Page 112 of 166
210
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra
Next, I would like to say a few words on the Hong Kong Philharmonic.
The past year has been for the Hong Kong Philharmonic a unique experience, the new home for the Orchestra together with a new contract with the players. The Committee has helped to create a more stable group. Maestro David ATHERTON's appointment as the new Music Director cannot be underestimated. His broad and fresh approach to music making has established greater discipline and professionalism throughout the Orchestra. It is hoped that he will contribute greatly to the wider aspect of music making in Hong Kong.
The highlight of the Orchestra's fifteenth season as a professional orchestra was undoubtedly the opening of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre and the Orchestra's involvement in these celebrations. The privilege of working with such famous and renowned artists, such as Jessye NORMAN, Joan SUTHERLAND, John WILLIAMS, Bach CHOIR, Sir David WILLCOCKS, gave the Orchestra exposure they richly deserved. Fine compliments from the press and artists alike will be a gratifying indication of the hard work over the year by the Society and its members.
On the two fronts, artistically and domestically, much work has to be done and as in all artistic enterprises improvement and the refinements made continuously. However, there is no doubt that the season ahead will be arduous following the event of June 1989 with the lack of confidence ensued. So far the Society has a few indications of lack of morale and unrest for the loss of personnel, but there are signs that this will not remain so. Ironically, it is the local musicians who feel the pressure most and being able to eventually have a predominantly local orchestra, we may have to rely on a larger number of expatriate players.
The support from the public has been good. The audience figures so far have been more than satisfactory with over 90% attendance in the first two subscription concerts in the Cultural Centre with a predominantly new and young local audience. Although it is early days, it is hoped that the present trend will be maintained particularly in the new venue.
To create stability called for flexibility of management while maintaining the financial base. In this regard, our thanks from the orchestra must go to the Urban Council and fellow Councillors for their continued support. Without this financial help as the sole public funding body and their specific co-operation with the use of the Cultural Centre, the future indeed will be gloomy.
The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra is without doubt the flagship of professional artistic groups in Hong Kong giving a true international status to its artistic endeavour. No longer just a stop for artists on their way to other Asian Centres, Hong Kong is becoming a destination in itself for the best artistic reasons. As an Asian Philosopher said, 'When all passes, art alone will endure.'.
With these remarks, I support the motion.
MR. JOSEPH Y. S. CHAN (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, as the Chairman of the Libraries Select Committee, I would like to comment on the library services provided by our Council first.
I. Library services
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
(1) Library automation
211
At present, there are 2,200,000 items of materials kept in our libraries. By 1997, the number of these items will be increased to 3,400,000 and our libraries will be increased from the present number of 29 to 41. In view of such a great number of libraries and library materials, our Council should adopt an automated management system to meet the demands of our technologically advanced society.
The library automation project was first launched in the early 1980's but has not yet materialized in 1990. This is really a bit disappointing to the public and I myself cannot help feeling quite regrettable about it.
Mr. Chairman, although I am in favour of shelving the automation project for the time being, I think that we must continue to collect information on automation systems which are suitable for introduction in UC libraries. Notwithstanding that a greater amount of expenditure may be incurred, we should not give up this idea of modernized management, otherwise our library services will remain manually operated forever and be apparently outdated and lagging behind those of modern countries in the world.
At present, microcomputers and digital compact discs (CD-ROM) databases are provided in the Kowloon Central Library, Arts Library and City Hall Public Library. I believe that these facilities should be extended to libraries in other districts to provide quick reference services for readers. At the same time, our library staff may make use of microcomputers to enhance their administrative efficiency. In doing so, they will familiarize themselves with the operation of computers, and be ready for the introduction of the library automation project in the future.
(2) Reference Libraries
The educational level of the public has been improved since the implementation of the policy of 9 years' compulsory free education in Hong Kong. Moreover, as Hong Kong has long become world-famous for its advanced technology and development in industry and commerce, the general public has developed a strong desire to acquire knowledge. In addition, the Open Learning Institute of Hong Kong was recently set up by the Government to offer chances to a large number of working people to continue their studies during their spare time. Therefore, the fact that only books on common knowledge are provided by our libraries makes it impossible for us to cope with the developments of society and the actual demand of the people.
