The Highest Realm of Singing Stems from a Noble Character (Photos)

By Cai Ju

(Clearwisdom.net) The Third Chinese International Vocal Competition hosted by NTDTV drew a close at 12:30 a.m. on August 2, 2009. Geng Haolan and Yuan Qu won the Women's Gold Award and Men's Gold Award respectively.

Award ceremony for the Third Chinese International Vocal Competition

Tenor Yuan Qu, Gold Award winner in the male division of the 2009 NTDTV Chinese International Vocal Competition

Soprano Geng Haolan is crowned the gold award recipient for the 2009 NTDTV Chinese International Vocal Competition

After two days of intense competition, the finalists, including ten female contestants and six male contestants, performed outstandingly and won warm applause from the live audience.

The Judges' Committee Chairman, Guan Guimin said, "The competition gets better and better each year as contestants come to a better understand our mission. The competition aims to promote authentic Chinese vocal art, without Party culture factors. Now the people who come to compete know that we are searching for real artists. This year's contestants are of high caliber, and the finalists are highly gifted."

Mr. Guan said that the foremost requirement for a "real artist" is good character. The final score of a contestant will be judged according to his or her overall performance during the three-day competition.

Mr. Guan concluded that participation is the most important. NTDTV's Chinese International Vocal Competition set up a stage for Chinese people around the world to exhibit their talents, initiating a great event for Chinese authentic vocal art. Winning an award is not the most important thing; most important is to discuss and learn from contestants from around the world. In this environment, one will definitely upgrade his or her realm.

Ji Li from Columbia College in Missouri had studied bel canto style singing in China. She continued majoring in vocal art after going abroad and studying at Columbia College. She was glad to have such an opportunity to take part in the competition. She was moved upon seeing so many Chinese fans of vocal art from around the world get together. She was also encouraged when seeing other contestants' maturity in skills and techniques.

Ji Li appreciated that NTDTV's vocal competition requires contestants to sing in bel canto style. She said that the "bel canto" is a refined art. The trained voices are velvet like, brilliant and charming, and this can also protect vocalists from damaging their voices. Singing Chinese songs in bel canto style pushes the Chinese culture onto the world stage, which has great significance. Her vocal art teacher once told her that skills can only help one reach a certain level. If vocalists want to rise to a high level, they must have great character and a high moral standard. Only noble character can shape a truly great vocalist. The highest realm of singing is determined by one's character.

Jeff, manager of a large chain store is a classical music fan. He was moved by the contestants' brilliant performance. He said that these contestants are of high caliber, and their songs touch people's hearts. He enjoyed their singing. In particular, No. 536 contestant Yuan Qu's singing voice has penetrating power, involving many emotions, and is very special.

Kate (left)and her mother Svetlana (right) praise the contestants of the Chinese International Vocal Competition for their talents

Among the audience were Kate Klebanova, a former pianist, and her mother Svetlana Klebanova, a 40-year vocal coach at the Ukrainian Kharkov Conservatory in Ukraine, who was on a visit in New York. Like Jeff, they were a bit surprised to see that there were so many talented and gifted Chinese singers in the competition.

Svetlana said that these contestants had professional training, and some of them have great potential. Singer Kai Yi Min is mature in her skills. Yuan Qu's singing is very special.

Svetlana, who teaches many Chinese students, said that she is planning to encourage her students to participate in next year's vocal competition.

Kate thought that the Chinese Vocal Competition hosted by NTDTV is of great significance. It expressed the Chinese culture through a western style of singing, and introduced it to New York and the world's stage.

Winners of the final round were announced after the Shen Yun performance at SUNY Purchase Performing Arts Center in New York, and all the winners came onto the stage to receive their awards and accept the audience's enthusiastic congratulations.

Chinese version available at http://www.minghui.ca/mh/articles/2009/8/3/205833.html

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