ENG-2003 — Page 477

RECREATION, SPORT AND THE ARTS

Music Office

The main objectives of the Music Office are to promote general music education in the community, especially for young people; to develop public interest in music; and to foster sharing of music among local young musicians and their counterparts all over the world. The Music Office runs 18 youth orchestras/bands/choirs that have 1 300 members. In 2003, it organised an instrumental music training scheme for 4 200 trainees, short-term music interest courses for 2 000 participants, and 340 musical activities for audiences that totalled 190 000. Other major events included a music camp, youth music 'interflows', and music youth exchange programmes for local, Mainland and overseas young musicians.

Cultural Venues

Hong Kong Cultural Centre

Since its inauguration in 1989, the Hong Kong Cultural Centre has established itself as Hong Kong's premier performing arts venue, attracting leading artists from around the world. It has three main performing venues: Concert Hall, Grand Theatre and Studio Theatre with seating capacities of 2019, 1 734 and 303/496, respectively. In 2003, a total of 537 496 people attended 671 performances in these venues. An Arts and Crafts Fair is organised at the Piazza every Sunday and on selected public holidays with the aim of enhancing the cultural atmosphere of the venue and attracting visitors.

Hong Kong City Hall

The Hong Kong City Hall has commanded a special place in Hong Kong's cultural life since its establishment in 1962. It is a major multi-purpose complex comprising a Concert Hall, Theatre, Recital Hall, Exhibition Hall and Exhibition Gallery. A total of 1 630 events were held during the year, attracting 340 175 people.

Regional and District Civic Centres

In addition to the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Hong Kong City Hall and the two indoor stadia, the LCSD operates 11 regional and district civic centres: the Sheung Wan Civic Centre and Sai Wan Ho Civic Centre on Hong Kong Island; the Ngau Chi Wan Civic Centre and Ko Shan Theatre in Kowloon; and the Sha Tin Town Hall, Tsuen Wan Town Hall, Tuen Mun Town Hall, Kwai Tsing Theatre, Yuen Long Theatre, North District Town Hall and Tai Po Civic Centre in the New Territories.

Through the 'Artist-in-residence' Scheme, 12 local arts groups made use of these 11 venues for a designated period in 2003 to develop and promote their creative works and education programmes among the district communities.

The 'Programme Partnership' Scheme, first launched in 2002 at the Yuen Long Theatre and the North District Town Hall, was extended to the Sheung Wan Civic Centre and the Ngau Chi Wan Civic Centre. Under this scheme, facilities and resources were provided to selected arts groups so they could organise audience- building programmes and create new works. In this way, the arts community is offered the opportunity to be involved in organising programmes and to fully utilise the facilities at these civic centres.

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