Kindergarten Section¹
Each participating team is limited to a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 50 persons.

Primary School Section

Each participating team is limited to a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 50 persons.

Middle/ Secondary School & Tertiary Institute Section
Each participating team is limited to a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 50 persons.

Special School/ Rehabilitation Organization Section²

Each participating team is limited to a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 50 persons.

Senior Section²
Participants must be over 60 years of age or belong to a registered organization for the elderly. Each participating team is limited to a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 50 persons.

Newcomers’ Section
Participants must have no previous record in the past sessions of the Hong Kong Synergy 24 Drum Competition except the Family Section. Each participating team must be made up of not less than 4 members.

For choreography of actions, participating teams of above sections may choose any combination from Routines 1 to 24 of the two versions of Hong Kong Synergy 24 Drumming Routines, or rearrange their choreography of actions according to the Hong Kong Synergy 24 Drumming Routines. The duration must not exceed 6 minutes. (Titles of routines must be cited as reference.)

Family Section
Each participating team must be formed by 2 or more family members, and each family may form more than 1 family group to participate in the competition. For choreography of actions, participating teams may choose
any combination from Routine 1 to Routine 8 of the original and the new versions of Hong Kong Synergy 24 Drumming Routines. The duration must not exceed 5 minutes. (Titles of routines must be cited as reference.)

Designated Repertoire Section

Rolling Walnuts      Wang Baocan and Hao Shixun
Each participating team should consist of no less than 4 members.

The Ox Fighting the Tiger      Wang Guojie,     Arr. by Wang Baocan
Each participating team should consist of no less than 2 members.

Flying Dragon and Leaping Tiger (Excerpts)      Li Minxiong,     Arr. by Yim Hok Man and Chin Kwok Wai.
Each participating team should consist of no less than 5 members.

A poem on the Drum (Excerpts)     Tan Dun and Li Zhengui     Arr. by Yim Hok-man
Each participating team should consist of no less than 5 members.

The performance of Designated Repertoire Section must use the drum score provided by the Organizer. Any improvisatory change may render the team disqualified.

Creative Presentation Section
Each participating team is limited to a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 50 persons. Participating teams may choose any drum score and routines or devise its own score. Routines and choreography may be freely devised, but must have drumming as focus.3 Some percussion instruments may be added as accompaniment. The duration must not exceed 7 minutes.

• Participants may join different teams within the Creative Presentation Section. However, the repertoire must not be the same.

Future King of Drums Tournament
This section is for individuals. Participants may choose any drum score and routines or devise their own, but must have Chinese drums as the main element. Some percussion instruments may be added as accompaniment. The duration should not exceed 7 minutes.

• Participants are requested to send video document containing their individual performance to the Organizer by mail on or before 11 July, 2025 (Friday). The video document shall be in their original take, unedited and not tampered with in any way. Those chosen will be qualified to attend the Final Competition in Hong Kong.

Lion Dance Drum Section
Lion Dance Drums should include eight elements of expressions of the lion: delight, anger, happiness, suspicion, drunkenness, sleeping and waking up.

The sub-divisions of the Lion Dance Drum Section (Participants’ cut-off date for counting of age is 1 January, 2025):
a. Traditional Lion Drum Dance Section
(Designated music: Lion Dance Drum Music for Celebrations     Mui Kwong-chiu)

• Junior Team for Traditional Lion Drum Dance (under 17)
• Adult Team for Traditional Lion Drum Dance (17 and over)

Each participating team is limited to a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 6 persons. Musical instruments used should consist of a drum, a gong, two sets of cymbals, one set of Jingbo cymbals. The size of the lion dance drum is limited to 1.6 or 1.8 Chinese feet in diameter. The duration should be between 3 and 5 minutes. Participating teams must perform in accordance with the drum score provided by the Organizer, with minimal changes allowed. If there is a need, please scan the QR code below to listen to the demonstration of the designated music, Lion Dance Drum Music for Celebrations.

b. Creative Lion Dance Drum Section

• Junior Team for Creative Lion Drum Dance (under 17)
• Adult Team for Creative Lion Drum Dance (17 and over)

Each participating team is limited to a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 30 persons. Participating teams may choose any drum score or devise their own score. The number of the instruments should not be more than four sets of cymbals and one gong. The number of lion dance drums can be any.  The size of the lion dance drum is limited to 1.6 or 1.8 Chinese feet in diameter. The duration should be between 3 and 5 minutes.

