Music Office annual concert a great success
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The“2004 Music Office Annual Gala", held this afternoon (March 28) at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall, was a great success, with a blend of Western and Chinese music performed by 450 young musicians.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Anissa Wong said the annual gala was an important event at which trainees and orchestra members were recognised for their outstanding performances. She noted that it was also an annual gathering to showcase their musical achievements of the previous year.

“Musical training not only gives the students a wonderful skill, it also plays an important role in shaping their character," Ms Wong said. “Apart from developing perseverance and will power, the trainees will learn how to communicate with others and work as a team". She hoped that all members of the training courses and orchestras of the Music Office would become superb musicians and outstanding members of the community.

Performing troupes included the Hong Kong Youth Strings, Hong Kong Youth Symphony Orchestra, Hong Kong Youth Symphonic Band, Hong Kong Youth Chinese Plucked String Orchestra, Hong Kong Youth Chinese Orchestra, Music Office Youth Choir and Music Office Children's Choir, under the batons of Angelina Au, Patrick Sze, Chan Tat-kwong, Yau Yuen-hing, Pak Wing-heng, Kwok Kin-ming and Tsui Ying-fai.

The programme included Kuan Nai-chung's world premiere, “Joyful Encounter of North and South", Schubert's “An die Musik", Liszt's “Les Preludes", Tchaikovsky's “Serenade in C Major for Strings, Op. 48 (4th Movement)", Chabrier's “Espana Rhapsody", Cao Wengong's “Dream of City Loulan" and Gu Guanren's “A Grand Gathering on Tienshan".

Ends/Sunday, March 28, 2004
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