Five Sax is a modern-style saxophone quintet featuring five musicians from Poland, Italy, Belgium, the United States and Chile, who thrill audiences with the exciting way in which they perform. The modern culture of concert music draws a clear line between the musicians on stage and their audience. However, quiet, introspective listening is only one of the many ways that people engage with live music. Five Sax was inspired to make The Musician Within, a programme designed to cross boundaries and allow students to join in with the members of Five Sax. It covers a wide variety of topics for musicians and music lovers alike, but above all Five Sax reminds us of one simple fact: Music is Fun!

In the novel Around the World in Eighty Days written by the French writer Jules Verne, we learn that the world is so big that there are all sorts of fantastic things. Similarly, the fascinating world of music and its striking imagery also enchant many people.

Modern life is very busy and it is probably not easy for us to take a round-the-world trip. In this concert, the Music Office Instructors’ Wind Ensemble will perform a variety of distinct musical works from different parts of the world, including the graceful European waltz The Blue Danube Waltz, Macarena with a strong Spanish rhythm, the stunning Japanese taiko song Mathuselah II and the heart-moving Russian Folk Song Suite. The students will be taken on a global tour through music to experience the world!

An overseas Chinese grew up in the West decided to travel around China after retirement to get a real glimpse of his motherland and the life of its people. He travelled extensively in China to see famous scenic spots and experience the life of people in different parts of the country. He was amazed by the vastness, breathtaking beauty and profound culture of his motherland. In this concert, the Music Office Instructors’ Chinese Music Ensemble will reproduce his journey in China by performing various Chinese musical works of regional flavour.

In writing musical works, composers always draw inspiration from stories they have heard or seen, and reinterpret the contents therein in a different form through music. Other interesting stories are often generated during the process of creation. In this concert, the Music Office Instructors’ String Ensemble will perform a variety of works and present the stories behind the melodies to the audience.

City Contemporary Dance Company (CCDC) is one of Hong Kong’s top dance companies, founded by its current Artistic Director, Willy Tsao. The dance company has often been invited to represent Hong Kong by performing overseas, and its creative works with Hong Kong characteristics are internationally acclaimed.

Modern dance is a multi-faceted art medium. For example, when viewed through a camera, it often takes on a whole new appearance. In this programme, primary and secondary students have the opportunity to appreciate several dance excerpts created by professional choreographers. Plus, demonstrations of exquisite dance steps, multimedia video images, and detailed briefings by docents will help students to understand how modern dance can be combined with different art media to create a new and original artwork. By participating in this programme, students can enhance their cultural knowledge and better grasp the concepts of dance aesthetics. Plus, lively games designed to analyse a dance will enable them to explore the creative ideas behind the dance, and become inspired.

Conducted by members of the Young Academy Cantonese Opera Troupe, this lecture and demonstration aims to enhance young people’s understanding of and interest in the traditional performance art of Cantonese Opera. The lecture will be a systematic presentation of various aspects of Cantonese Opera, including performances of Cantonese Opera excerpts, introduction to and demonstration of stylised movements, performing routines, role types, the ‘virtual’ elements of the theatre and the function of percussion. By learning these key facets, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the four stylised performance elements of Cantonese Opera: singing, acting, delivery and martial arts. There will also be interactive sessions to give students practical hands-on applications of what they learned.

Handbells originated in church bell towers in the United Kingdom. The evolution of modern handbell started in the 19th century and later developed into a new form of performing art that people can enjoy watching in a concert hall. Beautiful music is created by the seamless cooperation of every ringer in the ensemble.

Founded in 1970, the world renowned Kinjo Gakuin University Handbell Choir was the first handbell choir in Japan. The Kinjo Choir performs frequently overseas, including at the top-notch National Handbell Directors Seminar in the United States. Its breathtaking performance has fascinated audiences around the world.

Students can enjoy this great concert and participate in an interactive session after the performance to get a more in-depth understanding of this unique instrument.

Played with live string orchestral music accompanied with vivid and interesting animation, the Peer Gynt Suites will bring an unique music experience to the students.

Separating from Separation music dance theatre expresses emotions through songs and portays stories about separation. By reciting, dancing, singing and moving, emotions that cannot be elaborated verbally are scattered to every corner of the stage – they touch the hearts and invoke sentiments.
Dance is never-ending; embedded meaning can never be fully deciphered. There are too many separations in our lives. Sometimes we are not even aware.