“MACA Song Writers Quest Online 2020” Promotes Original Music

（Macau, 14 November 2020）The "MACA Online Song Writers Quest 2020" was hosted by Macau Association of Composers, Authors & Publishers (MACA) on 14 November (Saturday), 3:00pm at the Macao Young Entrepreneur Incubation Centre (MYEIC). The event has been held for eight years since 2013. It is committed to promote the development of original music in Macau and discover outstanding talents in music creation. It has been widely recognized and got a good response from music field. Affected by COVID-19 this year, many music events in Macau have been cancelled, however MACA believes that pop music is the mark of an era, thus another mode has been used to conduct this year’s competition. This year’s event cannot gather participants to perform their songs on the stage, and it is inconvenient to gather a large number of audiences to watch the competition, but the finalists have the opportunity to perform at major scenic spots of Macau and film into music videos. The video premiered on the day of the competition. Judges from Hong Kong met with the contestants on site through video connection, and commented with the finalists and finally generates the awards. The music videos will be widely promoted through online platforms and strive to let more audiences in Macau and overseas to hear these excellent original music, and also plays a certain role in promoting Macau's culture and tourisim attractions. It is hoped that Macau's economy, tourism and all industries will recover as soon as possible.

The judging panel composes of Hong Kong composer, arranger & music producer Schumann; composer, arranger & music producer Ng Chung Hang Harry; composer, lyricist and arranger Jim Lau and composer, lyricist and music tutor Joe Lei. 7 shortlisted works out of nearly 70 contested songs were selected to complete for the champion, 1st and 2nd runner-up, the best song composition, the best lyrics and my favorite song. The 7 finalists are 01 Make It Real (composer Kelvin Shen, lyric by Angel Fong, Kelvin Shen); 02 Not Only Blue (composer Guoch, lyric by Silping. T); 03 Bottom Out (composer Zachary Kong, lyric by Ondina Chan); 04 Subconscious (composer Ken So, lyric by Jericho); 05 2020 (compose and lyric by Cheng Man Cheng Kevin); 06 Deep Sea Parasite (composer Leong Chi Long, lyric by Lio Chun Long) and 07 It Has Been A Long Time (compose and lyric by Cass Lai).

The contestants expressed that format of this competition is different from the past. It is a very special and meaningful experience to have the opportunity to perform their works in outdoor attractions in Macau and make it into a music video. People surrounding watched, gave applause or thumbs up to praise the work and is very happy that their music is recognized. Many contestants also said that Macau has a lot of beautiful original music but just lack of a stage to be heard. MACA Song Writers Quest is a platform of opportunity to shine and show yourself extraordinarily. It can let more people know Macau original music, learn creative skills from the judges, get to know more outstanding original music creators of Macau and enhance the opportunities for cooperation, communication and creation. On the day of the competition, scores were given by the judging panel who also commented each music work on the spot, then the winners of each award were finally selected, they are the champion 2020 (composer and lyric by Cheng Man Cheng Kevin); 1st runner-up Not Only Blue (composer Guoch, lyric by Silping T.); 2nd runner-up Deep Sea Parasite (composer Leong Chi Long, lyric by Lio Chun Long); each of them will receive a prize of 12,000, 8,000, 5,000 Macau Patacas and a trophy respectively. The Best Song Composition Award 2020 (compose and lyric by Cheng Man Cheng Kevin); The Best Lyrics Award Deep Sea Parasite (composer Leong Chi Long, lyric by Lio Chun Long); the winner will receive 3,000 Macau Patacas and a trophy. Winner of My Favourite Song Award which is selected by the audience is It Has Been A Long Time (compose and lyric by Cass Lai); they will receive 3,000 Macau Patacas and a trophy.

Guests who attended MACA Song Writers Quest include Lam Wan Nei Olivia, President of the Administrative Committee of the Cultural Industries Fund; Cheang Hio Man, Head of the Department for Intellectual Property Rights of Macao Economic Bureau; Kuong Chon Mei, Head of the Division for Planning and Developing Cultural and Creative Industries of Macao Cultural Affairs Bureau; Cheang Wa Kam, Action Team Officer of IPR Investigation Division of Intellectual Property Rights of Macao Customs; Ho Hoi Ieng, Supervisor of Centre of Educational Resources of Education and Youth Affairs Bureau; Lei Wai Kin, Deputy Officer of the Culture and Recreation Committee of União Geral das Associações dos Moradores de Macau; João Kruss Gomes, Chairman; Ho Chon Ian and Tou Chak Seng, Members of the Board of Directors and Ung Kuoc Iang, CEO of Macau Association of Composers, Authors & Publishers (MACA).

Photo caption: Photo taken with all contestants and guests

Photo caption: Guest present awards to champion.