ENG-1983 — Page 294

RECREATION AND THE ARTS

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performance in September, two of the five graduates were accepted as dancers by the company and one was employed as a teacher at the school. Students at the school which is expected to become part of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts by 1985 - continued to benefit from the Hong Kong Jockey Club Music Fund and Zonta Club scholarships.

The ballet company grew in strength with the new intake from the school, and 1983 saw the expansion of its repertoire as well as guest appearances. The company continued to perform throughout Hong Kong and in March launched the Hong Kong Ballet, the name under which it now performs.

Music Office

The Music Office of the Recreation and Culture Department was set up in 1977 to provide instrumental music training for young people, to promote and stimulate an interest in music - particularly among the young - and to encourage and assist in organising music activities in all districts. During 1983, the office was regularly conducting 619 weekly instrumental classes in both Western and Chinese instruments for nearly 2 700 students at its eight music centres.

Aural and theory training continued to supplement instrumental instruction, special training was provided for 33 talented young musicians, and master classes and seminars were conducted by visiting musicians. The office consolidated and expanded the training of youth orchestras, bands and choirs, and it now operates two youth symphony orchestras, three youth string orchestras, six youth Chinese orchestras, five youth symphonic bands, two choirs and a children's marching band. Members attended weekly rehearsals and gave many public performances during the year.

'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, 338 concerts were held for a combined audience of 300 800 people.

The office continued to organise international exchange programmes and local young musicians took part in music camps and festivals in the United States and the United Kingdom. The Fourth Hong Kong Youth Music Camp, held in the summer at St Stephen's College, Stanley, attracted nearly 500 young musicians, including a number of overseas delegates. Nine renowned overseas musicians joined the camp's faculty staff as guest conductors and instructors. A Chinese Music Festival was staged for a week in November. The Sixth Hong Kong Youth Band Festival was held in December at the Lady MacLehose Holiday Village and was, for the first time, residential. More than 200 young musicians took part.

Hong Kong Conservatory of Music

Founded in 1978 with private funds to train performers and orchestral musicians, the Hong Kong Conservatory of Music has been receiving financial support from the government since 1980. The number of students has grown from seven to 38 and now covers nearly the full range of orchestral instruments.

Some of the conservatory's graduates are already playing with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, while students have won several important awards and scholar- ships and have been chosen to represent Hong Kong in the Hong Kong Jing Ying 1983 Overseas Tour. It is expected that conservatory students will be absorbed into the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts by 1985.