Mr. Chairman, I believe that there is really an urgent need for our Council to expand the services of our reference libraries. The reference libraries of the City Hall Public Library and the Central Kowloon Library should be combined into a fully equipped and modernized library with a
Page 112 of 166
Page 112 of 166
Page 112 of 166
210
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra
Next, I would like to say a few words on the Hong Kong Philharmonic.
a
an
The past year has been for the Hong Kong Philharmonic a
unique experience, the new home for the Orchestra together with a new contract with the players. The Committee has helped to create a more stable group. Maestro David ATHERTON's appointment as the new Music Director cannot be under. estimated. His broad and fresh approach to music making has established greater discipline and professionalism throughout the Orchestra. It is hoped that he will contribute greatly to the wider aspect of music making in Hong Kong. The highlight of the Orchestra's fifteenth season as
professional orchestra was undoubtedly the opening of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre and the Orchestra's involvement in these celebrations. The privilege of working with such famous and renowned artists, such as Jessye NORMAN, Joan SUTHERLAND, John WILLIAMS, Bach CHOIR, Sir David WILLCOCKS, gave the Orchestra exposure they richly deserved. Fine compliments from the press and artists alike will be a gratifying indication of the hard work over the year by the Society and its members. On the two fronts, artistically and domestically, much work has to be done and as in all artistic enterprises improvement and the refinements made continuously. However, there is no doubt that the season ahead will be arduous following the event of June 1989 with the lack of confidence ensued. So far the Society has a few indication of lack of morale and unrest for the loss of personnel, but there are signs that this will not remain so. Ironically, it is the local musicians who feel the pressure most and being able to eventually have a predominantly local orchestra, we may have to rely on larger number of expatriate players. The support from the public has been good. The audience figures so far have been more than satisfactory with over 90% attendance in the first two subscription concerts in the Cultural Centre with a predominantly new and young local audience. Although it is early day, it is hoped that the present trend will be maintained particularly in the new venue. To create stability called for flexibility of management while maintaining the financial base. In this regard, our thanks from the orchestra must go to the Urban Council and fellow Councillors for their continued support. Without this financial help as the sole public funding body and their specific co-operation with the use of the Cultural Centre, the future indeed will be gloomy. The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra is without doubt the flagship of professional artistic groups in Hong Kong giving a true international status to its artistic endeavour. No longer to artists just drop in on their way to other Asian Centres, Hong Kong is becoming a destination in itself for the best artistic reasons. As an Asian Philosopher said, 'When all passes, art alone will endure.'.
With these remarks, I support the motion.
MR. JOSEPH Y. S. CHAN (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, as the Chairman of the Libraries Select Committee, I would like to comment on the library services provided by our Council first.
I. Library services
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
(1) Library automation
211
At present, there are 2200 000 items of materials kept in our libraries. By 1997, the number of these items will be increased to 3400 000 and our libraries will be increased from the present number of 29 to 41. In view of such a great number of libraries and library materials, our Council should adopt an automated management system to meet the demands of our technologically advanced society.
The library automation project was first launched in the early 1980's but has not yet materialized in 1990. This is really a bit disappointing to the public and I myself cannot help feeling quite regrettable about it.
Mr. Chairman, although I am in favour of shelving the automation project for the time being, I think that we must continue to collect information on automation systems which are suitable for introduction in UC libraries. Notwithstanding that a greater amount of expenditure may be incurred, we should not give up this idea of modernized management, otherwise our library services will remain manually operated forever and be apparently outdated and lagging behind those of modern countries in the world.
At present, microcomputers and digital compact discs (CD-ROM) databases are provided in the Kowloon Central Library, Arts Library and City Hall Public Library. I believe that these facilities should be extended to libraries in other districts to provide quick reference services for readers. At the same time, our library staff may make use of microcomputers to enhance their administrative efficiency. In doing so, they will familiarize themselves with the operation of computers, and be ready for the introduction of the library automation project in the future.
(2) Reference Libraries
The educational level of the public has been improved since the implementation of the policy of 9 years' compulsory free education in Hong Kong. Moreover, as Hong Kong has long become world famous for its advanced technology and development in industry and commerce, the general public has developed a strong desire to acquire knowledge. In addition, the Open Learning Institute of Hong Kong was recently set up by the Government to offer chances to a large number of working people to continue their studies during their spare time. Therefore, the fact that only books on common knowledge are provided by our libraries makes it impossible for us to cope with the developments of society and the actual demand of the people.
Mr. Chairman, I believe that there is really an urgent need for our Council to expand the services of our reference libraries. The reference libraries of the City Hall Public Library and the Central Kowloon Library should be combined into a fully equipped and modernized library with a
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