ENG-1994 — Page 441

RECREATION, SPORTS AND THE ARTS

Regional Council Venues

The Regional Council manages three major civic centres in Sha Tin, Tsuen Wan and Tuen Mun and three smaller ones in Yuen Long, Tai Po and Sheung Shui. Planning is at an advanced stage to build two new civic centres in Kwai Tsing and Yuen Long by 1997-98.

Music Office

The Music Office, set up in 1977 by the government, provides instrumental music instruc- tion and promotes interest in music among young people.

The Instrumental Music Training Scheme is open to young people aged between six and 23. In 1994, over 600 training classes in both Western and Chinese instruments were conducted for about 3 000 trainees in five music centres. To help young people take up musical training, the Music Office hires out musical instruments at a modest charge. Trainees are provided with aural and theory instruction as well as orchestral and band training. Masterclasses and seminars are conducted by local and overseas visiting musicians. For particularly talented young musicians, special training is provided.

The Music Office manages one symphony orchestra, four string orchestras, five Chinese orchestras, four symphonic bands and two choirs. The age of members ranges from eight to 25.

To promote interest in music, the office organises an annual music gala and various music festivals. A major activity is the Music for the Millions concerts. Over 200 such concerts were presented in schools and community and welfare facilities throughout the territory for a total audience of about 100 000. The office also helps the handicapped to enjoy music by holding concerts and training sessions at special schools.

The office organises international music exchanges to foster mutual understanding among young musicians and to broaden their horizons. In August, the Hong Kong Youth Symphony Orchestra made a concert tour to Beijing and Tianjin in China.

The government's arts policy review consultation document, issued in March 1993, recommended that the possibility of transferring the work of the Music Office to a non- government organisation should be explored, so that the work can be carried out more effectively, flexibly and creatively. After careful consideration of received proposals, the government decided to transfer the functions of the Music Office to the municipal councils around the middle of 1995.

Hong Kong Jockey Club Music Fund

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Music Fund was set up in 1979 with a donation of $10 million from the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club for the promotion and development of music, dance and other related activities. It is a non-statutory trust fund, administered by a board of trustees. In 1994, the club provided a capital injection of $22 million to the fund, to meet the increase in demand for support.

During the year, the fund awarded 150 grants and nine scholarships totalling $2,810,900. These enabled young people to study music and dance abroad, and assisted local schools and organisations to acquire or repair musical instruments and dance equipment, and to set up

bands or orchestras.

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