Kindergarten Section¹
Each participating team is limited to a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 50 persons.

Primary School Section

Each participating team is limited to a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 50 persons.

Middle/Secondary School & Tertiary Institute Section
Each participating team is limited to a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 50 persons.

Special School/ Rehabilitation Organization Section²
Each participating team is limited to a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 50 persons.

Senior Section²
Participants must be over 60 years of age or belong to a registered organization for the elderly. Each participating team is limited to a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 50 persons.

Creative Presentation Section
Each participating team is limited to a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 50 persons.

• Participating teams in International Drum Section may choose any drum and other instrument, drum score and routines or devise its own score. Routines and choreography may be freely devised, but must have one drum at least. The duration must not exceed 7 minutes.
• Participants may join different teams within the Creative Presentation Section. However, the repertoire must not be the same.

Footnotes

1: The Kindergarten Section is allowed to use accompaniment music. Relevant electronic documents must be submitted together with the supplementary documents. If they are not submitted by the deadline, the orchestra reserves the final right to decide whether the music will be played.

2: Teams representing locally registered special schools, rehabilitation organizations, elderly care organizations, or charities will be exempted from the registration fee. For participants who register in the Special School/ Rehabilitation Organization Section or the Senior Section, copies of relevant identification documents must be submitted together with the application. If a team includes members who are not persons with special needs or rehabilitation needs (for the Special School/Rehabilitation Section), or not elderly (for the Senior Section), the orchestra will still accept their application and participation. However, the panel of judges reserves the right to deduct points or disqualify the team.

3: Chinese drums and lion dance drums and gongs only.

The Drum Competition welcomes the participants from both of the local and the oversea.

1. Each school / organization may have more than one team participating in the event, but constituent members in each must be different. (This rule does not apply to the Chinese Drum Section - Creative Presentation Section and International Drum Section)

2. Each participating team may choose any combination of Chinese drums, regardless of size and type. However, other musical instruments will not be accepted. (This rule does not apply to the Chinese Drum Section - Special School and Rehabilitation Organization Section, Senior Section, Creative Presentation Section and the Future King of Drums Tournament.) If the participants / participating team use an excessive
number of percussion instruments that do not belong to the category of Chinese drums, the Panel of Judges reserves the right to deduct marks or disqualify the said person(s) / team. (This rule does not apply to the International Drum Section.)

3. Participating teams may design their own costumes, group formations and staging of their performance, subject to the final approval of the HKCO.

4. All participating teams must submit the team information form, score, drum formation chart, consent form, and accompaniment music file (for Kindergarten section only, if applicable) to the HKCO by 6:00 p.m. on September 26, 2025.

5. There may be no prizewinner for a specific section if the participants fail to perform well or up to standard.
The Organizer reserves the right to make the final decision.

6. Non-local participating teams are responsible for arranging their own transportation, accommodation, and
immigration matters. For details, please refer to the entry requirements for inbound travellers on the official website of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (https://www.immd.gov.hk/hkt/index.html).

7. The HKCO reserves the right to make changes to the schedule, judging, and all other aspects, and the final announcement shall be binding.

8. If amplification is required for the instruments, please indicate the corresponding option on the registration
form. The request will only be confirmed upon approval by the organizer.

9. The performance venue is at ground level, with a stage area of 10 meters (width) by 7 meters (depth),
covered with a red carpet, for the reference of all teams.

**The Organizer reserves the right to disqualify any participant / participating team for violation of the above.**

The first and final rounds for all sections: 11-12 October 2025 (Sat, Sun) 

Zone C, Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza

The final round and the Award Ceremony for Primary School and Creative Presentation Section for the Chinese Drum Section: 1 November 2025 (Sat), 

Concert Hall, Hong Kong Cultural Centre

Accuracy in tempo, dynamics, uniformity and fluidity in movements, the overall outlook and presentation on stage, creativity as demonstrated in the group formation, costume design and staging.

Chairman: Mr Yan Huichang (Artistic Director and Principal Conductor for Life, HKCO)

Vice Chairmen:
Mr Yim Hok Man (Associate Director of HKCO Orchestral Academy)
Dr Chin Man Wah, Celina (Executive Director, HKCO)

Members:
Mr Chew Hee Chiat (Assistant Artistic Director and Resident Conductor, HKCO)
Mr Luk Kin Bun (Percussion Principal, HKCO)
Mr Chin Kwok Wai (Percussion Assistant Principal, HKCO)

Well-known percussionists and seasoned music-makers.

