Outreach Music Interest Courses open for applications

     The Outreach Music Interest Courses organised by the Music Office of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) are now open for applications. Members of the public are welcome to apply for over 100 courses, ranging from basic Chinese and Western musical instrument classes to music workshops, which will be held from September to January next year. 

     The Outreach Music Interest Courses will newly launch different online courses. "'Soundtrap' Online Music Making Workshop" will introduce the use of a free music app in music improvisation and creation, and online collaboration between different participants. "MusAppreciation Odyssey" will introduce the basic elements of music through excerpts of famous classical pieces. "Music for Stress Relief Workshop" will allow participants to express themselves and relieve their negative emotions and tension by listening to music, relaxing exercise, drawing and counselling. An elementary course of kalimba will also be held. The fees of online courses range from $105 to $430.

     The Music Office will also offer elementary courses on the little harp, keyboard, ukulele and classical guitar; Western music theory (Grades 1 and 2); aural training; instrumental enrichment courses of liuyeqin, zhong-ruan, pipa, yangqin, zheng, erhu, violin, viola, cello and percussion (glockenspiel and practice pad); and ensemble training of Western strings, Chinese bowed string instruments and Chinese plucked string instruments. The course fees range from $320 to $1,005.

     The Outreach Music Interest Courses will continue to provide basic training on the liuyeqin, zhong-ruan, pipa, yangqin, zheng, erhu, violin, viola, cello and percussion (glockenspiel and practice pad). The course fee is $1,070. 
　　
     All courses are conducted in small groups in Cantonese. Participants of online courses are required to prepare their own electronic device equipped with a wireless or broadband data connection, a webcam and Zoom software in advance. Other courses will be held at different venues across the territory, namely the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Sha Tin Town Hall, Tsuen Wan Town Hall, Tuen Mun Town Hall, North District Town Hall, Sheung Wan Civic Centre, Sai Wan Ho Civic Centre, Ngau Chi Wan Civic Centre, Kwai Tsing Theatre, Ko Shan Theatre, Hong Kong Central Library and the Music Office's music centres in Wan Chai, Mong Kok, Kwun Tong, Sha Tin and Tsuen Wan.
 
     Online applications are now available at the Music Office website www.lcsd.gov.hk/musicoffice. Course prospectuses and application forms are also available at various performance venues of the LCSD and music centres of the Music Office. The deadline for applications is July 23. Oversubscribed courses will be processed by ballot. For courses not fully taken up after the first round of application, places will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis from August 25. 

     For enquiries, please call 3842 7773, 2596 0898 or 2598 8335.
 
     In view of the latest situation of COVID-19, visitors to various performance venues and public libraries of the LCSD and music centres of the Music Office are required to scan the "LeaveHomeSafe" QR code or register their name, contact number and the date and time of the visit before being allowed to enter. They will also need to use hand sanitiser, wear their own masks and be subject to temperature checks.