We’re thrilled to present the inaugural Silk Road Orchestration Competition, Concert & Dinner! On December 5th, we will gather at the Shanghai No. 1 Banquet Hall (250 Valley Blvd, San Gabriel, CA) with an exquisite 11-piece Chinese chamber ensemble plus conductor—featuring Dizi, Zhongruan, Pipa x 2, Guzheng, Yangqin, Erhu x 2, Cello, Double Bass, and Chinese Percussion.
Fifteen selected composers will have the rare opportunity to have their orchestrations rehearsed, performed live, and captured via professional audio recording by premier musicians, alongside constructive feedback from distinguished guest judges.
One of our primary missions is to empower composers to work directly with traditional Chinese instruments, bridge acoustic sonic exploration with live performance, and celebrate cultural innovation. In addition to a live performing and recording of their work, selected composers will be awarded an official certificate and trophy, with the Top 3 winners earning a commission to orchestrate a full-scale Chinese orchestral work for the Zhonghua Chinese Orchestra’s 2027 concert season.
Important Dates
- Submission Deadline：November 16, 2026 (11:59 PM PST)
- Finalists Announced：November 23, 2026
- Live Event & Check-in：December 5, 2026 @ 3:00 PM Check-in
Event Overview
The Silk Road Orchestration Competition seeks to discover composers and orchestrators with keen orchestral thinking and an exploratory sonic vision. It offers a valuable platform to hear original Chinese chamber arrangements realized live by master musicians and explore the expressive horizons of traditional instruments. Fifteen selected works will receive live ensemble performance, and professional audio recording.
- Venue: Shanghai No. 1 Banquet Hall, 250 Valley Blvd, San Gabriel, CA
- Guest Adjudicators:
- Alex Lu
- Dr. Steve Rothstein
- Dr. Xuesi Xu
- Kerwin Young
- Jiawei Shen
Required Themes and Instrumentation
1. Designated Traditional Chinese Theme
Participants must select one of the following themes for their arrangement, duration must not exceed 3 minutes:
- Drunken Ecstasy
- The Flowing Little River
- The General’s Command
2. 11-Member Chamber ensemble plus Conductor
- Dizi × 1
- Zhongruan × 1
- Pipa × 2
- Guzheng × 1
- Yangqin × 1
- Erhu × 2
- Cello × 1
- Double bass × 1
- Percussion × 1 (Chinese Bass Drum, 2 Large Chinese Gongs, Chinese Bao Gong, 4 Chinese Barrel Drums, 5 Chinese Woodblocks, Peking Opera Gong, Small Chinese Cymbals)
Honors and Awards
- 15 selected works: Each selected work will receive a live performance and professional audio recording, an official certificate of recognition, commemorative trophy, and feedback from the guest judges.
- Top three winners: The three winners will receive a commission opportunity to orchestrate a large-scale Chinese orchestral work for the Zhonghua Chinese Orcehstra’s 2027 concert.
Fees
- Selected Finalist Fee: $250 per selected work (includes rehearsal, performance, professional recording, and one complimentary banquet dinner seat for the composer)
- General Audit & Dinner Seat: $50 per person (includes full session auditing and full Shanghai No. 1 dinner)
Registration and Submission Guidelines
Registration information
- Name
- Title
- Selected theme
- Duration (maximum 3 minutes)
Required submission materials
- Score: Single PDF file containing the complete conductor score.
- Mockup audio: An MP3 audio file.
Strict Blind Review Policy
To maintain absolute fairness and integrity throughout adjudication, no composer names, affiliations, or identifying markers may appear anywhere on the score PDF or audio MP3 file. Only the title of the work should appear on the cover and score pages. Entries containing identifying marks will be disqualified immediately.
丝绸之路配器比赛面向拥有敏锐配器听觉并勇于探索声音的作曲家与配器者。比赛为参赛者提供难得的机会，让他们亲耳聆听自己为中国民族乐器创作的编配作品接受现场排练与演出。15首入选作品均将获得现场乐团排练、演出以及专业录音。
重要日期
- 报名与投稿截止日期：11月16日
- 入选作品公布日期：11月23日（入选作曲家将通过电子邮件收到通知）
- 现场活动日期：12月5日，下午3:00开始签到
活动概览
- 地点：上海1号宴会厅，250 Valley Blvd, San Gabriel, CA
- 特邀评委：
- Alex Lu
- Dr. Steve Rothstein
- Dr. Xuesi Xu
- Jiawei Shen
- Kerwin Young
指定曲目与编制
1. 指定中国传统曲目
参赛者须从以下曲目中任选一首进行编配：
- 《酒狂》
- 《小河淌水》
- 《将军令》
2. 室内乐团编制（共11人 + 指挥）
- 笛子 × 1
- 中阮 × 1
- 琵琶 × 2
- 古筝 × 1
- 扬琴 × 1
- 二胡 × 2
- 大提琴 × 1
- 低音提琴 × 1
- 打击乐 × 1（中国大鼓、大锣x2、包锣、排鼓x4、木鱼x5、京锣、小钹）
荣誉与奖项
- 15首入选作品：每首入选作品均将获得现场演出及专业录音、官方荣誉证书、奖杯，以及特邀评委的专业点评。
- 前三名获奖者：三位获奖者将获得委约机会，为美国中华国乐团2027年音乐会编配一部大型中国管弦乐作品。
费用
- 演出与录音费用：每首入选作品暂定收费250美元，其中包括入选作曲家的一份晚餐席位。
- 现场观摩与晚餐：每人50美元，包括全程活动入场及上海1号精美晚餐。
报名与投稿指南
报名信息
- 姓名
- 电子邮箱
- 作品名称
- 所选主题
- 作品时长（最长3分钟）
必须提交的材料
- 总谱：PDF格式的完整总谱。
- 模拟音频：MP3格式的音频文件。
匿名评审规则
为确保评审过程公平公正，提交的PDF总谱与MP3模拟音频中不得出现参赛者姓名。总谱封面及内页仅可显示作品名称。包含个人身份信息的投稿可能会被取消参赛资格。
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