“Top 10 Music Headlines”, presented by RTHK Radio 4, has entered its 40th year and continues to invite the public to select 10 music headlines with the aim of addressing the concerns of the public and reviewing the important local music happenings of the past year. The results of the “2025 Top 10 Music Headlines” were unveiled today (23 January) at the East Kowloon Cultural Centre during the “40th Top 10 Music Headlines and 2025 Results Announcement Ceremony.” Betty Au, Assistant Director (Cultural Development) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, together with Vincent Lee, Assistant Director of Broadcasting (Radio & Corporate Programming), announced that the music headline, “Aristo Sham wins the Gold Medal and Audience Award at the 2025 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, becoming the first Hong Kong recipient.” topped the list with 76% of the votes.

Hong Kong pianist Aristo Sham, began studying the piano at the age of three and was widely regarded as a piano prodigy. He was first selected for the “Top 10 Music Headlines” 19 years ago after winning an international youth piano competition. Honoured again this year, Aristo expressed gratitude to his teacher Eleanor Wong, overseas mentors, parents, and supporters. He shared that perfecting every performance detail during the competition was deeply rewarding, and performing with world-class orchestras and connecting with audiences through music brought him great joy.

In 2025, Hong Kong’s music scene achieved remarkable international recognition: Aristo Sham’s awards, the St. Stephen’s College Preparatory School Choir winning four prizes at the Florence International Choir Festival, and the Diocesan Choral Society claiming the 2025 World Choral Championship. However, the year also marked the passing of pioneers who made significant contributions to Hong Kong’s musical development.

To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the “Top 10 Music Headlines”, RTHK invited guests related to the selected headlines and leading figures in the music and cultural sectors to the Ceremony. Notable guests included Pheon Tsang, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Arts Development Council; Prof. Yan Huichang, Artistic Director of the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra; Prof. Anna Chan, Director of The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts; Dr. Mui Kwong Chiu, Chairman of the Hong Kong Composers’ Guild; Pianists Dr. Mary Wu and Colleen Lee; Prof. Lo King Man, known as the “Father of Hong Kong Opera”; and Aristo Sham’s mother.

This year’s shortlist of 20 music news items was nominated by industry professionals, focusing on cultural and academic impact rather than newsworthiness. Global music lovers and music critics voted from 1 to 10 January 2026, contributing 60% and 40% to the final results, respectively. Highlights from the Results Announcement Ceremony will air at 8pm on 25 January 2026 on Radio 4 (FM 97.6–98.9), with simultaneous streaming on the RTHK website (radio4.rthk.hk) and the “RTHK Radio” mobile app. Further information about the selected music headlines are available atthe special webpage (rthk.hk/musicheadlines2025).

Results of “2025 Top 10 Music Headlines”