Chinese Drum Section, Hong Kong Synergy 24 Drum Competition
For each section:
Champion: HK$3,600 and trophy and Certificate
First Runner-up: HK$1,800 and trophy and Certificate
Second Runner-up: HK$1,200 and trophy and Certificate

International Drum Section, Hong Kong Synergy 24 Drum Competition
For each section:
Champion: HK$3,600 and trophy and Certificate
First Runner-up and Second Runner-up: trophy and Certificate

Future King of Drums Challenge
Winner: HK$3,600 and trophy and Certificate, and the chance of an artist contract as a soloist with the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra.

The offer is subject to the final decision of the Organizer.

Registration Fee: HKD 500 per team (non-refundable once registered)

Payment Methods:
Cash: Please pay in person at Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, 7/F, Sheung Wan Municipal Services Building, 345 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong. No change will be given.

Cheque: Please issue a crossed cheque payable to “Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra Ltd” and deliver or mail it to the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra.

Bank Transfer: Please transfer the payment to the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra’s Hang Seng Bank account: 388-487-688-001, Swift code: HASEHKHHXXX. For overseas transfers, handling fees should be borne by the participant. Please upload the deposit slip or transfer receipt.

Online Payment: You may scan the PayMe QR code provided within the Google Form and upload a screenshot of the payment confirmation.

Registration Method: Please complete the Google Form at: https://forms.gle/4Z5NPxPfW8Ckhvv89 and upload the relevant documents. If you are unable to access the Google Form, please email your information and proof of payment to drum@hkco.org.

Submit the registration form and payment (cheque or bank deposit slip) either by mail or in person to: Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, 7/F, Sheung Wan Municipal Services Building, 345 Queen’s Road Central, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong. Please mark the envelope with “2025 Hong Kong Synergy 24 Drum Competition”

Submission of Supplementary Documents:
All participating teams must submit the team information form, drum score, drum formation chart, consent form, and accompaniment music file (Kindergarten category only, if applicable) by 6:00 p.m. on Friday, 26 September 2025. Documents may be submitted by email, fax, or post to:
Email: drum@hkco.org
Fax: 2815 5615

Address: Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, 7/F, Sheung Wan Municipal Services Building, 345 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong 

Please indicate on the envelope: “Hong Kong Synergy 24 Drum Competition”

Late submissions will result in disqualification.

Enquiries:
Phone: 3185 1648 (Ms. Kwan)
Email: drum@hkco.org

Q: Kindergarten and primary school students differ in age and skill level. Will they compete in separate sections?
A: Unlike previous competitions, this year, for the Chinese Drum Section and the International Drum Section will be separated for kindergarten and primary school participants.

Q: Can kindergarten sections play accompaniment music during the competition?
A: Both the kindergarten sections of the Chinese Drum Section and International Drum Section are allowed to use accompaniment music. Relevant electronic documents and other supplementary documents must be submitted by 6:00 p.m. on 26 September, 2025. Late submissions may result in the orchestra reserving the final decision on playback.

Q: If an instrument has relatively low volume, such as hand drum, is amplification allowed during the live competition?
A: Participants must indicate the need for amplification on the registration form, which must be approved by the organizer before being confirmed.

Q: What are the dimensions of the competition area?

A: The competition venue measures 10 meters (width) by 7 meters (depth).

Q: Is the Future King of Drums Tournament open to everyone?
A: Everyone is welcome to join, but video recordings (without any editing or processing) must be submitted to the orchestra by 11 July 2025. Selected candidates will be notified to attend the final round in Hong Kong.

Q: If the formation changes during the performance, should the submitted drum formation chart reflect the initial starting formation?
A: Yes, the drum formation chart should illustrate the team’s initial starting formation.

Q: Can teachers lead teams for Special School/ Rehabilitation Organizations? Can team leaders under 60 lead the teams in the senior section?
A: Yes, but the judges might deduct points or exercise discretion in scoring based on the situation.

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for activities/competitions, applying for the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra Friends Club, and facilitating communication with the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra. You can make subsequent changes on your choice of receiving further information (including direct marketing materials) by sending a written unsubscribe request to the following address or contact the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra as stated below:

Address: 7/F., Sheung Wan Municipal Services Building, 345 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong
Tel.: 3185 1600
Fax: 2815 5615
E-mail: inquiries@hkco.org
Website: www.hkco.org