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The Outreach Music Interest Courses Programme, organised by the Music Office of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), is now open for applications. Over 100 courses, varying from Chinese and Western musical instrument classes to diverse musical workshops, offer interesting choices for applicants of all ages, from adults to children.
The courses, conducted in Cantonese, will be held from March to July.
Newly launched courses for this term include "Introduction to Cantonese Operas", which introduces the development of this art form, basic performance techniques, and various stage acts and dances of Cantonese opera singers. Another new course is "The World Renowned Vocalists", which introduces the unique singing skills, achievements and important performances of famous vocalists like Pavarotti, Domingo, Caruso, Sutherland and Bartoli, as well as their contributions to classical music development.
Also new is a course titled "Choral Conducting Workshop", which examines the role of choir conductors, know-how in the selection of repertories and rehearsal arrangements, as well as the understanding of different styles of conducting. Finally, the "Introduction to Harmonica Playing" course covers basic techniques including playing chromatic harmonica, diaphragmatic breathing to cleaning and maintenance of the instrument.
Other regular courses cover guitar and keyboard playing, vocal singing, sight-singing, music theory, aural training and ensemble techniques on Chinese ensemble, string ensemble and saxophone ensemble. All courses are available for different age groups, and course fees range from $240 to $600.
To provide short-term basic music training for all ages, the Outreach Music Interest Courses also provide Chinese and Western elementary music classes for dizi, xiao, erhu, pipa, liuyeqin, zhong-ruan, yangqin, zheng, flute, saxophone, clarinet, trumpet, violin, viola, cello and percussion. The course fee is $800.
The courses will be held in small groups at different venues throughout Hong Kong. Venues are the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Hong Kong City Hall, Sha Tin Town Hall, Tsuen Wan Town Hall, Tuen Mun Town Hall, Sheung Wan Civic Centre, Sai Wan Ho Civil Centre, Ngau Chi Wan Civic Centre, Tai Po Civic Centre, Kwai Tsing Theatre, Ko Shan Theatre, Hong Kong Central Library, Pei Ho Street Sports Centre (Sham Shui Po), Yeung Uk Road Sports Centre (Tsuen Wan) and the Music Office's music centres - Wan Chai, Mong Kok, Sha Tin and Tsuen Wan.
Course prospectuses and application forms are now available at all performing venues of the LCSD and music centres of the Music Office. Online applications are also available at the Music Office's website www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/MusicOffice/en/events_2011_12_22.php#content. The deadline for applications is January 20. Oversubscribed courses will be processed by ballot. For courses not fully taken up, applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis from February 15.
For enquiries, please call 2582 5334 or 2598 0801.
Ends/Friday, January 13, 2012
Issued at HKT 15:33
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