2026 Dunhuang Cup -- Aistralia and New Zealand Division

GUIDELINES

I. Activity Objective

The principle of the activity is fair, just, and open. The objective is to discover and promote outstanding Chinese national instrumental music works that possess cultural and artistic aesthetic value, a spirit of contemporary innovation, and are suitable for promotion by global artistic societies. The competition aims to encourage, publicize, and promote various orchestra organizations and outstanding performers who actively advocate for and advance Chinese national instrumental music art overseas.

II. Participants in the ANZ Division

Foreign Nationals: Individuals holding citizenship other than that of the People's Republic of China.
PR Long-Term Residents: Individuals holding permanent residency (PR visa type) in a country or region other than the People's Republic of China.
TR Temporary Residents: Individuals holding temporary residency (TR visa type) in a country or region other than the People's Republic of China (excluding tourist visas of 1 year or less). This includes study visas, work visas, etc.
Chinese Nationals: Chinese citizens (without overseas PR/TR status) who can travel to Australia to participate in the Sydney in-person finals on February 28, 2026.

💡 2026 “Dunhuang Cup” ANZ Division

Online Registration: From today until 00:00, January 1, 2026.

Participation Methods:

In-Person Competition: Long-term residents of Sydney (Category A Foreign Nationals, Category B PR, Category C TR), as well as Category D Chinese Nationals (without overseas PR/TR status), must participate in person.
Video Competition: Long-term residents outside the Sydney area (Category A Foreign Nationals, Category B PR, Category C TR) may submit a video if they are unable to attend the competition in person. (Examples: contestants from New Zealand, or Australian cities like Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, etc.)

Video Submission Date and Method: All contestants submitting entries via video must note "Video Competition" when registering. The organizing committee will send a recording code after January 1, 2026. Contestants must orally state the recording code during the video recording and submit the video before February 24, 2026.

Competition Date: February 28, 2026

Competition Venue: Sydney China Cultural Centre Level 1, 151 Castlereagh St Sydney NSW 2000

III. Organizing Institutions

Organizer: China Musical Instrument Association
Executive Organizer: Beijing Huaxia Xuanyin Art Communication Center
ANZ Division Executive Organizer: Australian Chinese Music Association (ACMA)
Australian Region Supporting Partner: Sydney China Cultural Centre
Co-organizer: Shanghai National Instruments Factory Co., Ltd.
Official Competition Website (China): www.cn-imc.com (Huaxia Xuanyin Art Competition Network)
Official Overseas Division Website: www.dunhuang.com.au (Australian Dunhuang Arts Centre)
Australian Region Co-supporting Partners: Australian Dunhuang Arts Centre, AIMEE'S MUSIC SCHOOL, Echo of Jade Music Collective, JULIA Guzheng Studio, Jing Yin Zheng She, M&D Music School, South Australia Yang Liu Guzheng Art School, Sydney Guzheng School, YW music.

IV. Expert Judging Panel

The panel is composed of renowned composers, conductors, performers, and educators from Australia, China, and other countries.

Chairperson of the Jury: Dr. Lu Liu A distinguished Australian Chinese Pipa music artist, integrating performance, teaching, and academic research. She is currently the Head of Ensemble Music and Deputy Acting Associate Dean Education at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, The University of Sydney; President of the Australian Pipa Society; and a Visiting Professor at Xinghai Conservatory of Music in Guangzhou. She holds a Ph.D. in Ethnomusicology from the University of Sydney.

Honorary Chairperson of the Jury: Professor Zhou Wang Professor of Guzheng and Doctoral Supervisor at the Central Conservatory of Music, Beijing; Distinguished Professor at Bard College, USA; and Distinguished Lecturer at Peking University. Professor Zhou Wang is a key representative of the Qin Zheng Shaanxi School and has spread the art form pioneered by Mr. Zhou Yanjia (her father) worldwide. Her premiere of Qín Sāng Qǔ (Qin Mulberry Melody) has been performed for heads of state multiple times, becoming a forerunner in revitalizing the Qin Zheng Shaanxi School.

