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RECREATION AND THE ARTS
City Contemporary Dance Company The year was a challenging one for the City Contemporary Dance Company, the only full-time professional modern dance company in Hong Kong. It is a pioneer in local modern dance promotion and strives to present Hong Kong's unique culture through dance. During the year, it gave 52 performances and also made one overseas tour.
Music Office
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The Music Office of the Recreation and Culture Department was set up in 1977 to provide instrumental music training for young people, to promote and stimulate an interest in music – particularly among the young - and to encourage and assist in organising music activities in all districts. During 1984, the office was regularly conducting 679 weekly instrumental classes in both Western and Chinese instruments for 3 300 students at its eight music centres.
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Aural and theory training continued to supplement instrumental instruction, special training was provided for 34 talented young musicians, and master classes and seminars were conducted by visiting musicians. The office consolidated and expanded the training of two youth symphony orchestras, six youth Chinese orchestras, five youth symphonic bands, two choirs and one children's marching band. Members attended weekly rehearsals and gave many public performances during the year.
'Music for the Millions' concerts given by the Music Office instructors' orchestras, youth orchestras, bands and ensembles were held at various schools, playgrounds and community halls to introduce music to new audiences. During the year, 325 concerts were held for a combined audience of 184 633 people.
The office continued to organise international exchange programmes and local young musicians took part in music camps and festivals in the United States and the United Kingdom as well as in Hong Kong. In August, the Hong Kong Jing Ying, comprising seven talented young amateur musicians, eight dancers and four officials visited England to participate in international folklore festivals at Sidmouth, Billingham and Maidstone and give a series of performances of Chinese music and Asian dance. The Fifth Hong Kong Youth Music Camp held at the Po Leung Kuk Pak Tam Chung Holiday Camp attracted 1 750 young musicians, including a number of overseas delegates. Nine overseas musicians joined the camp's faculty staff as guest conductors and instructors. The Seventh Hong Kong Youth Band Festival was held in November and attracted a 45-member symphonic band from Japan. The Second Chinese Music Festival was staged for 5 210 people in December.
Hong Kong Conservatory of Music
The integration of the Hong Kong Conservatory of Music with the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts continued smoothly in 1984. Students in the September intake were enrolled with the academy although classes continued to be held in the conservatory premises. Two graduates won scholarships to continue their studies at the Guildhall School of Drama and Music in London, and other graduates assumed active roles in various aspects of the musical profession in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong Jockey Club Music Fund
Established in December 1979 with a donation of $10 million from the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club, the Hong Kong Jockey Club Music Fund is a non-statutory trust fund to promote and develop music, dance and other related activities. A board of trustees of nine