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RECREATION AND THE ARTS

The integration of its school, the Hong Kong Academy of Ballet, into the Academy for Performing Arts was completed in the year. The last graduation performance by the students was held on September 26.

The company presented over 70 performances, 18 of them at major venues. The first of these took place in May at Ko Shan Theatre, featuring Prince Igor, Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux, and three works by Garry Trinder - Voices From God, Counterpoint Variations, and Pie Jesu.

In July, a gala performance was held at the APA Lyric Theatre. It presented four important works by Trinder, one of which was Wind Song, a world premiere.

In September, a full-length classic, Giselle, was staged at the City Hall Concert Hall. Also held at the same venue was a November production for which Australian choreographer Jonathan Taylor was invited to present two works: Quicksilver and Sweet Sorrow. In December Harry Haythorne, Artistic Director of New Zealand Ballet came to mount Coppelia, for the company at the APA Lyric Theatre.

The company was invited by the Chinese Dancers Association to perform at Dr Sun Yat Sen Theatre in Canton, in October. It marked the opening of the Canton Trade Fair.

At the request of the Urban Council and the Hong Kong Housing Authority, the company performed regularly in playgrounds and housing estates. Furthermore, it con- tinued with its Dance Education Programme for local schools.

City Contemporary Dance Company

The City Contemporary Dance Company moved into larger premises comprising four floors, with space for five studios and an experimental theatre, enabling it to further its aim of dance promotion.

In an innovative plan to develop the company and its audience, the company introduced a dance subscription series, the first of its kind in Hong Kong. The series presented four large-scale productions, which included seven world premieres, within four months.

The company was also invited to appear in the Hong Kong Arts Festival, Festival of Asian Arts as well as various district festivals, reaching out and bringing 59 performances to the community.

Hong Kong Conservatory of Music

The final absorption of the Hong Kong Conservatory of Music with the School of Music at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts proceeded smoothly during the academic year 1985-6. Four conservatory students who graduated during the year were awarded the last conservatory diplomas. All the other students were transferred to the academy.

Dr Allen Percival, formerly Principal of the Guildhall, who originally advised the government on the curriculum for the conservatory, came to Hong Kong as external examiner. In his final report, Dr Percival spoke highly of the standard achieved by the conservatory. At the final Diploma Presentation Ceremony on June 20, Professor David Gwilt, formerly Consultative Director of the conservatory, also spoke warmly of the historical importance of the conservatory in relation to instrumental teaching at the highest levels in Hong Kong, and as an example in pioneering terms to the School of Music in the academy.

Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts

The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts was officially opened by Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent in February this year. The administration and the academy blocks had been in use since the previous summer.