International Program
The HKA Song Contest
What is it?
Language offers a unique window on the nation (or nations) and/or culture in which it is spoken as a mother tongue. We can learn a lot about a country, its history, and its people by exploring a country’s music. Language Learners Got Talent is a singing competition for HKA language learners. It is about creating an opportunity to take language learning outside the classroom. Students (individuals and groups) sing in the language they are learning in front of a live audience. Performers can choose to cover an existing song or write their own. They can also choose to sing to a backing track or play their own instruments. A panel of judges (and the audience) then scores performances on both language and singing criteria. Highest scores win prizes.
How does it work?
Register to participate: we can only admit a limited number of contestants into the HKA Song Contest. You can register as an individual or a group (maximum 6 members). To ensure a diversity of languages, there is a limited number of entries per language, up to a maximum of 14 total entries.
Deadline for registration: May 20th!
We will inform you of our decision regarding your performance on our stage by May 22th.
Select a song:
You can choose a song that:
+ already exists in the target language
+ you translate from one language to another
+ you have written on your own
Prepare:
There is A LOT of talent and enthusiasm out there…so definitely spend some time getting ready!
Submit music:
Prior to the competition, performers who will use a musical backing track must submit it to organizers. Sending this information in on time and complete is part of the judging criteria, so please stay on top of it. Participants wishing to play instruments must contact organizers in advance to discuss feasibility and requirements.
Compete:
Bring your friends to support you! The event will be approximately 2.5 - 3 hours in length.
Prizes!
Prizes are vouchers worth
1st prize 250 Euro
2nd prize 200 Euro
3rd prize 150 Euro
Audience favourite: 100 Euro
Judging Criteria
Performers will be judged by a panel of judges made up of experts in language and/or music. Judging considers the following criteria:
+ originality
+ interpretation
+ creativity
+ linguistic accuracy
+ linguistic complexity
+ accent/pronunciation
+ costumes, stagecraft & choreography
+ spirit & enthusiasm
+ required materials submitted on time
Rules
1. Participants must be current HKA students and must sing in a language that is not their native or home language.
2. Songs must be sung in one of languages currently taught at the HKA.
3. Participants may sing individually or in groups.
4. Groups can sing in more than one language, if each person who sings is singing in the language she/he is learning (e.g. a duet with one English person singing in Chinese and one Chinese person singing in English).
5. Songs must be no longer than 3 minutes in length. If sung with a musical backing track, the track must have only minimal vocals and/or vocal imitations on it and must be from a legal source. Organizers reserve the right to determine what “minimal vocals and/or vocal imitations” means. If you are using a backing track, you must submit it to organizers well before the registration deadline.
6. Participants wishing to play instruments must contact organizers in advance to discuss feasibility and requirements.
7. Given limitations of time and space, organizers reserve the right to close registration at their discretion. A waiting list will be available. Organizers also reserve the autonomy to make decisions, where appropriate, to ensure a balanced representation of languages.
8. Professional musicians are not eligible to compete. For the purposes of this competition, “professional” means a person who make their living exclusively by playing music.