Taiwanese conductor Chen Yu-chia wins international competition, credits self-belief and preparation

Taiwanese conductor Chen Yu-chia has claimed victory at the 5th International Chinese Orchestra Conducting Competition, organized by the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra. Chen, who has developed a solid conducting experience, highlighted the importance of self-belief, drawing parallels to his martial arts and marathon running background which he says cultivated his willpower and endurance.

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Music is a way to explore the soul. Winning the championship is great, but what matters most to me is whether I can create a spiritual resonance with the musicians when I stand before the orchestra.

"Music is a way to explore the soul," Chen stated in an interview. "Winning the championship is great, but what matters most to me is whether I can create a spiritual resonance with the musicians when I stand before the orchestra." He added that participating in the competition taught him to trust his preparation for the eight competing pieces, allowing him to fully immerse himself in the performance.

Describing the final round where he conducted the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, Chen noted the musicians' quick responsiveness. He likened conducting to adding embellishments to a masterpiece rather than a complete overhaul. Chen's musical journey began in childhood, influenced by his family's musical background. He pursued Chinese music studies, minoring in conducting, and later graduated from a master's program.

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I learned to trust that I had prepared thoroughly for the eight competing pieces, and that I could grasp the essence of each note, allowing myself to enjoy the moment on stage.

His martial arts training, he explained, significantly impacted his physical expression and musical imagination. The most challenging part of the competition, Chen said, was the "error correction" segment. Faced with immense pressure and less than two days to prepare, he successfully identified four out of six pre-planted errors in the scores. He described this process as needing a calm, everyday rehearsal approach, avoiding excessive focus on minute details.

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The musicians' responsiveness was incredibly fast. Conducting is like adding flowers and grass to a painting with a clear outline, making it more beautiful, not tearing it down to rebuild. If you tear it down, you're finished.

Chen expressed gratitude to numerous conductors and teachers who guided him, including Professors Ou Kwang-nung, the late Ku Pao-wen, and Wang Ya-hui. He also benefited from masterclasses by conductors Lu Shao-chia and Yan Huichang. Currently, Chen serves as a guest conductor and continues to play the erhu with the National Chinese Orchestra Taiwan, maintaining a performer's perspective to deepen his musical understanding. Outside of music, he participates in marathons, which he calls his "moving meditation," helping him filter distractions and refine musical ideas. Chen plans to invest his prize money to ensure financial stability while continuing his musical pursuits and participating in international competitions to bring new energy to modern Chinese orchestral music.

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Error correction is the biggest challenge. It's like a magnifying glass; if you focus too much on details, you miss other things. You have to maintain a normal mindset, as if it were a regular rehearsal.