Hong Kong Baptist University, Department of Music

The Department of Music, founded in 1973 as part of the Baptist College, has always been committed to providing an excellent environment for the training of professional musicians. Its academic programmes encourage a synthesis of practical skills, contextual knowledge, and creativity.

On our staff list are 18 full-time academic faculty members, over 100 part-time and adjunct lecturers, 8 support staff members, and 2 technicians. There are over 400 students enrolled in the undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.

Performance is considered an important part of a musical education at HKBU. In addition to sponsoring concerts and lectures by faculty members, students, and distinguished visiting artists from around the world, the Department supports several large ensembles, including the Hong Kong Baptist University Symphony Orchestra, the Collegium Musicum Hong Kong (CMHK), the Hong Kong Baptist University Choir (BUC), the Cantoría Hong Kong, and a number of chamber music and world-music groups. These groups present regular concerts on campus and at other public venues in Hong Kong and abroad.

The programs’ emphasis on the role of technology and computers in music is supported by cutting-edge equipment and facilities, such as the Electro-Acoustic Music Centre (EMC) and the Laboratory for Immersive Arts and Technology (LIATe).

Resources in the Department include three labs (the state-of-the-art EMC and LIATe and the Music Technology Centre), a rehearsal hall for the orchestra and choir (ASH700), several ensemble rehearsal rooms and practice rooms, as well as a large collection of keyboard, orchestral, and world-music instruments. The University Library houses a good music collection for general and research purposes. In the past few years, the Department has been able to sponsor performance and study tours to the PRC, Taiwan, Korea, Indonesia, Australia, Canada, the United States and Europe.

The Department has also worked steadily to expand the creative and professional growth of its teaching staff and contribute to cultural knowledge through specific research streams. These include cross-cultural research, research in performance practice, research in music education, and creative output (music composition). In addition, members of the full-time teaching staff serve as consultants and members of important local and overseas organizations, including the HK Arts Development Council, the DSE Music Committee, peer-reviewed journal boards, RILM, and international music festivals.