The 2nd Harbin International Music Competition (IMCH) will be held in Harbin, Northeast China’s Heilongjiang province, from Aug 28 to Sept 10, according to information released at a press conference for the event.

Harbin, famous for its Russian influence, is also known as “China’s Music City” and regularly holds world-renowned cultural events.

IMCH, which features both singers and musicians, was jointly founded by the government of Harbin and the Harbin Conservatory of Music.

Since being launched in January 2018, the competition has been widely recognized by the music industry for its professionalism and authority.

This year’s competition is divided into two rounds: pre-selection and finals.

After the pre-selection, which is based on video materials submitted by contestants –– 30 pianists, 30 violinists, 35 vocalists, and six composers will be invited to Harbin to participate in the finals, which will run for about two weeks.

The top three contestants in each group will receive certificates and an award of $50,000 (first place), $20,000 (second place) or $10,000 (third place).

The jury for the competition will consist of prestigious art directors and brokers from leading opera houses around the world, including from the Metropolitan Opera House in New York, the Paris Opera, the Royal Opera House in London, and the Moscow Grand Theatre.

This year, Ye Xiaogang, president of the Chinese Musicians Association, will be invited to serve as chairman of the organizing committee and director of the art committee. Conductor Hu Ruyan will serve as deputy director of the competition’s art committee and as artistic director of the orchestra. Music conductors Zhu Qiyuan and Jiao Yang will participate in the competition and serve as bandleaders.

The event aims to introduce new musical talent, provide high-quality entertainment, and raise Harbin’s profile as China’s Music City.