(July 20, 2004, Taipei) Following two successful “Bank SinoPac Young Artist Showcase”, the event has become one of the most prestigious musical competition among students and teachers in the music community in Taiwan. The deadline to register for the 2004 event will be by the end of this month. All of the young musicians aged between 15 and 23, specialized in piano and woodwind instruments, including flute, clarinet, oboe and bassoon, are welcome to participate. All the finalists in the event will be able to perform with the National Symphony Orchestra and its highly proclaimed Conductor, Chien Wen-Pin.

Since the first “Bank SinoPac Young Artist Showcase” in 2001, co-sponsored by Bank SinoPac and Taipei Philharmonic Radio Station, has selected a number of talented musicians with high potentials, many of them begin already began to achieve great accomplishment. Chen Zi-Yi and Lin Jing-Chun, champions of the piano category in 2001, are now studying in Conservatoive de Paris and the Graduate School of Music, Tunghai University, respectively. Wu Tien-Hsin, winner of the violin category, started to attend the Curtis Institute of Music in USA last year, and she has came back to perform with Taipei Symphony Orchestra and the famous conductor, Lu Shao-Chia several times. Wu Tien-Hsin also performs on a pro-bono basis in various hospitals. Kuo Wei-Ting, who won the top prize in the string instrument category in 2003, graduated from National Taiwan Normal University this year, and he plans to undertake graduate study abroad after his national military service. Lin Shiang-Yu, winner of the vocal category, will soon complete her study in the Graduate School of Music at Soochow University, and she will soon publish a book.

“Bank SinoPac Young Artist Showcase” has been the central focus of the music community in Taiwan from the very start. It's the only music competition which is jointly sponsored by an enterprise and the media. It aligns itself with the modern trends by placing emphasis on encouraging youth, and providing wider access for talented musicians. For example, the judges are mostly seasoned musicians and teachers, who place an emphasis on “youth” and “progression” of this event. Also, by choosing winners through categories of piano, string instrument, woodwind and vocal, rather than through the traditional ways of picking best performer in individual instruments, this Awards assesses the innate talent of each individual contestant. Moreover, those who survive the qualifying rounds invited to give an interview about their perspectives and interpretations of music. Those, who qualified, are also invited to radio programs.

As the organizer of this Awards, Bank SinoPac is the long-time supporter and sponsor for Chinese performing arts in Taiwan. Mr. Paul Lo, Chairman of Bank SinoPac, said, “By sponsoring ‘Bank SinoPac Young Artist Showcase’, we hope to cultivate excellent musicians with broad visions and world-class capability. In the era of knowledge economy and global markets nurturing of new talents is essential, and those with international perspectives will be the cornerstones for businesses and countries. Bank SinoPac hopes to repay the society by developing the next generation of musicians. In the future, we'll continue our efforts on our core businesses, and we will also give back to the humanity by providing more access to talented young artists.”

Hsia-Di, General Manager of Taipei Philharmonic Radio Station, said, “As part of the media, we offer a chance and space for young people to express their opinions on music through competitions and radio programs, and by doing so we give more encouragement and recognition for their talents.”

The National Symphony Orchestra has been involved in this event since it last cooperated in the final competitions. Members of NSO selected “the most potential young talent.” This year, it will once again work with “Bank SinoPac Young Artist Showcase” It will be an opportunity of a lifetime, and it will also provide great encouragement for young musicians who are able to perform with the top symphony orchestra and conductor in Taiwan.

The deadline for registration is July 31, and the competition will begin on August 13. Tickets will be available upon request from organizers starting from August 1, and all music enthusiasts are welcome. Please visit the website of Taipei Philharmonic Radio Station at www.e-classical.com.tw for more details on the registration process and tickets.

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