Peking University, April 3, 2026: The 2026 Peking University Top Ten Singers Finals was held at the Khoo Teck Puat Sports Complex on the evening of March 29. Under the annual theme "Ying Yue Er Sheng," a wordplay on the idiom "arising with the times," the competition highlighted the idea of rising through music.
After three rounds of performances, ten finalists emerged from 12 contestants under the evaluation of audiences and judges.
Wake-UP A Cappella Band won the championship, followed by Zhu Wenhao in second place and Jiang Yuliang in third.
In addition, the top ten singers for the 2025-2026 academic year include: Luo Peichen, Zhang Jinnan, Deng Xu, Guo Yanzhi, He Ziqing, Pan Jiaqi, and Song Jiafeng.
The evening opened with "I Want to Sing Myself to You" performed by past PKU Top Ten Singers Cao Jinghe, Wang Niu, as well as Fang Zhou Nuoya and Wang Qiao. The familiar song ignited the crowd, setting an energetic tone for the evening.
In the final round, Wake-UP A Cappella Band presented "Daft Punk," combining vocal layering with synchronized stage coordination. The band was founded in 2012 within PKU's a cappella community. One member's deep bass voice stunned the crowd, contrasting with the group’s smooth harmonies. Their earlier performances of "Autumn Leaves" and "Pearls and Jade" established their versatility in both jazz and contemporary a cappella arrangements.
The Wake-UP A Cappella Band performing "Daft Punk."
Zhu Wenhao, a graduating senior from the School of Electronics Engineering and Computer Science, bid farewell to the school in his final song "I." Seated on stage and accompanied by a solo pianist, he drew the audience in with an intimate performance. His earlier performance of "Elephant Man" showcased similar emotional intensity, including a Chinese opera falsetto bridge that highlighted his vocal range.
Zhu Wenhao performing the song "Elephant Man."
Jiang Yuliang from the School of Chinese as a Second Language made a strong impression with her first song "Light," featuring bright and crisp vocals, contrasted by a Dan-style Chinese opera passage. Her following performances of "Fallen Leaves Return to Their Roots" and "My Motherland" further established her strong vocal control, allowing the song's emotional core to pierce through audience's hearts.
Jiang Yuliang performing the song "My Motherland."
Other finalists also delivered memorable performances throughout the competition. Luo Peichen from the School of International Relations moved the audience to tears with the well-known "Prose Poem Written by My Father," while Pan Jiaqi from the School of Computer Science stood out with his live guitar performance, using hand-played accompaniment as the sole musical backing.
The competition also featured a range of English songs such as "Reflection" and "Treasure," highlighting the contestants' versatility across languages and styles.
The intermissions of each round featured guest performances by celebrities Liu Renyu and Zhou Feige, along with the band ZaZaZsu. A sea of light sticks welcomed Liu Renyu as she performed her original "Proof of Heartbeat," while Zhou Feige's charismatic stage presence instilled a wave of excitement through the crowd.
Liu Renyu performing her original song "Proof of Heartbeat."
ZaZaZsu, a retro-pop band formed in 2017 by PKU alumni Ma Yi and Cheng Jinyuan, delivered the final guest performance. Ma Yi was the 2018 champion of PKU Top Ten Singers, while Cheng Jinyuan was also among the Top Ten singers.
As one of PKU's most anticipated campus events since 1986, the Top Ten Singers Competition continues to provide a platform for musical and artistic expression. Echoing this year's theme, "Ying Yue Er Sheng," the performances highlighted each singer's unique artistry, allowing those onstage and offstage to rise through music.
Written by: Ashley Leung
Edited by: Chen Shizhuo
Photos by: Yan Linlin