Jury Expert: Yi Zhu Member of the Chinese Musicians Association and the Chinese National Orchestral Society. He began studying Pipa under performer Wen Bo as a child. In 1977, he was admitted to the Folk Music Department of the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing, studying Pipa and composition under Professors Kuang Yuzhong, Chen Zemin, Huang Xiaofei, and Zhao Xingdao. After graduating in 1983, he served as a lecturer and associate professor in the Folk Music Department of the Central Conservatory of Music and was the music director of the Central Conservatory of Music National Orchestra, leading the ensemble on tours and participating in music festivals in many countries and regions.

V. Competition Categories and Ensemble Formats

I. Solo Category

All types of Chinese national instruments, including: Guzheng, Yangqin, Pipa, Erhu, Bamboo Flute (Dizi), Xiao (vertical flute), Liuqin, Guqin, Konghou (Chinese harp), Ruan, Chinese Percussion, and others.

II. Ensemble Category

Entries must be multi-part compositions, containing two or more parts (inclusive). Unison playing (Qi Zou) and performances by identical instruments in the same part are not included in this competition category. A limited number of Western instruments (such as Cello, Double Bass, Glockenspiel, Vibraphone, or small Chime Bells) are allowed, but the number of Western instruments must not exceed one-third of the total ensemble size.

Single Instrument Ensemble Format: E.g., Guzheng Ensemble, Pipa Ensemble, Dizi Ensemble, Erhu Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, etc.
Instrument Family Combination: E.g., Plucked Strings Ensemble/Orchestra, Bowed Strings Ensemble/Orchestra, Wind Instruments Ensemble/Orchestra, Percussion Instruments Ensemble/Orchestra, etc.
Comprehensive Ensemble/Orchestra/Chamber Music: Involving different instruments and different instrument families (including Chinese regional music genres).
Crossover/Multi-Style National Instrumental Ensemble: Chinese national instruments must account for no less than half of the combination. May incorporate vocals, Western instruments, electronic instruments, etc.

💡 Special Note: All groups must ensure that their performance pieces and accompanying music absolutely do not infringe upon any third-party intellectual property or related rights. Any infringement and resulting financial or reputational loss, whether to an individual or a collective, shall be the sole responsibility of the party submitting the work, and the organizing committee and main organizer shall not be held liable.

VI. Competition Grouping and Repertoire Requirements

I. Competition Grouping

1. Non-Professional Group

Toddler Group: Born on or after January 1, 2020.
Children B Group: Born between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2019.
Children A Group: Born between January 1, 2014, and December 31, 2016.
Junior B Group: Born between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2013.
Junior A Group: Born between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2009.
Youth Group: Born between January 1, 1980, and December 31, 2006.
Children Ensemble Group: Members born on or after January 1, 2014, must account for no less than 2/3 of the group; 2-20 people/group.
Youth Ensemble Group: Members born before January 1, 2014, must account for no less than 2/3 of the group; 2-20 people/group.

2. Professional Group

Junior Group: Students of music/art secondary school or primary school affiliates, born on or after January 1, 2008.
Youth B Group: Professional students from non-top 11 Chinese conservatories and comprehensive art/music colleges, born between January 1, 1990, and December 31, 2007.
Youth A Group: Professional students from the top 11 Chinese conservatories, born between January 1, 1990, and December 31, 2007.
Ensemble Group: 2-20 people/group. 2/3 of members must be 18 years or older (2/3 of members must be professional students or performers studying at or graduated from conservatories worldwide).

💡 Special Note: Professional students currently studying at or graduated from conservatories worldwide: those who graduated more than 5 years ago may choose to register for either the Professional Group or the Non-Professional Group. Those who graduated within 5 years may not register for the Non-Professional Group.

II. Repertoire Requirements

Non-Professional Group Final: One self-selected piece, duration no more than 5 minutes. Must be performed from memory and without any form of accompaniment. The rules for the in-person competition and video submission are identical.
Professional Group Final: One self-selected piece, duration no more than 8 minutes. Must be performed from memory and without any form of accompaniment. The rules for the in-person competition and video submission are identical.

The names of contestants and ensembles/groups in this ANZ Division competition may not be changed after registration (this applies to the award and promotion lists). Ensemble/group names are suggested to be named as Institution or Unit Name + Ensemble Name (e.g., [Country/City] XXX Chamber Ensemble, [Country/City] XXX Orchestra, XXXX Academy XXX Orchestra).
Ensemble entries should prioritize works with elegant style and novel content, aiming to maximize the artistic expression of chamber music and ensembles.

