Final Result:
Awards
Winner
Song Title
Instrument
Gold Prize
Tsunami
Alto Saxophone
Silver Prize
Fly Me To The Moon
Alto Saxophone
Bronze Prize
Mr P.C.
Tenor Saxophone

To most people, the Japanese term "Karaoke" means singing along to the melodies of popular songs. In fact it is one of a Music-Minus-One (MMO) formats in which what is minus is the vocal part. Similarly, instrumental MMO removes the playing of the lead instrument making the software a digital accompaniment for the musician to play with wherever and whenever the mood comes. Obviously it is a perfect partner for practicing too.

When speaking of competition, in a karaoke singing contest there is no hope for one to be the champion of a without a superb voice. In YAMAHA Wind Instrument Karaoke Contest 2001, however, all Chu Wing Hang, the champion, offers is his unrivalled saxophone MMO-recital.

The competition, introduced to Hongkong by Tom Lee Music for the first time, stages its final on February 3 at the Hongkong Convention and Exhibition Centre, kicks off with by a lovely oboe-clarinet prologue by five kids, who also participate the contest up to preliminary, playing Beatles "Hey Jude" and "Disney Mickey Mouse March".
   
Before war all 14 finalists came onto the stage to meet the audience. Some of them even make powerful first impression visually through remarkable appearance, on themselves and their instruments! We have a little Qing Dynasty Princess, a feminine flute with a pink bow and Mr. Eyebrow with a watchful sax!
   
Chung Long Sai
Jonathan Lui Tsz Yat
Joey Chan Wing Chong, the youngest contestant aged 9
Diana Tai Cin Man
     

From "Sonata J.S.Bach Flute BWV1030", the classical piece, to Japanese pop "First Love", audibly various kinds of songs are performed, composing an extremely enjoyable medley of wind music.

Every finalist simply play their best in different styles but delivering the same message: "I'm the one!" Their efforts are generously rewards by applause and cheers. Exactly as the master of ceremony says, "the flutes swoon me sweetly while the saxs swing my dancing rhythms inside out." Even more dramatic is that when finalist No.10 Chu Wing Hang has done, the totally natural but enormous audience response does pre-announce the contest result!


Fukui plays on both alto and soprano saxophones.

 When competition finishes and judges withdraw for result finalization, music keeps going by Fukui Kenta, the winner of the 1st All Japan Band Instrument Karaoke Contest in 1999. Fukui is young, both physically and musically - 22 year old of age and 6 year old in saxophone. His music intoxicates the whole audience who desperately beg for an encore with thunderous applauses. No wonders he beats almost 1,200 players from all over Japan to get there!
 
Even the most impressive guest in a competition is still second best when the moment of result announcement finally arrives. Tyson Wong who plays "Mr. PC" wins the Bronze and the Silver goes to Siu Hin Chuen, whose song is "Fly me to the Moon". The Gold winner, without disappointing the audience, is Chu Wing Hang who plays the Japanese song "Tsunami". Though so much expected, the audience claps hands so vigorously loudly and continuously

that entire hall is filled with the greatest excitements a contest would ever created.

Losing counts of time I find the air is calm again but becomes sweet and harmonious for the beautiful music is still echoing within.

A Little Chat with the Winners

Gold Prize Winner : Chu Wing Hang


Chu Wing Hang is in great pleasure when accepting the gold prize. He, however, feels surprised more. "Many of the finalists are my friends. They all play well. I indeed have a poor chance of winning."

Besides, he has been struggling with a difficult tone in the song he selects for competition. "A high tone in "Tsunami" is so difficult to play that I can't help worrying. On the stage there is nothing in my mind but this tone. I was not calm until I played it smoothly." More is on his mind when results are being revealed. "I appreciate Wesley Cheng, finalist No.3, very much and actually we use to play in the same band. His chance is good. When silver and bronze prizes are announced, I become confused as I do think Wesley should win, but at the same time I am certain that my performance is quite good."

Fortunately the win-lose does not matter their strong and sincere friendship.

Chu has won the School Music Festival too. He continues his pursuit of music in the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts after graduated from the Chinese University of Hong Kong. His winning song "Tsunami" is a Japanese top hit and has been rearranged locally as a canto-pop sung by William So Wing Hong.

The gold prize is presented Frank Lee of Tom Lee Music and Hasegawa Munemichi
of Yamaha.






Champion Chu in Japan
Chu Wing Hang represented Hong Kong to attend the "All Japan Band Instrument Karaoke Contest 2001" held on March 18 at Quest Hall, Harajuku as one of the guest performers.


Silver Prize Winner : Siu Hin Chuen


Same as Chu Wing Hang, Siu is glad to receive the prize even unsatisfied with his performance, "My play could be better, especially in tone color. I mark myself at 70 only."

He chooses the classical jazz "Fly me to the Moon" for its simple but attractive melody.

Simple but not easy.

Siu has been preparing himself and working on the piece from last November. Extensively he rearranges the song in order to make it more enjoyable and indulgingly he practices playing regardless the lips finally hurt." He bitterly recalls.

Siu does appreciate the other 2 winners, "Champion Chu is excellent in skills, performance and choice of song. His tone color outstands mine a lot and it is just one of many aspects. I also like Tyson's make-up!"

Since Siu Hin Chuen is not satisfied with his performance, he has already decided to compete again in next year. "Perhaps there will be more competitors then and the chance of winning could be even less!" he jokes.

He has just held his concert in the Hong Kong Cultural Centre and is now focusing all efforts on the coming Jazz exam.


The silver prize is presented Kwan Kin Sang, Senior Music Officer of Music Office






 

 


Bronze Prize Winner : Wong Chiu Kan, Tyson


The Bronze winner does impress people, first by a powerful name, Tyson and then his 8-year self-learnt award-winning skills on saxophone. His passion on music and in the instrument is admirable.

Tyson takes a month leave from job in order to prepare for the competition but he is sorry for his performance. "I'm not excited at all. I 'm not satisfied with myself as I haven't achieved those many special touches, such as overtone, that I've been preparing so hard before. I mark myself 70 only."

Such criticism is for his own. He does appreciate "Ah Hang" (Champion Chu) who is a friend and a band-mate. "His song is good."

When speaking of the competition piece, "Mr. PC", which is of fast tempo Tyson expects it will differentiate him from other contestant. On the other hand he is afraid that the audience does not like it because this is not a pop. To outstand it, he gets help from two friends to rearrange the song by adding more drums and basses and change the beat to even faster, from 260 to 290. When it comes to live on stage, Tyson admits, "almost 70 percent of the performance is improvisation!"

He also recognizes the performances of the youngest contestant, Joey Chan and Wesley, who is a friend too. "Joey is very brave and Wesley performs very good. He buys a new saxophone for this competition. I assume his loss is probably due to insufficient preparation."

Indeed, well preparation is one of the many doors towards success. Tyson has already started his for the next year competition!
The bronze prize is
presented Ronald Ng, the professional composer and music producer.