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The Outreach Music Interest Courses organised by the Music Office of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) are now open for applications. Over 100 courses ranging from Chinese and Western musical instrument classes to diverse music workshops will offer a wide variety of choices for applicants of different ages. The courses will be held from March to July next year.
Some new areas of study have been introduced. For example, children aged from 7 to 11 who are interested in learning to play brass instruments can apply for the new course "Experiencing Brass Instruments", on which participants can attend classes with their parents. The course will introduce the structure and sound of brass instruments (baritone and horn), as well as basic music theory, such as simple rhythms and bass clef notes. Participants will be able to experience the playing of brass instruments in a fun and easy way.
Another new course is entitled "Music Tour Around the World", which also caters for children, aged 6 to 12, who can be accompanied by their parents. The course will cover some of the ethnic musical activities and musical instruments of Africa, North America and South America, as well as characteristics of world music, such as polyrhythms, improvisations and collective composition.
Other regular workshop series include early childhood music education, ocarina, guitar, keyboard playing, classical vocal singing, Western music theory (Grades 1 and 2) and aural training, as well as ensemble playing of flute, saxophone, Chinese musical instruments, Western strings and Western orchestral instruments. The course fees for the workshop series range from $168 to $630.
The Outreach Music Interest Courses also provide basic training on xiao, liuyeqin, zhong-ruan, pipa, yangqin, zheng, dizi, erhu, clarinet, saxophone, flute, trumpet, percussion (glockenspiel and practice pad), violin, viola and cello. The course fee is $840. Most of these courses offer an "Adults and Teenagers Class" and a "Children Class" to cater for participants of different ages.
All courses will be conducted in small groups in Cantonese. They will be held at different venues throughout Hong Kong, namely the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Sha Tin Town Hall, Tsuen Wan Town Hall, Tuen Mun Town Hall, Sheung Wan Civic Centre, Sai Wan Ho Civic 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) and the Music Office's music centres in Wan Chai, Mong Kok, Kwun Tong, Sha Tin and Tsuen Wan.
Online applications can now be made through the Music Office's website www.lcsd.gov.hk/musicoffice. Course prospectuses and application forms are also available at all performing venues of the LCSD and music centres of the Music Office. The deadline for applications is January 15 next year. 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 12.
For enquiries, please call 2596 0898 or 2582 5334.
Ends/Monday, December 29, 2014
Issued at HKT 11:22
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