ENG-1992 — Page 387

RECREATION, SPORTS AND THE ARTS

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Located in the town centres, each major cultural centre houses a 1400-seat multi- purpose auditorium designed for staging performances ranging from symphony concerts to ballets. Other facilities include a cultural activities hall, an exhibition gallery, lecture rooms, rehearsal spaces, and music and dance studios. All facilities are offered for public hiring at reasonable charges. The centres are well served by public transport and there are restaurants, shopping centres and carparks in their vicinity.

For the smaller cultural centres, an 800-seat auditorium and ancillary function rooms are provided.

Computerised Ticketing

The Urban Council operates URBTIX (Urban Ticketing System), a computerised system providing a full range of ticketing services primarily in support of culture and entertain- ment events. URBTIX not only sells tickets for the Urban Council's own presentations, but also acts as a ticketing agent and offers the same quality ticketing services for events presented by the Regional Council, Hong Kong Arts Centre, the Academy for the Performing Arts and other organisations.

URBTIX services include counter and postal bookings as well as telephone reservations. It also handles telephone bookings for its registered patrons.

URBTIX runs a network of 18 outlets throughout Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories, all capable of providing 'real time' transactions. During the year, 4.2 million tickets were sold through the system.

Music Office

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The Music Office, a part of the Government Secretariat's Recreation and Culture Branch, plays an active role in providing instrumental music training and promoting interest in music among young people.

The Instrumental Music Training Scheme is open to young people between six and 23 years of age. Over 660 training classes in both western and Chinese instruments for about 3 000 trainees were conducted in six music centres. For talented young musicians, special training is provided. To help young people in taking musical training, the Music Office hires out musical instruments to its trainees at a modest charge. The office also encourages the handicapped to enjoy music by holding concerts and training sessions at special schools.

In addition to instrumental training, the trainees are provided with aural and theory training as well as orchestral and band training. Masterclasses and seminars are con- ducted by local and overseas visiting musicians. The office also manages two symphony orchestras, five string orchestras, six Chinese orchestras, six symphonic bands and two choirs.

To promote interest in music among young people, the office organises an annual music gala and various music festivals. Another major activity is the Music for the Millions concerts. Over 290 such concerts were presented in schools, community and welfare facilities all over Hong Kong for a total audience of 123 000.

The office organises international music exchanges to foster mutual understanding among young musicians and to broaden their horizons. In September, an ensemble of the Hong Kong Youth Chinese Orchestra and the Festival Hong Kong Children's Chorus performed in Festival Hong Kong '92 in Toronto and Calgary, Canada. At the same time,