XN000022-1984-11-04 — Page 9

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1934

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YOUTH BAND FESTIVAL STARTS

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THE SEVENTH HONG KONG YOUTH BAND FESTIVAL, ONE OF THE MAJOR MUSIC EVENTS ORGANISED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT, STARTED THIS (SUNDAY) EVENING.

TO MARK THE OPENING OF THE EIGHT-DAY FESTIVAL, A SCHOOL BANDS INVITATION CONCERT WAS HELD AT THE ACADEMIC COMMUNITY HALL. THE CHIEF JUSTICE, SIR DENYS ROBERTS, WAS AMONG THE LARGE AUDIENCE.

IN A MESSAGE CONTAINED IN THE FESTIVAL'S SOUVENIR PROGRAMME, SIR DENYS SAID THE BAND FESTIVAL WAS NOW A MAJOR EVENT ON HONG KONG'S MUSIC CALENDAR.

+ THE SUCCESS OF THIS ANNUAL FESTIVAL IS EVIDENCE OF THE GROWT OF INTEREST OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE PLAYING OF BAND MUSIC, AN ACTIVITY WHICH GIVES MUCH SATISFACTION TO THOSE WHO TAKE PART IN IT, SIR DENYS SAID.

THE SCHOOL BANDS INVITATION CONCERT TODAY FEATURED THE WINNER OF LAST YEAR'S SYMPHONIC BAND PERFORMANCE, THE HONG KONG YOUTH SYMPHONIC BAND OF THE MUSIC OFFICE, WHICH TREATED THE AUDIENCE WITH TWO PIECES 'INSTANT CONCERT' AND THE THEME FROM NEW

YORK, NEW YORK'.

THIS YEAR'S FESTIVAL GUEST BAND IS THE JAPANESE TOYAMA TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL BAND, WINNER OF THE GOLDEN PRIZE IN THE +ALL JAPAN BAND CONTEST+ FOR SEVEN CONSECUTIVE YEARS. THE 45-MEMBER BAND WILL ARRIVE HERE ON TUESDAY (NOVEMBER 6).

ALTOGETHER 28 BANDS ARE TAKING PART IN THE FESTIVAL.

BESIDES CONCERTS, SEMINARS, COMPETITIONS AND WORKSHOPS WILL BE HELD.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MUSIC OFFICE SAID HIGHLIGHTS OF THE FESTIVAL WOULD INCLUDE A 'FESTIVAL CONCERT' AT THE CITY HALL CONCERT HALL ON NOVEMBER 8 AND A GALA FINALE' AT QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM ON NOVEMBER 11.

THE JAPANESE BAND, UNDER THE BATON OF ITS DIRECTOR, MR TOSHIO SATSUMA, WILL PERFORM JOINTLY WITH THE HONG KONG YOUTH SYMPHONIC BAND AND AEROBIC DANCERS FROM THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE.

THE CAPE COLLINSON BAND, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED, WOULD GIVE A MARCHING DISPLAY WHILE THE CHEER-LEADERS FROM THE YAN CHAI HOSPITAL LIM POR YEN SECONDARY SCHOOL WILL JOIN OTHER PARTICIPANTS TO ENTERTAIN THE AUDIENCE.

TICKETS FOR THESE TWO CONCERTS, AT $5 EACH, ARE ON SALE AT ALL MUSIC CENTRES OF THE MUSIC OFFICE AND COMPUTERISED BOX OFFICES OF THE URBAN COUNCIL. ENQUIRIES MAY BE MADE AT 5-741622.

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