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Presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, "Concert of Joyful Christmas" by Pan Asia Symphony Orchestra will be staged during Christmas for you and your family.

The concert includes many popular and classical pieces to bring you a festive and enjoyable night. Programme includes Christensen's "Variations of Joy to the World", Franck's "French Christmas Suite", Berlin's "White Christmas", "A Christmas Treat" arranged by Bowden and many more.

Pan Asia Symphony Orchestra, founded in 1976 by Dr Yip Wai-hong, is a highly organized amateur orchestra aiming at promoting music among the general public especially the young generation in Hong Kong. n order to achieve its goal, the Orchestra has performed frequently in the Hong Kong City Hall, regional town halls, civic centres as well as parks and playgrounds a few hundred times over the past years. A number of internationally famous conductors and soloists have been invited to perform with it. By using the idioms of popular music and organizing concert talks, the Orchestra has successfully introduced serious music and Chinese orchestral music to the public, and at the same time, brought about an awareness of the indigenous culture of the people.

Dr. Yip, Music Director and Conductor of the Orchestra, also founded the Hong Kong Children's Choir in 1969 and co-founded several local children's choirs in Hong Kong. In 1983, he established the Yip's Children's Choir. Dr Yip was honoured the title 'Father of Children's Choir'.

Also perform in the concert will be Guest Conductor Dr. Gabriel Leung and Yip's Children's Choir.

"Concert of Joyful Christmas" will be staged at 8pm on December 25 (Wednesday) at the Auditorium, Sha Tin Town Hall and December 26 (Thursday) at the Auditorium, Tsuen Wan Town Hall. Tickets priced at $100, $80 and $60 are now available at all URBTIX outlets. Half-price concessions will be granted to senior citizens, people with disabilities, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) recipients (Discount tickets for students and CSSA recipients available on a first-come, first-served basis).

For programme enquiries, please call 2268 7321; for ticketing enquiries and reservation, please call 2734 9009; for credit card telephone booking, please call 2111 5999; for internet booking, please visit www.urbtix.gov.hk. To search more information on internet, please visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/cp

End/Monday, November 25, 2002

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