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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Lastly, on the question of concessionary rates for non-profit-making organizations, the position is that the management of the two venues does not offer concessionary rates to hirers. Hirers have to apply to the various functional Select Committees for subsidies and for co-sponsorships on any events to be held at the two venues. However, to maximize the usage of QES, sessional booking rate has been introduced, under which the hirer can book a 4-hour session of the day by paying half the daily rental. There are also special days during the month of June that part-day usage of the QES is offered to schools.
MR. FAN KAM-PING (in English): Madam Chairman, the two stadia are in Chinese sports stadia by name. So I would like to ask the Lady Chairman of the Entertainment Select Committee if she knows the number of recreational and sports activities events that take place in those venues in particular the QES satisfactory?
MRS. NELLIE FONG (in English): Madam Chairman, the Council is burdened with responsibility of managing the two stadia no matter what they are called. The stadia are opened for hiring. However if sports and recreational activities would like to use the stadia, they are very welcome to apply for concessionary rate or for sponsorship through the Sports Promotion Office.
MR. SAMUEL P. W. WONG (in English): Madam Chairman, it is mentioned that the aim of the running of the two stadia is as far as possible to make it financially self-sufficient. I would like to know whether that 'financially self-sufficient' term means depreciation of the venue is included or excluded?
MRS. NELLIE FONG (in English): I like to re-emphasize that the Council is burdened of the responsibility to manage the two stadia. The two stadia are built by the Hong Kong Government passed on to the Council for management. Therefore as far as the Council is concerned, there is no capital cost and therefore no depreciation. To achieve a break-even or cost efficiency, we are trying to break-even at least on the management.
STATEMENT
MR. FREDERICK K. K. FUNG, CHAIRMAN OF THE PERFORMING COMPANIES SUB-COMMITTEE (in Cantonese): The Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra has just returned from a successful tour of Taiwan.
I and Mr. MAN Sai-cheong were glad to have the opportunity to head the 81-member orchestra delegation for the visit. I am happy to give a brief account of the tour.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
59
The visit by the Orchestra in late April to early May 1988 was to participate in the 'First Environment Arts Festival' jointly presented by the Environment Musical Production (F) and the New Aspect Promotion Corporation (D) of Taiwan. This is a large-scale international arts festival which ran from April to early June, featuring music and drama by groups/artists from Japan, USA, West Germany, France, India, Hong Kong and Taiwan. The Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra was the largest professional group among the participants.
The Taiwan tour was the Orchestra's sixth overseas tour following Australia (1982), Singapore (1982), Japan (1983), South Korea (1984) and China (1987). During its 9-day stay in Taiwan, the Orchestra gave six concerts in four major cities, namely three in Taipei, and one each in Taichung, Tainan and Kaohsiung, drawing a total audience of about 11,000, representing an average attendance rate of over 90%.
All the six concerts were extremely well-received by the audience and generated a lot of publicity both in Hong Kong and in Taiwan.
Feedback from music critics and professional musicians in Taiwan is that they are impressed with:
(a) the Orchestra's high standard of performance and very good team work under the baton of the Music Director;
(b) brilliant performances by its Concert Master and Principals;
(c) its versatility in performing a wide ranging repertoire; and
(d) its level of activities year-round, and the large following for its concerts.
It is considered that the Taiwan tour has succeeded in:
(a) enhancing the image of the Council and the Orchestra in Taiwan and Hong Kong through the wide publicity generated;
(b) raising the morale of Orchestra members; and
(c) promoting exchange of ideas and experience between Chinese music circles in Taiwan and Hong Kong.
On the other hand, in Taipei, the Taiwan Government has allowed the musicians to play work composed by Chinese composers and this is the first time that the Taiwan Government allowed this to be performed. This is certainly a great improvement and directly enables culture exchange between the three places and this is really to be recorded. And the direct culture exchange among China, Taiwan and Hong Kong should be encouraged.
In conclusion, the Orchestra's tour of Taiwan is considered successful and worthwhile. I believe that the Council should continue to support similar overseas tours of the Orchestra and the other two performing companies in future.
