Media

"A DAY OF MUSIC": Education Through The Arts For Hong Kong Youth

18 Feb 2005

 

In a newly developed program hosted by the University of Hong Kong's Department of Music at its Pokfulam campus, organisers will introduce the first in a series of events designed to introduce young Hong Kong students to university life through the experience of music. On February 22, thirty students from Buddhist Fat Ho Memorial College in Tai O, Lantau, will spend an entire day touring the campus participating in a full schedule of activities and interacting with the internationally acclaimed Swiss Piano Trio.

The University's "A Day of Music" in partnership with the Consulate General of Switzerland and the Swiss Piano Trio, will offer a group of youngsters (ages 12-14) a unique opportunity to participate in activities on the University campus. Their joint aim is to provide young students with a chance to experience university life: to share music whilst being inspired and challenged to pursue a higher education.

The day's activities will include: a tour of the University, conversations with the Swiss musicians, visiting the music library, a recording session, an opportunity to play Balinese percussion instruments, university level lectures and discussions with music students. Attendance at a special evening concert performance given by the Swiss Piano Trio will be the culmination of the day's events. The concert will be attended by members of the public as well as prominent figures from the business world and Hong Kong's arts scene.

Buddhist Fat Ho Memorial College is located in the remote and culturally significant community of Tai O. The population of Tai O has dwindled over the years from 40,000 to about 6,700. It is two hours away by ferry and bus from Central. This played a key factor in selecting the school because of its underexposure to many educational, cultural and musical events held throughout other areas of Hong Kong. The school has a total enrolment of 268 students of which approximately 10% pursues a full-time university level education.

Mr. She, the school's principal, is excited about the opportunity afforded his students. "We hope this trip will broaden the horizons of our students, who are usually excluded from the cultural activities that urban students take for granted. It should give them a chance to explore themselves and the possibilities that life offers. It is also an excellent way to teach Liberal Studies in an active participatory way. We are sure that this will be a day students will remember and treasure. Perhaps it may even inspire dreams which they may later fulfill".

"A Day of Music" is one in a series of events scheduled during the "Switzerland Greets Hong Kong" campaign. "We are proud to be associated with the University of Hong Kong's "A Day of Music" because education in the arts lies at the root of any creative and vibrant society. Music is a universal language shared by people from all cultures", stated François Barras, Consul general of Switzerland.

The HKU Department of Music was founded in 1981, currently has approximately 80 undergraduate and postgraduate students, and offers more than 40 music courses. It hosts approximately 20 concerts per year and schedules workshops, master-classes and study trips regularly.

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For media enquiries, please contact:
•Ms. Polo Leung, External Relations Office, HKU
Tel: 2859 2600, Fax: 2858 4986, e-mail: pololeung@hku.hk
•Ms. Sharon Lu, Concert Manager, Department of Music, HKU
Tel: 2241 5738, Fax: 2858 4933, e-mail: sharonlu@hku.hk