ENG-1987 — Page 337

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RECREATION AND THE ARTS

students this summer, with the Governor presiding as the President. Afterwards, students from the various schools put on various performances which received excellent reviews.

A major musical event, bringing together experts and student ensembles from different parts of the world was held between June 29 and July 11, by the School of Music. The International Festival of Chamber and Vocal Music which comprised performances and master-classes by groups from China, Singapore, the United States and Britain was shown to an enthusiastic audience and favourably received. The festival culminated in the performance of Verdi's Requiem, representing the joint efforts of four local choirs as well as the Guangzhou Philharmonic Choir and the Shanghai Conservatory of Music Chamber Orchestra.

Continuing the success of its efforts in 1986, the academy presented the Second International Festival of Dance Academies between July 20 and 24 during which the Second Hong Kong International Dance Conference was jointly held with the Institute for the Promotion of Chinese Culture. Representatives from 13 regions in the world, including both Asian and Western countries, met to improve co-operation between dancers and dance organisations on an international level through performances, discussions and master-classes. The programme provided a forum of cultural exchange for more than 200 participants.

The academy processed 1 313 applications for admission in September. After extensive selective procedures, 91 students were enrolled in the various schools of dance, drama, music and technical arts for the academic year 1987-8.

Some 30 000 visitors were received by the academy this year, including Princess Margaret and a former governor, Lord MacLehose, who spoke highly of the superb facilities provided by the academy for the training of young artists.

The academy continued its outreach activities, which included regular student perform- ances, extramural courses and a summer broadcast concert series held jointly with Radio Television Hong Kong between May and July. It also stepped up its efforts to promote the use of its existing performing venues in collaboration with the Hong Kong Arts Centre.

Music Office

Established in 1977, the Music Office has played an active role in providing instrumental music training and promoting interest in music among young people in Hong Kong. To celebrate its 10th anniversary, a series of programmes under the theme of 'Music Office in the Community' was organised to mark the office's contributions to the promotion of music activities in Hong Kong. Starting in November 1987 with the Youth Chinese Music Week, and continuing through December with the String Music Week and Band Week, the 10th anniversary celebration activities will be carried into 1988.

Nearly all the Music Office's trainees, together with many local amateur music groups, were involved in staging performances for the general public – in concert halls, community centres, shopping arcades, playgrounds and hospitals. Participation in these activities by overseas musicians and youth groups from China, Japan and the United States added colour to the celebration and provided opportunities for music exchange for Hong Kong's young musicians.

Regular activities continued to be held in the eight music training centres throughout Hong Kong. Under the Instrumental Music Training Scheme, weekly instrumental classes for both Western and Chinese music were held for some 3 800 trainees, aged from six to 23, in 660 classes with 45 talented trainees being given individual tuition. To complement instrumental tuition, aural and theory training classes were organised. Besides training by