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The following is issued on behalf of the Provisional Urban Council:

Hong Kong Oratorio Society, recognised as one of the finest choirs in Southeast Asia, will perform a delightful Christmas concert together with the Hong Kong Children's Choir and mezzo-soprano Lee Bing, on December 18 (Saturday) at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall.

It will be an evening of joyful Christmas carols including "An Evening Hymn"; "Ave Maria"; "Beauty and the Beast Christmas Suite"; "Angel's Carol" and "Christmas Fanfare". Carols sung together with the audience include "Joy to the World" and "Silent Night".

Under the baton of Andrew Cheung, Hong Kong Sinfonietta will provide musical accompaniment in this concert.

Founded in 1956 with a membership of more than 100 singers, the Hong Kong Oratorio Society can proudly proclaim itself as the longest established and most active choir in Hong Kong. It has performed in Israel, the Philippines, Macau, Taiwan, Canada, Singapore, Korea and mainland China with great success. The Society has presented hundreds of concerts and performed over 80 oratorios and choral works by classical and contemporary composers.

Mezzo-soprano singer, Lee Bing, graduated from the Royal College of Music of London with high honours, including the Emma Albani Prize in Singing, has enjoyed an eminently successful career as a concert singer and has given full solo recitals at regular interval. She has been a teacher in voice in the Chinese University of Hong Kong since 1965 and has made three recordings for the major record labels.

About 2,700 children have received choral, instrumental, dancing, art and craft training from the Hong Kong Children's Choir since its establishment in 1969. Touring groups are invited to give overseas performances each year and their music has been heard in over 38 countries, gaining an international reputation as "one of the best children's choirs in the world".

Tickets of $150, $120, $90 and $60 are now available at all URBTIX outlets with half-price concession available for senior citizens, people with disabilities and full-time students. Programme enquiries can be made at 2734 2000 and reservation at 2734 9009.

END/Tuesday, November 30, 1999

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