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Secretary for Home Affairs, Dr Patrick Ho, today (August 13) congratulates two Hong Kong young pianists, Sham Ching-toa Aristo and Wong Wai-yin, for their remarkable achievement at the Ettlingen International Piano Competition for Young Pianist in Germany.
Ten-year-old Sham Ching-toa Aristo won the first prize and 13-year-old Wong Wai-yin won the third in Category A (up to 15 years) of the competition. Sham is also the winner of the special Barenreiter Urtext Prize.
The Ettlingen International Piano Competition, one of the most important contests of its kind, is divided into Category A (up to 15 years of age) and Category B (up to 20 years of age). The competition has been held once every two years since 1988. World-renowned Chinese young pianist Lang Lang won the first prize in Category A in 1994 when he was 12 years old.
Out of the 255 entries from 45 nations received this year, 177 were entries for Category A competition.
Dr Ho said: "We are proud of the achievement of Aristo and Wai-yin. In addition to their talent for music, proper training provided by parents and teachers, and efforts made by the two young pianists all contributed to the success. I wish them continued success in the future."
Sham Ching-toa Aristo has been studying piano under Eleanor Wong, and Wong Wai-yin is a student of Gabriel Kwok, both at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts.
For more information on the Ettlingen International Piano Competition, please visit:
http://www.pianocompetition.org/
Ends/Sunday, August 13, 2006
Issued at HKT 17:56
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