HKICF2027 Choral Educators Award and Choirs Recognition Award
Since its establishment in 2018, the Hong Kong Inter-School Choral Festival (HKICF) has become one of Hong Kong’s largest music events, engaging over 300 schools and 40,000 participants annually. Approaching its milestone 10th anniversary, the Festival wishes to extend its deepest recognition to the dedicated school music teachers and conductors whose unwavering commitment has been vital to nurturing students’ love of music and sustaining the Festival’s success.
The HKICF Choral Educators Award and Choirs Recognition Award does not aim to assess formal classroom teaching. Instead, we seek to pay tribute to those who exemplify the Festival’s core spirit—fostering learning, appreciation, and exchange through choral singing. By highlighting innovation, continuous dedication, and positive impact on students and the wider community, these awards serve both as a sincere gesture of gratitude and as an inspiration for continued growth in Hong Kong’s vibrant choral education landscape.
AWARDS
For eligibility criteria and application details of all awards, please refer to the “Award Criteria”.
Award Criteria
Festival Dedication Award
Presented to schools and organisations with 7 or more years of dedicated engagement with HKICF (including 2027), marked by sustained participation across multiple editions.
Application or Self-Nomination Requirements:
Direct Award Selection (No Application Required)
Qualified schools and organisations will be identified and awarded directly by HKICF based on official festival records. Eligible schools and organisations will be notified by late November.
Self-Nomination & Verification Period
To ensure accurate record-keeping, schools and organisations that believe they meet the criteria but have not received notification by late November may submit a self-nomination through the official application form on the HKICF Membership Platform.
Deadline
6pm, 18 December 2026 (Friday)
Submission Details
Schools and organisations must provide their festival history, including a complete list of all academic/festival years joined and the specific HKICF programmes, competitions, workshops, or events attended in each participating year.
Long-Term Service Award
This award honours the dedication and enduring commitment of long-serving local choral music educators to nurturing school choirs in Hong Kong. It celebrates major career milestones as well as those transitioning out of active service into a well-earned retirement.
Based on the number of years served, awards will be presented to recognise the awardees’ long service of 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 years.
Application Requirements
- Direct self-application by the teacher/conductor/accompanist only. School nomination is not required.
- All applications must be completed and submitted online through the official application form on the HKICF Membership Platform.
- Applicants must complete the application form detailing their full history of conducting, teaching, or accompanying career (including names of schools / organisations and corresponding years of service).
- Applicants are required to submit an official certificate of employment bearing the school chop from (one of) their current school(s) to verify their current employment.
Professional Growth Award
Presented to choral conductors and teachers who demonstrate an exemplary commitment to continuous professional development. This award recognises educators who most actively refine their skills to enrich their students and the wider choral community through high engagement in HKICF programmes.
Direct Award Selection (No Application Required)
Up to 10 choral conductors and teachers will be identified directly by HKICF based on official festival records. Awardees will be notified by late November.
Excellence in Choral Teaching Award
Presented to outstanding local choral conductors and teachers who demonstrate exceptional innovativeness, pedagogy, and effectiveness in choral music education.
Application Requirements
All application materials must be completed and submitted online through the official application form on the HKICF Membership Platform. Information required includes:
- Teaching Portfolio
A description of the applicant’s creative teaching concepts, rehearsal strategies, or specific initiatives implemented in choral teaching. - Student Testimonials
Feedback or testimonials from students attesting to the teacher’s impact and inspiration - Video Evidence
A video recording of a choir rehearsal session.
Please note that a choir rehearsal visit by the jury panel may be required during the selection period.
IMPORTANT DATES
| Date | Item |
|---|---|
| 05/10/2026 - 27/11/2026 | Application Period - Long-Term Service Award - Excellence in Choral Teaching Award |
| 27/11/2026 | Announcement of awardees (through email notification) - Festival Dedication Award - Professional Growth Award |
| Late November 2026 - Late December 2026 | Selection panel review and evaluation - Excellence in Choral Teaching Award |
| 27/11/2026 - 18/12/2026 | Self-nomination Period- Festival Dedication Award |
| Early January 2027 | Finalisation of awardees |
| Early January 2027 | Contact awardees for participation at award presentation |
| 30/01/2027 | Award Presentation at HKICF2027 Professional Development Day for Music Teachers & Conductors |
Sign up today &
become a member!
Learn more about the simple process and the benefits waiting for you and your choir.
Already a member?
Login
Other programmes
Professional Development for Choral Educators
We provide music teachers and conductors with professional development sessions that aim to connect theory and practice in music education.
Professional Development Day for Music Teachers & Conductors
As the festival’s inaugural initiative in 2027, it is designed to provide music educators and conductors with a premier professional advancement platform that integrates theoretical depth, practical demonstrations, and peer networking.
HKISC Junior Academy
The Hong Kong Inter-School Choir (HKISC) Junior Academy aims to provide progressive, performance-oriented choral education for young singers, fostering core values, community service and … Read more
