Level Up Your Skills:
New Music and Interactive Entertainment Competition for Secondary School and Post-Secondary Students
What is New Music?
"New Music" is a relatively broad term, often used to describe music from the 20th and 21st centuries, especially those pieces that break away from traditional music theory and structure. New Music covers a diverse range of types and styles, from avant-garde experimental music to electronic music. Features of New Music include but are not limited to:

  • Innovative Musical Language: Composers of New Music often explore non-traditional musical languages and techniques, such as using unusual scales, chords, or rhythmic structures.

  • Experimental Nature: Creators of New Music are often willing to experiment with new sounds, instruments, or production techniques, and often combine music with other art forms (like visual arts or theatre).

  • Multicultural Influences: Many New Music works are influenced by musical traditions from around the world, and incorporate these elements into their compositions.

  • Technological Influence: With the advent of electronic music and computer music, many New Music composers have started using these new technological means to create music.

Guided by our mentors, students will work together to create interactive projects that incorporate new and innovative music forms, including but not limited to interactive games, electronic, hip-hop, and experimental music. The workshops will strengthen their interpersonal skills, problem-solving, and critical thinking. Also, an HKMU Artist-in-residency will work together with the groups to enhance their work.
Objectives
The objective of this competition is to trigger secondary school and post-secondary students' interest in new music by inviting them to create new music and interactive entertainment experiences. This competition aims to:

  • Cultivate creativity and enhance technical skills among secondary school and Post-Secondary students.

  • Explore the intersection between music and interactive entertainment.

  • Establish a platform for students to exhibit their talents.

  • Build a network of learners, educators, and professionals in new music.

Who can join?
The competition is open to all secondary school (Secondary School Group) and post-secondary (Post-Secondary Group) students who are interested in new music and interactive entertainment. Students must join the competition in a team of at least two.
Competition details
The competition consisted of 6 phases:

  1. Idea Proposal Submission Phase [Deadline: 31st March 2024] : Each team should submit their idea proposal via email two months after the launch of the competition.

  2. Shortlisting and Mentor Assignment Phase [4th March 2024] : A judging committee will shortlist the applications and assign a mentor to each team. The qualified team will receive a confirmation email.

  3. Development Phase [Submission Deadline: 7th May 2024] : Accepted teams will have approximately three months to develop their idea with the support of their mentors.

  4. Live Demonstration, Presentation Phase, Judging Phase [11th May 2024] : Each group will conduct a live demonstration and presentation on-site in HKMU. The judging committee will select the top 3 groups' winners and determine the potential group based on a list of judging criteria (please refer to a later section).

  5. Mini Workshop Phase [Mid-May until early July 2024] : The potential groups will be invited to join the mini workshop held by a HKMU Artist-in-residency / NMIE programme team to enhance their technical and design skills.

  6. Showcase Phase [HKMU Creative Arts Gradshow 2024] : The top 3 and potential groups will be considered to join our CA Gradshow 2024 to showcase their work to the public. An award ceremony will be held during CA Gradshow 2024.

Judging Criteria
All project submissions will be judged based on various criteria, including but not limited to:

  1. Interactive Experience: The engagement and enjoyment of the interactive entertainment experience to the audiences.

  2. Innovation: The originality and creativity of the project.

  3. Execution: The overall quality and craftsmanship of the interactive entertainment experience, encompassing game design, user interface, audiovisual elements, and the seamless integration of music and interactivity.

  4. Technical know-how: The effective use of technology in the project.

  5. Adherence to the New Music Theme: How well the interactive entertainment experience incorporates and represents new music elements, showcasing a deep understanding and meaningful integration of music-related concepts.

  6. Artistic Expression: The depth and originality of the artistic expression conveyed through the interactive entertainment experience, capturing the essence and emotional impact of the new music elements.

  7. Quality of storytelling: The degree to which the interactive entertainment experience presents a cohesive and engaging narrative that aligns with the chosen new music elements, enhancing the overall storytelling aspect of the experience.

  8. Team collaboration: The effectiveness of collaboration and teamwork within the group, including the division of tasks, effective communication, and the overall synergy between team members and their mentors.

  9. Quality of presentation: The professionalism and presentation quality of the project.

Prizes
Top 3 Winners:
                                 Trophy
                                 Novel Musical Instrument
Merit Awards:
                                 Book Coupons
Eligibility and Rules
  • The competition is open to all secondary school and post-secondary students.
  • Interactive entertainment experiences must be new-music related.
  • Groups must consist of at least 2 students.
  • Groups must submit their final work at the end of the development phase.
  • The judging committee's decision is final.

The competition was granted funding from the “Self-financing Post-secondary Education Fund Enhancement and Start-up Grant Scheme” of the Education Bureau.

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