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More than 400 musicians will perform in the "2009 Music Office Annual Gala" at the Concert Hall of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre on March 22 (Sunday). The gala will feature a wide range of classical and contemporary music by Wong Ka-kui, Kuan Nai-chung, Tchaikovsky and Mendelssohn.
All the musicians are trainees from the six orchestras and choirs of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department's Music Office: the Hong Kong Youth Chinese Orchestra, Hong Kong Youth Symphonic Band, Hong Kong Youth Strings, Hong Kong Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Music Office Youth Choir and Children's Choir.
Under the baton of Angelina Au, Tsui Ying-fai, Pak Wing-heng, Lee Sing-wan and Ng Ka-ming, the trainees will demonstrate the skills and techniques they have acquired from music classes run by the Music Office.
Programme highlights are Wong Ka-kui's "Beyond the Horizon", with the essence of Chinese operatic music "Commander Mu Guiying", praising the courage of the ancient heroine; Mendelssohn's oratorio masterpiece, "And Then Shall Your Light Break Forth"; "Getting to Know You" from the famous musical "The King and I"; the rapid tempo "Travelling Song" which is a tribute to the opening of Russia's first railroad, and Tchaikovsky's "Capriccio Italien, Op.45."
The concert will also feature "Jungle Fantasy" which brings Latin and African dance styles to life in a "big band" setting, Kodaly's "Evening Song", Shostakovich's "Festive Overture, Op.96" played by woodwind and brass instruments, and Mussorgsky's symphonic poem "Night on the Bare Mountain".
Tickets priced at $80, $60 and $40 for the 3pm concert are now available at all URBTIX outlets. Half-price concessions are available to senior citizens, people with disabilities, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients.
For programme enquiries, please call 2796 7537 or 2582 5311 or visit the website, www.lcsd.gov.hk/musicoffice . Internet bookings can be made at www.urbtix.hk and telephone reservations on 2734 9009.
Ends/Friday, March 6, 2009
Issued at HKT 18:28
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