[28th Orchestral Season]

Press Release

23^rd October, 2004

         Organised by the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra and sponsored by the Safety GoDown Group, the First Round of the 2^nd Hong Kong Synergy 24 Drum Competition was held last weekend (October 16 and 17) at the Chater Garden in Central.  Participants in the Junior, Intermediate, Senior and Open sections competed in the two-day event, with the four highest scoring groups in each section now eligible for the Final Round competition which will be held at HKCO’s Majestic Drums IV concert on November 19 and 20.  There was a total of 67 groups, or more than 500 people, participating.  Among them, there were primary school students of 6 or 7 years of age, senior citizens, and mentally handicapped children from special schools.  It further proves that drums, as percussion music that highlights rhythm and beat, can draw people together regardless of age, physical ability and cultural background. 

        There were 39 groups participating in the Junior Section competition held on Saturday, October 16.  The participants were required to pick three out of the first eight in the Hong Kong Synergy 24 drum routines to demonstrate their creativity and prowess.  The number of persons in each group ranged from a minimum of 2 to a maximum of 30, regardless of sex or age, and each group was assigned five minutes to complete the routines. It was obvious how much effort they had put into the competition, judging by the colourful costumes, the presentation and the synchronized beats, and the audience responded with warm applause.  One of the groups was made up of senior citizens in a community centre.  Wearing Chinese kung-fu pyjamas, the grandpas and grannies gave an impressive show as surging drum rolls were accompanied by trained movements.  Equally impressive were two groups of mentally handicapped children from special schools who performed the drum routines with verve and vibe under the conducting hands of their teachers.   

        The next day, on October 17, there were 28 groups participating in the Intermediate, Senior and Open sections. As it was a Sunday, the exciting rolls of drums drew a huge crowd.  The participating groups demonstrated not only their musicianship but also their creativity, each trying to outshine the rest with unique outlooks and exceptional presentations.  The heartening sounds not only injected energy into the listeners, but also seemed to spread out as waves of hope, will and drive for the community of Hong Kong, thus underpinning the ‘synergy’ theme of the Competition. 

The panel of judges was made up of professionals in Chinese music.  They include Kwok Hang-kei, HKCO Music Adviser; Chew Hee Chiat, Assistant Conductor of the HKCO; Celina Chin, Executive Director of the HKCO; Yu Chiu-for, Programme Coordinator of the first Hong Kong Drum Festival in 2003 and seasoned music practitioner in Hong Kong; Lau Tzu-wah, veteran percussionist with the HKCO; Yim Hok-man, HKCO’s Deputy Concertmaster and Percussion Principal; Zhang Lie, National Class One Conductor in China; and Pei Deyi, Vice President of the China Percussive Art Society.  After two days of keen competition, the qualifying teams are announced as follows by the panel of judges: 

*As there was a tie in the scores, the number of groups qualified for the Final Round has been increased to 5 instead of 4. 

These groups make up a total of 18 who will enter for the final competition held at the Majestic Drums IV concerts on November 18 and 19 in the Sha Tin Town Hall.  The champions of the Junior and Intermediate sections will be born on the first evening of concert, while those of the Senior and Open sections, on the second.  The programmes of the two evenings also feature exotic and legendary music with a rich cultural mix.  They include Indian drum music by Jatinder Singh Bedi, a performance on the new Super Janggu by the wHOOL drum group of Korea, and traditional Chinese music and modern percussion pieces by Four Gig Heads of Hong Kong.  The guest groups will be sharing the stage with the HKCO in an exciting concert full of splendorous soundscapes.  

The Majestic Drums IV concert will be held at 7:30 p.m. on November 19 and 20,at the Sha Tin Town Hall Concert Hall.  Tickets are available at all URBTIX outlets at $200, 180, 130 and 100, with special discounts for senior citizens, people with disabilities and full-time students. For the first time ever, for an exceptional audio (and of course visual) experience, there will be specially selected seats for the audiophiles. They are the best-kept secrets in town for all those constantly in search of the ultimate in the sensation of sounds, and ticket prices are only $300. So don’t miss out! Friends of HKCO and Sha Tin Town Hall can enjoy 10% discount (only one discount scheme applies on ticket purchase). Discount offers are applicable to the $100-200 categories.  But if you are an FoHKCO and you would like to purchase tickets in all price categories, you can enjoy 25% discount.  Please call 31851600 for enquiry or 27349009 for booking of tickets.  If you would like to purchase your tickets online, please visit www.urbtix.hk.  

Press enquiry: Vivian Ip, Marketing and Publicity Executive, HKCO

Tel: 3185 1601 / 95532244(Mobile)                         Fax: 2815 5615　

eMail: vivianip@hkco.org                                        

Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra web site: www.hkco.org