Debra Li

    debra_lidan@163.com

    WHAT instrument type can better bring out the passion and vigor of youth than percussion? Ten years after holding the first piano concerto competition, the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra (SSO) is now staging a competition to promote percussion in a bid to spot young talent.

    Those aged between 6 and 20 can register in four categories of competitions, including jazz drumming, military drumming, marimba and Chinese percussion. They will compete in different age groups.

    Contestants can also enroll in group competitions, performing jazz drums, military drums, chamber music percussion or traditional Chinese percussion.

    Those enrolling in the competition are entitled to attend master courses July 9 and 10 at SSO taught by Ding Dao, a member of the orchestra, Li Wa, a teacher at Shenzhen Arts School, renowned local percussionist Michael Lu, Wang Tao, lecturer at Shenzhen Polytechnic, and Rudolf Shamsutdinov, chief timpani player with SSO.

    The top six winners in each category will be given the chance to participate in an international percussion competition to be held in Tianjin in North China between Aug. 18 and 22.

    Everyone enrolling for the local competition will be given two tickets to the first Shenzhen International Percussion Art Festival concerts to be held between October and December in town.