Workshop raises GBA integration questions due to local-only policy

The “Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Song Writers Quest 2026–2027” officially launched yesterday, but its accompanying training workshop, positioned as a pathway to the regional competition, is open exclusively to residents, sparking questions about the event’s commitment to cross-border exchange.

The competition, organized by the Macau Association of Composers, Authors and Publishers (MACA) with support from copyright bodies in mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau, follows last year’s inaugural edition.

While the songwriting contest itself welcomes creators from the Greater Bay Area’s (GBA) cities, the preparatory workshop, which runs from September through December, accepts only Macau residents aged 16 or above, with just 30 spots available.

At the press conference at the Macao New Chinese Youth Association auditorium, MACA deputy manager Rachel Choi Calangi confirmed the policy during a media Q&A session.

When asked whether the workshop could be opened to participants from other GBA cities to enhance regional exchange, Choi said the organization is “prioritizing Macau participants” due to limited capacity. “By training residents, we hope to equip local talent to compete with creators from elsewhere,” she added.

The workshop, led by course leader Joe Lei and featuring instructors including Jason Chang, Oscar Lee, Jason Huang, and Wilson Szeto, covers composition, lyric writing, arrangement, recording, mixing, vocal techniques, and music copyright.

Classes are held on Monday and Thursday evenings from September 3 to December 31, with a fee of MOP4,800. Students with a 70% attendance rate will receive a 70% tuition refund.

Meanwhile, the competition’s submission period opens early next year, tentatively from February 15 to March 12, 2027, with the requirement that at least 50% of each participating team be residents of the GBA.

Finalist announcements are scheduled for May 2027, with eight entries selected for the finals in August. Awards include Champion, Best Composition, Best Lyrics, and Best Performance, among others.

Former participant Yoyo Wu, who joined the previous workshop with a background in classical piano and later discovered her talent for lyric writing, shared her experience at the press conference.

Wu said she initially intended to learn composition but was guided toward lyric writing by the instructors.

She cited improved creative techniques, methods for overcoming creative blocks, and insights into the music industry’s commercial aspects as key takeaways.

She also noted the value of collaborating with musicians from diverse backgrounds, adding that she found long-term creative partners through the program.

The competition will conclude with performances of winning songs at two Macau schools between September and November 2027.

Tickets for the finals are free and available at designated locations across Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau.