The initial review for the “6th Subsidy Programme for the Production of Original Song Albums”, organised by the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC, from the Portuguese acronym), has been concluded recently. The jury has selected six entrants under the album category and ten entrants under the mini album category for the second review of the programme. The selected candidates are (in arbitrary order): under the album category – Wong Hin Cheng, Tang Chi Fong, Filipe António da Silva Baptista, Sou Io Kuong, Leong Chi Long, and Loi Hou Kun; under the mini album category – Nunes Pestana Da Silva Caetano, João, Io Lou Ian, Pang Weng Sam, Si Iek Chun, Lei U Fui, Lam Shou En, Ian Hao I, Roberto Madan, Chan I and Tam Pou Ieng. Selected candidates who successfully pass the second review will be granted a subsidy of up to MOP270,000 and MOP135,000 respectively for the music production of the selected album. Selected candidates will be notified by IC via telephone and email. The date and venue for the second review will be announced later.
Launched in 2014, the Programme aims to cultivate local music talent, support the production and promotion of original song albums, encourage musicians to produce and release more outstanding works, and boost the development of the local music industry. A total of 35 eligible applications were received this year. The adjudicating panel has selected six entrants under the album category and ten entrants under the mini album category for the second review, based on the following criteria: level of composition and lyrics, level of arrangement and production, performance level of the album artist, production concept and budget rationale.
Candidates for the second review must present the album production plan to the adjudicating panel during the second review. The adjudicating panel will select a maximum of three beneficiaries under the album category and six beneficiaries under the mini album category based on multiple criteria such as the qualifications of the team, production proposal, album publicity and promotional plan. Each selected album will be granted a subsidy of up to MOP270,000 and MOP135,000 respectively as well as professional advice from members of the jury. The adjudicating panel is composed of celebrated professionals, including music producer and composer Eric Kwok Wai Leung, lyrist Chan Wing Him and A&R Director at Warner Music Hong Kong Robin Chi from Hong Kong, as well as music producers and arrangers Howe Chen and Han Li Kang from Taiwan.
For details of the programme, please visit IC’s website ( www.icm. gov.mo/cn/CCI-Subsidy ). For enquiries, please contact Mr Lo or Ms Chong, staff members of IC, through tel. no. 8399 6275 or 8399 6265 during office hours.