💡 Special Note: Any changes to the participant's repertoire must be reported to the organizing committee two weeks prior to the event date. Judges reserve the right to stop the performance or request the performance of a specific segment; stopping the performance will not affect the final score.

VII. Competition Registration

Official Website Registration Method: Online registration must be completed before 00:00, January 1, 2026. Please log in and follow the official website for the overseas division: www.dunhuang.com.au.

Enrol please follow the link: https://www.wixforms.com/f/7395276945526621204

Phone & WeChat Consultation: Please visit http://www.dunhuang.com.au to register using a mobile number or existing account. Registration consultation phone number: +61 420 506 588 (Ms. Xia). You may also add the Australian Dunhuang customer service WeChat (ID: AUDUNHUANG) for consultation and timely updates regarding the competition.

The head (leader) of each ensemble group must handle registration centrally; individual registration by team members will not be accepted.

Final Judging Fee: Solo: AUD 158/person; Ensemble: AUD 88/person.

Results Announcement Method: Final results will be announced on the official overseas division website www.dunhuang.com.au on March 1, 2026.

Venue and Date: The ANZ Division Finals will be held in person at the Sydney China Cultural Centre in Australia on February 28, 2026.

Finals Promotion Period: Participants and teams reaching the finals may film videos, take photos, or write articles about their ensemble's story, rehearsal highlights, or member interviews (close-ups), or create promotional videos and send them to the organizing committee. The official competition website will edit and publish these materials across various platforms alongside the competition works for maximum promotion. (Promotional participation is voluntary, involves no extra fees, and does not affect judging results.)

Instrument Provision List: The organizing committee will provide Guzheng, Yangqin, Piano, and large Percussion Instruments in common tunings for the finals. Contestants must bring all other instruments themselves. Practice instruments will not be provided.

VIII. Award Settings

The finals will specially invite renowned composers, music theorists, and performers from Australia, China, and other countries to serve as judges, ensuring the authority of the competition. Awards will be given based on scores and grouping: Gold, Silver, and Bronze Awards, receiving certificates and trophies. Others will receive the Outstanding Performance Award.
Ensemble groups winning Gold, Silver, or Bronze Awards will receive both collective and individual award certificates.
The "Outstanding Instructor Award" and "Outstanding Organization Award" will also be established, and certificates will be issued.
Prize money will be awarded in this competition. The single highest-scoring contestant or team will receive the cash prize.

IX. Notes

Once registered, all contestants indicate their acceptance of these regulations and must abide by all rules of the competition.
The competition entry certificate and award certificates will be printed according to the registration information. When filling out the registration form, please carefully verify that the name matches the identification document; the individual will be solely responsible for any losses caused by errors in the form content.
The organizing committee owns the broadcasting and television rights, as well as the rights to use, publish, and distribute audiovisual products of this event within the scope of audiovisual performance. Award-winning teams have an obligation to participate in public welfare performances or international visits arranged by the organizing committee.
Contestants are responsible for the repertoire they submit. Contestants whose performance piece does not match the registered piece will not be scored. The organizing committee is not responsible for verifying the repertoire of registered groups. Should the performance repertoire not comply with the regulations, the judges reserve the right to terminate the performance, and the contestant bears all consequences. All contestants and parents must abide by the rules, respect the work arrangements of the organizing committee, and accept the judging panel's results. Any issues during the competition should be reported to the supervisory committee. The organizing committee reserves the right to disqualify anyone causing unreasonable disruption to the competition. Ensembles or members who register but withdraw due to individual reasons will not receive a refund of the judging fee.
Finalists must report 30 minutes prior to their performance time with their registration information to confirm their piece. Failure to report to the venue by the designated time will be considered an automatic withdrawal of participation.
Participants are responsible for their own travel, accommodation, and transportation expenses.
No photography, audio recording, or video recording is allowed at the event site without permission.
Safety Rules: Participants and accompanying persons are advised to purchase their own personal safety and property loss insurance. In the event of personal safety accidents or property loss during the exhibition/performance, the organizer, executive organizer, participant, and accompanying person will each bear corresponding legal responsibility.
Should the event be canceled or postponed due to force majeure, the organizing committee will announce the relevant information on the official website.
Any matters not covered herein will be supplemented by further notice.