UTAR hosts inspiring U-Chuang Sets Sail National Composing Competition finale

Group photo of audience, guests and participants at U-Chuang Sets Sail National Composing Competition (sourced from Sinchew Daily)

On 19 October 2024, the U-Chuang Sets Sail National Composing Competition for Secondary School and University Students held its grand finale at UTAR Sungai Long Campus. This much-anticipated event, organised by the UTAR Broadcasting Society with support from the Faculty of Creative Industries and the Department of Student Affairs, celebrated the remarkable talents of young musicians from across Malaysia. The seven-month-long competition, featuring original compositions by secondary school and university students, culminated in a dazzling evening of performances by the 19 finalists, each showcasing their creativity and passion for music.

From left: Ms Yise Loo, Ms Anna Chong, Mr Tay Cher Siang, Low Wei Sheng, Mr Chow Kam Leong, Prof Choong, Prescott Hotel General Manager Ms Angeline, Mr Keon Chia, Ms Loh Siaw Yien, Ms Loh Nyuk Leong and Dr David

The gala night was attended by notable figures from UTAR, including Prof Dr Choong Chee Keong, UTAR Vice President for Student Development and Alumni Relations; Registrar Ms Loh Siaw Yien, Dr David Tneh Cheng Eng, Dean of the Faculty of Creative Industries, and Ms Loh Nyuk Leung, Head of Department of Student Affairs of Sungai Long Campus. The panel of esteemed judges included celebrated local musicians and composers, such as Lead Judge Mr Chow Kam Leong, Mr Tay Cher Siang, Ms Yise Loo, Ms Anna Chong, and Mr Keon Chia. Malaysian singer-songwriter Firdhaus, the competition’s ambassador, made a special appearance, adding star power to the evening with a captivating performance that brought excitement to the audience.

Firdhaus performing with Sebastian Soon

The U-Chuang competition aimed to offer Malaysia’s young composers a platform to express their talents, foster artistic growth, and inspire an appreciation for music across generations. Prof Choong, in his speech, praised the initiative for nurturing local musical talents and emphasised UTAR’s commitment to supporting the creative aspirations of Malaysia’s youth. He also expressed gratitude to the sponsors and media partners MY FM, Sin Chew Daily, GOXUAN, and Mango Media for their extensive coverage and support.

Prof Choong delivering his speech

Chairperson Low Wei Sheng shared his pride in the journey of bringing this competition to life over the past seven months, highlighting the dedication of organisers, judges, and participants. In his speech, he expressed gratitude to Chirpy Bird for their sound and lighting sponsorship, and he hoped that U-Chuang would continue as a platform for emerging songwriters, helping them launch their musical journeys and inspiring others to pursue their creative dreams.

Low delivering his opening remarks

The winners of the Secondary School Category

The evening recognised outstanding talents through a series of awards. In the Secondary School Category, the Gold Award was won by Liew Jian Xu for his song “叩·阿嫲”; the Silver Award went to Sebastian Soon Kheng Sheng with “你喜欢的歌”; and Lim Zhe Yu took the Bronze Award with his composition “瞬间”. Lim Zhe Yu “瞬间” and Sebastian Soon “笨蛋药“ were also awarded for Best Composition and Best Lyrics respectively. Further honours in this category included Best Performer (Liew Jian Xu “叩·阿嫲”), Best Singer (Lim Zhe Yu “旧梦轻吟”), and Most Popular Award (Liew Jian Xu “叩·阿嫲”).

The winners of the University Category

In the University Category, the Gold Award was clinched by Jonathan Lee Hoe Yin for his piece “反芻心理”, while Teoh Min Min secured both the Silver and Bronze Awards for her songs “多久” and “鲸落”. Teoh also received accolades for Best Composition for “鲸落” and Best Performer for “多久”, while Jonathan Lee earned Best Lyrics and Best Singer for “反芻心理”. The Most Popular Award in the University Category went to Jackham Cheng Jack Han for his song “伤疤”.

The evening closed with heartfelt reflections from Lead Judge Mr Chow, who commended the participants for their creativity and artistry. As the audience cheered, awards were presented to the deserving winners, marking the end of an inspiring event dedicated to the celebration of young talent. The U-Chuang Sets Sail competition underscored the power of music to unite and inspire, leaving attendees eagerly anticipating future editions of this unique showcase for Malaysian youth.