12th International Ukulele Contest Announcement!
Discovering unique ukulele players who spread their wings worldwide
HONOLULU, HAWAII—The Ukulele Foundation of Hawaii is thrilled to announce the 12th edition of the “International Ukulele Contest” for 2024!
This contest is open to anyone aged 3 and above, encompassing a wide range of generations from children to adults. Applicants can participate by filling out the necessary information on the entry form available on the official website (www.ukulelepicnicinhawaii. org/contest/) and uploading an unedited performance video to YouTube. The participation fee is $10. Entries are accepted until March 31st (Saturday) JST (March 30th in Hawaii time).
As a mid-term announcement, on April 8th (April 7th in Hawaii time), 3-5 finalists from each category, as well as special award recipients, will be announced. The final results, including the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners in each category, will be announced at the final result ceremony on July 26th in Hawaii time.
Additionally, the 1st place winners in each category will receive high-quality Hawaiian ukuleles as prizes, including brands like Kamaka, Kanilea, and KoAloha.
An MVP trophy will be awarded to the contestant who impresses the judges the most among the finalists and special award recipients.
Representative Kazuyuki Sekiguchi of the Ukulele Foundation of Hawaii stated: “While many of the restrictions of the pandemic have been lifted, the environment surrounding us is far from perfect. Above all, I believe it is important to effectively alleviate the stress accumulated in the hearts of children. I not only hope that the ukulele will heal the hearts of children but also believe that it can provide them with opportunities.
“By participating in the contest, they can set goals for themselves, dream, strive towards those dreams, and it becomes a significant opportunity. Through this experience, we may witness the growth of children in a profound way.”
To experienced ukulele players, we recommend testing their skills in front of ukulele enthusiasts from around the world. Sharing the wonder and joy of the ukulele with many people will surely be a fulfilling experience. We look forward to the participation of many individuals.
Entries are accepted in four categories:
¯ Solo Keiki & Teen Division (Ages 3 to 18)
¯ Solo Open Division (Ages 19 and above)
¯ Solo Vocal Division (Ages 3 and above)
¯ Group (2 or more people)
The final result ceremony will be held on July 26th in Hawaii. The Grand Champion will be the individual (or group) with the highest total score from 3-5 finalists in each division as judged by the panel.
Additionally, the MVP trophy will be awarded to the contestant who impresses the judges the most among the finalists and special award recipients (such as Best Kawaii Award, Best Dressed Award, etc.). MVP recipients will have the opportunity to perform on stage at the “Ukulele Picnic.”
Finalists Announcement: April 8, 2024 (Monday) JST (April 7th in Hawaii time)
Results Announcement: July 26, 2024 (Friday) Hawaii Time
For more information on the International Ukulele Contest, visit http:// www.ukulelepicnicinhawaii.org/ contest/. Also, follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/Ukule lePicnicHawaii), Instagram (www. instagram.com/ukulelepicnic), and X (formerly Twitter) (https://twitter.com/ ukulelepicnic) for the latest updates.