More than 200 orchestras and bands to participate in "Youth Music Interflows"
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     More than 200 orchestras and bands from primary and secondary schools will participate in "2010 Hong Kong Youth Music Interflows", from November 18 to December 26.

     Organised annually by the Music Office of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, "Hong Kong Youth Music Interflows" aims to provide an opportunity for musical exchange for local young musicians, and to enhance the standard of participating groups.

     It includes contests for Symphonic Bands, Symphony Orchestras, String Orchestras and Chinese Orchestras. The competition this year has been well received, with a record high number of participating teams.

     Sixty-six bands will compete in the Symphonic Band Contest in five classes at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium, from November 18 and 21. The Gold Award winners of each class will vie for respective Grand Champion titles in the primary and secondary school categories at the Winners' Final, on December 26 at the Tsuen Wan Town Hall Auditorium.

     Internationally renowned euphonium player Steven Mead, known for his extraordinary pioneering work with the euphonium and perhaps the foremost euphonium soloist, will perform with the Hong Kong Youth Symphonic Band in the final.

     There will be 39 teams in the Symphony Orchestra Contest and 38 teams in the String Orchestra Contest. The secondary and primary school competitions will be held at the Yuen Long Theatre on November 20 and the Auditorium of the Tsuen Wan Town Hall on December 3 respectively. Young violin soloist Huang Yi will perform in two of the competition sessions.

     Sixty-six orchestras will take part in the Chinese Orchestra Contest to be held in three sessions at the Tuen Mun Town Hall Auditorium on December 20 and 21. Highly acclaimed Zheng soloist, Luo Jing, and the Hong Kong Youth Chinese Orchestra will perform in different sessions of the contest.

     Tickets priced at $30 for Symphonic Band, Symphony Orchestra and String Orchestra Contests are now available at all URBTIX outlets. Tickets for the Chinese Orchestra Contest will be available from November 20 onwards. Half-price concessions are available for full-time students, senior citizens, people with disabilities and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients.

     For ticketing enquiries, please call 2734 9009, and internet bookings can be made at www.urbtix.hk. For programme enquiries, please call 2582 5334 or visit the website www.lcsd.gov.hk/musicoffice.

Ends/Monday, November 8, 2010
Issued at HKT 12:28

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