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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
(d) As mentioned above, transportation of musical instruments is a rather specialised job. General transportation workers are not competent in handling this kind of job. In 1984, the Department assigned some workmen to assist in delivering the instruments. Unfortunately, the result was not satisfactory, and some of the instruments were damaged. Subsequently, it was decided that the musicians should still be entrusted with the job. Of course, if musicians feel that they are not up to the task or they don't want to perform that role - we do have regular reviews with the musicians, and so far, they are happy with this arrangement.
MISS ADA WONG YING-KAY (in Cantonese):—I have several follow-up questions. I think the reply has mixed up the concept of management with transportation. In fact, I agree that it is reasonable for musicians and stage managers to be responsible for work such as packing of instruments, but what I am asking is, would the standard of performance be affected if a musician is required to move a timpano of several tens of pounds and then has to perform right afterwards, even before regaining his breath? Mr. Chairman, we set up and support the Chinese Orchestra because we want to provide good Chinese music to the public, not because we want the musicians to move instruments themselves.
Secondly, the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra is a leading orchestra. I ask this question because a member of the audience complained to me that when he went to the backstage to ask a musician to sign an autograph, he saw the musician moving the instruments. I would like to know whether such an arrangement would affect the Chinese Orchestra's image.
Thirdly, such an arrangement is not common in other orchestras. The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra has 3 professionally trained staff members responsible for moving musical instruments. Can similar posts be set up for the Hong Kong Orchestra as well?
Mr. Pao Ping-wing (in Cantonese):—Miss Wong has asked 3 supplementary questions. Firstly, she said that I have mixed up the concept of transportation and management. In fact, as I mentioned, two kinds of work are involved in the process of moving musical instruments. One kind of work concerns management, and it is the work done by the coordinator and assistant coordinator. The other kind of work is the actual transportation, which is assisted by the 16 musicians. Besides, Miss Wong asked whether the image of our Orchestra will be affected if the musicians are asked to move the instruments. I think her statement already answered her own question. She said that we have a leading Chinese Orchestra in Hong Kong. We have already had this arrangement in place since 1977. If such an arrangement affects the image of the Council, during these ten odd years since 1977, whatever image would be destroyed. Hence, Miss Wong has told us clearly that such a situation will not happen. The third point raised by Miss Wong is whether we can follow the example of the Philharmonic Orchestra, which has 3 backstage staff members specifically responsible for moving the musical
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