Eligibility

Contestants must be students who are currently enrolled at the University of British Columbia. Contestants will be asked to verify their student status by presenting their UBC Card when they check in at the registration table.

In the interest of fairness, organizers of this event and executive committee members of Club HK are not eligible to sign up as contestants.

The contest is divided into three categories:

• • Solo - Cantonese as first language
  • Solo - Cantonese as an additional language
  • Group

A soloist may participate in at most one group as well.

4. Registration

Registration will be open between Thursday, December 7th, 2017 and Wednesday, January 10th, 2018 on this page.

There is no registration fee.

A restricted number of contestants (100) is allowed for the singing contest. Applications are accepted on a first-come-first-served basis. However, you are still encouraged to sign up as a waitlist will be available.

5. Awards

For each category, First Place, Second Place, and Third Place (First Place only for Group), will be awarded based on scores given by adjudicators. One Audience Choice Award will be awarded based on the number of votes from the audience.

1. Contestant Eligibility and Requirements  

1.1. This competition is open to all students who are currently enrolled in the University of British Columbia, which include but are not limited to undergraduate, graduate, unclassified, and exchange students. In the interest of fairness, organizers of this event and executive members of Club HK are not eligible to sign up as contestants.

1.2. All songs must be performed in Cantonese.

1.3. If desired, musical accompaniment in the form of an MP3 file must be submitted by January 15th, 2018 as per stated in the confirmation email. The MP3 file must not be longer than the time limit (2 minutes for preliminary rounds and 4 minutes for the final round), and it must not contain the main vocal (backing vocals are acceptable). Alternatively, contestants may play their live instruments as musical accompaniment. Contestants must bring their own musical instruments if they choose to play live instruments. Please note that the time limit includes the time to set up your instrument.

1.4. Adjudicators will rate one's performance based on five criteria. The weighting of the criteria is as follows: 

“Cantonese as First Language” Category:          

1. 15% Accuracy in Cantonese Pronunciation and Articulation    
2. 25% Voice and Singing Technique                        
3. 30% Precision in Pitch and Rhythm     
4. 15% Artistry and Musicianship                     
5. 15% Overall Stage Manners                                 

“Cantonese as an Additional Language” Category:

1. 20% Accuracy in Cantonese Pronunciation and Articulation        
2. 20% Voice and Singing Technique                         
3. 30% Precision in Pitch and Rhythm        
4. 15% Artistry and Musicianship                         
5. 15% Overall Stage Manners 

“Group” Category:                                

1. 15% Accuracy in Cantonese Pronunciation and Articulation        
2. 25% Voice and Singing Technique                         
3. 30% Precision in Pitch and Rhythm        
4. 15% Vocal arrangement and harmony                        
5. 15% Overall Stage Manners 

1.5. Illegal or controlled substances, alcohol, or weapons are not permitted at the audition and the final competition.

2. The Preliminary Competition (The Audition)

2.1. Please refer to the document of General Information listed on the official website for detailed information of the time and dates for the Preliminary Round.

1. 1. Contestants are required to report with UBC Student ID to the registration table outside the proposed contest venue, 30 minutes before the start of the preliminary competition.
   2. All contestants have to be present for audition. Any group with more than 10 vocalists will be disqualified for group competition.  Groups that enter the final round cannot substitute someone with a new member who did not attend the preliminary round.
   3. Contestants reporting late will lose their designated time slot, and will not be guaranteed a new time slot.
   4. Each contestant has 2 minutes to perform their chosen song.
   5. 5 contestants/groups will be selected to proceed into the final round of competition for each category. 

3. The Final Round

3.1. The final round will be held on Friday, March 9th, 2018, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM.

3.2. All finalists are required to report with UBC Student ID to the registration table at the competition venue at the time stated in the confirmation email.

3.3. Each finalist will be invited to sing a song of their choice (which can be a different song from the preliminary round) that lasts no more than 4 minutes.

4. General Competition Rules  

4.1 Each contestant/group is entitled to compete for the First, Second and Third Prize in the respective category. The Audience Choice Award will be given to the most popular unit selected by live audience voting.

4.2. The Organizer may request Contestants to participate in additional activities relating to the Competition, including interviews and appearances at promotional, publicity, and sponsorship activities.

4.3. The Organizers and Judges' decision is final and the Contestants acknowledge that the interests of the Competition shall override those of any Contestant. The Organizer reserves the right to make all final decisions relating to the Competition.  

4.4. At all times during the Competition, the Organizer reserves the right of veto over the choice of song, even where Contestants have been permitted to select that song.

4.5. The Organizer will have no liability to a contestant who is unable to attend or take part in any part of the Competition for whatever reason, as determined by the Organizer at its sole discretion.

4.6. The Organizer has the right to require proof of identity and/or eligibility. Failure to provide such proof within a reasonable time could result in disqualification from the Competition.

4.7. All personal details and information requested by and supplied to the Organizer by each Contestant must be truthful, accurate and in no way misleading. The Organizer reserves the right to disqualify any Contestant from the Audition or Competition at its sole discretion, should the Contestant at any stage supply untruthful, inaccurate or misleading personal details and/or information or should the Contestant be ineligible for the Competition pursuant to the Competition Rules.

4.8. The Organizer reserves the right to amend the Competition Rules or terminate the Competition at any time without any liability to any contestant.

4.9. The Organizer also reserves the right to replace at its discretion any contestant, who for any reason fails or is disqualified from or unable to participate in any aspect of the Competition, with another replacement Contestant; notwithstanding that the replacement Contestant may have been previously eliminated from the Competition. The choice of the replacement contestant is determined at the committee’s discretion.  

4.10. Contestants must at all times behave appropriately when taking part in the Competition and observe the Competition Rules and any other rules. The Organizer reserves the right at its discretion to remove from the Competition or the premises any Contestant who breaks such a rule or fails to behave appropriately; thereupon, to disqualify such a Contestant.

4.11. By participating in the competition, the contestant agrees to waive any and all claims they may now and in the future have against, and release from all liability and agree not to sue the competition organizers and their volunteers, agents or representatives for any personal injuries, death and property damages, expenses or loss sustained by the contestant as a result of their participation in the competition due to any cause whatsoever.  

4.12. These competition rules are additional to the terms and conditions of the Registration Forms signed by the Contestant.

Ms. Winnie Cheung - Co-Founder and Executive Director, Pacific Canada Heritage Centre - Museum of Migration
Mr. Angus Chiu - Theatre actor and chartered accountant
Dr. Hedy Law - Assistant Professor, UBC School of Music
Mr. Charles Mak - Radio host, AM1320 CHMB
Ms. Karen So - News anchor and reporter, OMNI Cantonese
Dr. Clement Tong - Assistant Professor, Carey Theological College

Faculty Chair: Raymond Pai
Student Co-Chairs: Zoe Lam, Nataley Li
Members: Kristy Chan, Cecil Chow, Derek Huang, Alisa Ip, Michelle Leung, Sam Leung, Bernice Lau, Joyce Wong, Florence Zheng, Katrina Zhu

Paid parking is available at the North Parkade (6115 Student Union Boulevard V6T1Z1).
Find out more about rates and hours at UBC Parking.

For inquiries, please contact the organizing committee of the First UBC Cantonese Singing Contest at ubccantonesesc@gmail.com.