This document contains the rules of the Voice Competition that the Hong Kong Professional Vocalists’ Association organises in 2026, with Grand Final dated on 19 Jan 2027.

• Admission: Singers of all gender and nationalities are invited to enter the competition.

• Age Limits: There are no age limit to this competition.

• Registration: All applications must be made using the link to Art-mate on the Hong Kong Professional Vocalists’ Association website

Deadline of the application: 12 noon (GMT) on 15 November 2026

Candidates will receive an e‑mail confirming that their application has been submitted

The application fee of USD 130 is payable once the application is complete and must be paid via the same online form. It will not be refunded under any circumstances.

The General Standard Terms and Conditions have been acknowledged and approved by the candidate by completion of online registration and payment.

Preliminary Round

• Repertoire: For the preliminary round, candidates have to prepare one opera aria or one art song of their own choice, to be sung from memory and original language

• Only video submission are accepted in Preliminary Round, applicants will be asked to submit links to videos via email after completing the online application. Although we accept various submission methods, applicants are encouraged to upload the video onto YouTube with the privacy set to “unlisted”.

• Results of the preliminary round: All singers who have submitted videos will be notified within 10 working days if they have been accepted to take part in the semi-final in Hong Kong

Semi-Final

• Admission: Only singers who have been selected in the preliminary round are entitled to take part in the semi-final rounds.

• Repertoire: candidates have to prepare two opera aria of their own choice, to be sung from memory and original language.

• Competition mode: Competition will take place in Hong Kong, at the recital hall of Hong Kong Professional Vocalists’ Association. The hall has a capacity of 100 audience and a grand piano.

• Pianist: There will be an official accompanist, but you are free to bring a pianist of your choice at your own expense.

• Vocal score: Please bring your vocal score with you for the pianist.

• Travel subsidy: Travel subsidy will be provided based on financial needs and travel distance. If you are accepted into semi-final, we will ask for relevant documents and decide to provide a certain amount of subsidy, with a maximum amount up to:
  If you are travelling from ASIA to Hong Kong: 300 USD
  If you are travelling from EUROPE to Hong Kong: 800 USD
  If you are travelling from USA or other approximate regions to Hong Kong: 1000 USD

• Results of the semi-final round: Result of the semi-final round will be announced on 18 Jan 2027 9am Hong Kong Time on the website of Hong Kong Professional Vocalists’ Association. 

• Masterclass opportunities: Semi-finalists, regardless of the competition results, might be invited to participate in masterclass taught by the jury on 18 Jan 2027 afternoon.

Final

• Repertoire: candidates have to prepare two opera aria of their own choice, to be sung from memory and original language. (The repertoire should be already decided before semi-final)

• Competition mode: Final will take place in the auditorium of Ko Shan Theatre on 19 Jan 2027 7:30pm. The hall has a seating capacity of 500. The final will be presented as a concert, finalists will be invited to sing with the presence of audience.

• Rehearsal: The final is accompanied by orchestra and finalists are expected to rehearse with the orchestra on 18/19 Jan 2027.

• Results of the Final: Result of the final round will be announced at the end of the competition.
  

• There will be four awardees in the competition and they will receive cash prize and operatic engagements

• Grand Opera Award: 1500 USD

• Second Prize: 1000 USD

• Third Prize: 500 USD

• Best Audience Award: 300 USD

• Performance Opportunities: Engaged as soloists in 2027-2028 season, in upcoming opera productions by:

  • Hong Kong Professional Vocalists Association

  • Musica Viva (HK)

  • Narnia Festival (Italy)

  • Upon mutual agreement, winners will be assigned suitable roles, they will be engaged professionally, meaning that they will receive monetary contract to perform in the productions.

1. Age will be determined solely by the year of birth. Contestants born in the same year will be considered the same age, regardless of the month of birth. For example, individuals born in January 2012 and those born in September 2012 will be regarded as the same age for the competition.

2. Contestants must choose repertoire that aligns with their vocal abilities. There are no language restrictions on the repertoire, and contestants are not limited to classical vocal compositions.

3. Contestants may choose to use live piano accompaniment provided by the Organizer. If using the live accompanist, contestants must submit their selected competition repertoire sheet music to info@hkprovocal.com at least one week before the competition date. Additionally, contestants may have a brief rehearsal with the accompanist at the competition venue 20 minutes before the start of the competition.

4. Application forms that are incomplete, lack payment of the registration fee, or are missing required information will be deemed invalid.

5. The scheduling of dates, times, performance order, and venue for all categories will be solely arranged by the Organizer. Participants shall not object.

6. If a contestant is unable to attend the competition on the date and time specified in the notification email, they may apply to reschedule their competition time once within the specified deadline. The application must be submitted via email from the registered email address used during registration, providing a valid reason and supporting documents for approval by the Organizer. This allows the staff to record and follow up on the request. The Organizer reserves the final right to arrange and adjust the competition schedule.

7. The Organizer reserves the right to adjust, modify, or cancel any competition arrangements when necessary.

8. Contestants must bring the following valid documents for identity verification. If a contestant fails to present valid identification to the event assistant during their allotted competition time, the organizer reserves the right to disqualify the contestant.

9. After check-in, participants should remain in the venue while waiting for their turn. If the assistant calls the participant to perform and receives no response, the Organizer reserves the right to disqualify the participant.

10. No person or party who has not been authorized by the Organizer may take photos, videos, or make any kind of recordings at any session of the competitions. The copyrights of all audio and visual recordings of the competition are deemed the property of the Organizer. 

11. The Organizer reserves the right to disqualify contestants who fail to meet the requirements for competition or who violate the regulations.

12. All applications must include valid payment proof, such as a screenshot of an online payment. Failure to provide proof due to the loss of a screenshot will result in the application not being processed.

13. All fees are non-refundable once paid, unless the competition is completely cancelled due to special circumstances. In cases such as rule violations, illness, personal reasons, or school or personal activities, no refunds will be issued for absence from the competition.

14. Participants agree to the disclosure of their data (name, contact details) to agencies, opera and concert houses, festivals etc. only for professional contact purposes.

15. The jury reserves the right to refrain from awarding a prize altogether or to divide a prize. The decision of the jury is incontestable. The Hong Kong Professional Vocalists’ Association cannot guarantee that all rounds of the competition will be held in front of the complete and entire jury. The jury reserves the right to listen to excerpts of the presented arias only.

16. The winners invited to perform overseas will have the expenses covered, which includes accommodation during the performance period, round-trip airfare, and costs related to the concert or opera performance. Other personal expenses and additional costs are not included.

17. The Organizer reserves the right to make the final decision on all details, competitions, prizes, and performance-related information. Any changes are subject to adjustment without prior notice.