Page 33 of 182
Page 33 of 182
58
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Lastly, on the question of concessionary rates for non-profit-making organizations, the position is that the management of the two venues does not offer concessionary rates to hirers. Hirers have to apply to the various functional Select Committees for subsidies and for co-sponsorships on any events to be held at the two venues. However, to maximize the usage of QES, sessional booking rate has been introduced, under which the hirer can book a 4-hour session of the day by paying half the daily rental. There are also special days during the month of June that part-day usage of the QES is offered to schools.
a
MR. FAN KAM-PING (in English):-Madam Chairman, the two stadia are in Chinese sports stadia by name. So I would like to ask the Lady Chairman of the Entertainment Select Committee if she knows the number of recreational and sports activities events that take place in those venues in particular the QES satisfactory?
MRS. NELLIE FONG (in English):—Madam Chairman, the Council is burdened with responsibility of managing the two stadia no matter what they are called, The stadia are opened for hiring. However if sports and recreational activities would like to use the stadia, they are very welcome to apply for concessionary rate or for sponsorship through the Sports Promotion Office.
MR. SAMUEL P. W. WONG (in English):-Madam Chairman, it is mentioned that the aim of the running of the two stadia is as far as possible to make it financially self-sufficient. I would like to know whether that financially self-sufficient' term means depreciation of the venue is included or excluded?
MRS. NELLIE FONG (in English):-I like to re-emphasize that the Council is burdened of the responsibility to manage the two stadia. The two stadia are built by the Hong Kong Government passed on to the Council for management. Therefore as far as the Council is concerned, there is no capital cost and therefore no depreciation. To achieve a break-even or cost efficiency, we are trying to break-even at least on the management.
STATEMENT
MR. FREDERICK K. K. FUNG, CHAIRMAN OF THE PERFORMING COMPANIES SUB-COMMITTEE (in Cantonese):-The Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra has just returned from a successful tour of Taiwan.
I and Mr. MAN Sai-cheong were glad to have the opportunity to head the 81-member orchestra delegation for the visit. I am happy to give a brief account of the tour.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Page 33 of 182
59
The visit by the Orchestra in late April to early May 1988 was to participate in the 'First Environment Arts Festival (-) jointly presented by the Environment Musical Production (F) and the New Aspect Promotion Corporation (D) of Taiwan. This is a large-scale international arts festival which ran from April to early June, featuring music and drama by groups/artists from Japan, USA, West Germany, France, India, Hong Kong and Taiwan. The Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra was the largest professional group among the participants.
The Taiwan tour was the Orchestra's sixth overseas tour following Australia (1982), Singapore (1982), Japan (1983), South Korea (1984) and China (1987). During its 9-day stay in Taiwan, the Orchestra gave six concerts in four major cities, namely three in Taipei (), and one each in Taichung (#4), Tainan () and Kaohsiung (), drawing a total audience of about 11 000, representing an average attendance rate of over 90%.
All the six concerts were extremely well-received by the audience and generated a lot of publicity both in Hong Kong and in Taiwan.
Feedback from music critics and professional musicians in Taiwan is that they are impressed with:
(a) the Orchestra's high standard of performance and very good team work
under the baton of the Music Director;
(b) brilliant performances by its Concert Master and Principals; (c) its versatility in performing a wide ranging repertoire; and (d) its level of activities year-round, and the large following for its concerts.
It is considered that the Taiwan tour has succeeded in:
(a) enhancing the image of the Council and the Orchestra in Taiwan and
Hong Kong through the wide publicity generated;
(b) raising the morale of Orchestra members; and
(c) promoting exchange of ideas and experience between Chinese music
circles in Taiwan and Hong Kong.
On the other hand, in Taipei, the Taiwan Government has allowed the musicians to play work composed by Chinese composers and this is the first time that the Taiwan Government allowed this to be performed. This is certainly a great improvement and directly enables culture exchange between the three places and this is really to be recorded. And the direct culture exchange among China, Taiwan and Hong Kong should be encouraged.
In conclusion, the Orchestra's tour of Taiwan is considered successful and worthwhile. I believe that the Council should continue to support similar overseas tours of the Orchestra and the other two performing companies in future.
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