NTU Music Express is an annual non-profit Chinese Song Composing Competition organized by Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Chinese Society. Up till now, it has been held for twenty-two years consecutively.

In the past few years, "Music Express" has explored and stimulated the creative potential of many students, and become a platform for NTU students to show their talent. The aim of "Music Express" is to encourage people to participate in the Chinese song writing and express their feelings, views and thoughts.

"Music Express" was originally a non-competitive activity; the majority of participants are NTU students. Now, the competition is opened to any students, residents and citizens in Singapore and Malaysia who are below 35 years old and students above 12. Original songs will be given some comments by professional judges. Eight groups of finalists will be invited to participate in roadshow and workshop section.

History Previously, Music Express competitions were mainly focusing on Singapore tertiary institution students.

From the 12th to 18th, “Music Express” was divided into two groups which are group A, songwriting (contestants must compose the rhythm and lyric), and group B, lyric writing (contestants must fill in the lyric in the song provided by the organizer). Even though Group B is eliminated in the 19th Music Express, it was divided into Student Group and Public Group. However, Student Group was eliminated in the 20th Music Express. Despite this, Music Express has held its own event roadshows to the public outside NTU in 21st and 22nd Music Express. At the same time, the competition was promoted to Malaysia.

In the "Music Express" of previous years, Singapore's famous songwriters such as Ms Naomi, Mr. Wang Rui Qi, Ms. Xing Zeng Hua, Mr. Liu Guo Ming, Mr. Xu Huan Liang, Mr. Goh Kheng Long, Mr. Eric Ng, Mr Derrick Tham, Ms. Xiaohan, Mr Hong Junyang, Mr. Jim Lim and Mr. Zhang Si Er were invited to be the guest of honor and judges of "Music Express". In addition, famous singers for instance Serene Kong, Ah Du, Zhang Feng Qi, Wu Jia Hui, Joi Chua, Kelvin Tan Wei Lian, Huang Yida, Soda Green and Ling Kai were invited as special guests as well. Singapore singers, Kelly Poon and Stella Seah, were also few of the performing guests who had performed in Music Express.

Previous Music Express-22nd Music Express

The twenty two Music Express was held successfully in August 2016. The nationwide Chinese Song Composing competition focused on Singapore tertiary institution students, in return numerous good entries were collected. Singapore renowned music recording companies, Touch Music Publishing Pte Ltd and Ocean Butterfly Music Pte Ltd are Music Express's official working partners.

Timeline 20th Music Express Period Event 24 August 2014 Grand Finale Performance

22nd Music Express Period Event 20 Dec 2015 to 22 May 2016 Original song submission period 24 March 2016 Music Sharing Session 25 June 2016 Workshop 17 July 2016 Roadshow 20 August 2016 Grand Finale Performance

23rd Music Express Period Event 12 Dec 2016 to 22 May 2017 Original song submission period 29 March 2017 Music Sharing Session 17 June 2017 Workshop 8 July 2017 Roadshow 26 August 2017 Grand Finale Performance

Prizes

20th Music Express Award Prizes Entries Lyricist Composer First Prize Cash $1200 + Trophy + Certificate 《深夜》Ong SanchezIsaac Yong (Zheng Yu) First Runner-up Cash $600 + Trophy + Certificate 《个人Siesta》Tiffany Kwa, Eddy Sng, Tammy Jeongin, Hanrey LowChong Yun Xiang Second Runner-up Cash $300 + Trophy + Certificate Best Performance Award Trophy + Certificate People's Choice Award Trophy + Certificate

21st Music Express Award Prizes Entries Lyricist Composer First Prize Cash $1200 + Trophy + Certificate + Acoustic Guitar 《认输》 Boon Hui Lu Cheong Waii Hoong First Runner-up Cash $500 + Trophy + Certificate + Acoustic Guitar 《转角的微笑》 Wan Li Ying Guo Wei Qi Second Runner-up Cash $300 + Trophy + Certificate + Acoustic Guitar 《傻瓜》 Liu Zhi Huang Yu Qing Jun Best Lyrics Award Cash $150 + Trophy + Certificate 《认输》 Boon Hui Lu Cheong Waii Hoong Best Composer Award Cash $150 + Trophy + Certificate 《转角的微笑》 Wan Li Ying Guo Wei Qi People's Choice Award Cash $100 + Trophy + Certificate 《傻瓜》 Liu Zhi Huang Yu Qing Jun

22nd Music Express Award Prizes Entries Lyricist Composer First Prize Cash $1200 + Trophy + Certificate + Acoustic Guitar 《时间逆转》 Clover Ng Grace Teo First Runner-up Cash $500 + Trophy + Certificate + Acoustic Guitar 《城市》 Chai Siew Li Chai Siew Li Second Runner-up Cash $300 + Trophy + Certificate + Acoustic Guitar 《不说话了》 Goh Chun Wei Goh Chun Wei Best Lyrics Award Cash $150 + Trophy + Certificate 《时间逆转》 Clover Ng Grace Teo Best Composer Award Cash $150 + Trophy + Certificate 《脱离》 Tee Yao Sheng Tee Yao Sheng People's Choice Award Cash $100 + Trophy + Certificate 《脱离》 Tee Yao Sheng Tee Yao Sheng

23rd Music Express Award Prizes First Prize Cash $1000 + Trophy + Certificate + Acoustic Guitar First Runner-up Cash $500 + Trophy + Certificate + Acoustic Guitar Second Runner-up Cash $350 + Trophy + Certificate + Acoustic Guitar Best Lyrics Award Cash $250 + Trophy + Certificate Best Composer Award Cash $250 + Trophy + Certificate People's Choice Award Cash $150 + Trophy + Certificate

Past finalists and guest performers Event Finalists Guest performer 21st Music Express Steve Soh & Rex Vun; Cheong Waii Hoong; Boon Hui Lu; Zhang Yi Qing; Yu Qing Jun & Liu Zhi Huang; Liu Song Yu; Guo Wei Qi & Wan Li Ying; Wang Jia Yi & Tan Hui Zhen Serene Koh 22nd Music Express Chai Siew Li; Tee Yao Sheng; Sally Yiew; Clover Ng & Grace Teo; Goh Chun Wei; Chai Pei Shan; Hannah Pang Ling Kai

References