ENG-1981 — Page 285

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RECREATION AND THE ARTS

Aural and theory training was also provided to prepare students for the Royal School of Music examinations and to supplement students' instruction in musical instruments. Special training was provided for some 28 talented young musicians and 69 master classes and seminars conducted by visiting musicians were also held for 5 260 students and music lovers. The Music Office continued to consolidate and expand the training of youth orchestras, bands and choirs, and it now runs two youth symphony orchestras, five youth Chinese orchestras, five youth symphonic bands and six choirs. Members attended weekly rehearsals and gave 17 public performances during the year. A children's marching band has been formed.

'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, 323 concerts were held for a combined audience of 226 000 people.

The office continued to organise international exchange programmes and in March 1981, a group of young Chinese dancers and musicians participated in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award 25th Anniversary Commonwealth Ball and the Camden Festival in London. Twelve young musicians took part in the Fourth Asian Youth Music Camp in Japan; and the Hong Kong Jing Ying, comprising five Chinese musicians and a Chamber Orchestra of 45 young musicians, participated in the Fifth Australian Youth Music Festival. Seminars on Chinese music were also conducted in Sydney under the auspices of the New South Wales State Conservatorium. A group of five musicians from the Music Office and dancers from the Recreation and Sport Service participated in the Aberdeen International Festival of Music and the Performing Arts and the 17th Billingham International Folklore Festival in the United Kingdom.

The second Hong Kong Youth Music Camp was a major event organised by the Music Office and the Recreation and Sport Service. The camp, at the Wu Kwai Sha Youth Village, was attended by 251 young musicians including 12 young string players from the Hertfordshire County Music School. The Fourth Hong Kong Youth Symphonic Band Festival in November featured a band parade and a series of concerts at the Academic Community Hall, Queen Elizabeth Stadium and Fanling Sports Ground.

Festival of Asian Arts

The sixth Festival of Asian Arts was held in Hong Kong for 17 days in October. This major artistic event, organised by the Urban Council, attracted more than 450 participants from Australia, Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Pakistan, The Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Turkey. They were joined by over 2 000 local performers.

Altogether, 159 events - covering a wide spectrum of the arts in Asia – were staged at the City Hall, the Queen Elizabeth Stadium, the Hong Kong Space Museum and at various outdoor venues on Hong Kong Island and in Kowloon. Four exhibitions on Malaysian folkcrafts, contemporary Hong Kong art, Yixing pottery and contemporary Bangladesh art were also held. Well over 184 000 people were entertained by these performances at indoor and outdoor venues. Over the past six years, the festival has developed into a cultural event of considerable local and regional significance.

Hong Kong Arts Festival

The 1981 festival launched its month-long programme with the opening concert by Britain's Halle Orchestra followed by other renowned orchestras and performers. Under

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