EdUHK Signs MOU with HKCO Promoting the Development of Chinese Music and Inheriting Chinese Culture
The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) and The Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra (HKCO) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today (20 September) to join hands in promoting the development of Chinese music and the inheritance of Chinese culture. With the support of EdUHK, HKCO will hold the Silk Road music performance on two consecutive nights to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, as well as the 30th Anniversary of EdUHK.
The signing ceremony was held at Hong Kong City Hall and was witnessed by the Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the HKSAR Mr Fang Jianming, Commerce and Economic Development Belt & Road Commissioner Mr Nicholas Ho Lik-chi, Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau Principal Assistant Secretary (Culture) Mr George Tsoi Kin-pan, EdUHK Council Chairman Dr David Wong Yau-kar, EdUHK Council Treasurer Ms Imma Ling Kit-sum and HKCO Chairman Mr Henry H W Lai. The MoU was signed by EdUHK President Professor John Lee Chi-Kin and HKCO Executive Director Dr Celina Chin Man-wah. Other guests included District Officer (Eastern) Mr Simon Chan Sheung-man and District Officer (Yau Tsim Mong) Mr Edward Yu Kin-keung. The collaboration includes jointly organising student music events to cultivate students' musical literacy, cultural and artistic knowledge, and management skills.
Addressing the ceremony, Dr Wong said that HKCO actively collaborated with local and mainland universities to promote the cultivation and exchange of musical talent between the two regions, benefitting many university students. EdUHK has also emphasised the positive impact of traditional cultural literacy on teachers' moral character in recent years, by strengthening the integration of arts and education in curriculum design. He added that he believed this collaboration would deepen cooperation and exchange in the field of Chinese music between both parties, promoting the inheritance and development of Chinese music culture through collaboration and contributing to making Hong Kong a centre for cultural and artistic exchange between East and West, as well as an international education hub.
At the ceremony, Professor Lee said that starting from this academic year, EdUHK had introduced a “New Six Arts” course into the undergraduate General Education curriculum, following the principle of “using the ancient to serve the present, and integrating Chinese and Western cultures”. The course blends innovative technological elements and incorporates experiential learning, allowing students to reacquaint themselves with the Six Arts: rites, music, archery, charioteering, calligraphy and mathematics. HKCO will participate in some of the practical sessions.
Professor Lee added that the collaboration between EdUHK and HKCO would help explore interdisciplinary and cross-learning stage collaboration models, such as combining music and technology, promoting Chinese music education in early childhood education, and organising student music exchange activities with Belt and Road countries. Together, they aim to advance the development of Chinese music in Hong Kong, fostering both cultural heritage and innovation.
Mr Lai thanked EdUHK for its support for the Silk Road music performance, which will allow citizens of Hong Kong to experience the music, culture and arts of Xinjiang and Vietnam, and promote humanistic exchanges. He said that promoting the inheritance of music education had always been a crucial mission of HKCO, and that he looked forward to working with EdUHK under the MoU to deepen mutual collaboration, seek common development, and promote excellent traditional culture and the spirit of Chinese aesthetic education.
The Silk Road music performance was conducted by Artistic Director and Principal Conductor for Life of HKCO Professor Yan Hui-chang and was held after the MoU signing ceremony. It featured HKCO, the Xinjiang Art Theater Traditional Orchestra Ensemble and the Vietnamese Monochord and Orchestra. The pieces included “The Silk Road”, “The Ancient Music of Qiuci Suite” and “Scenes of Yunnan”. At the end of the concert, HKCO performed a special piece, entitled “In Praise of Teachers”, to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of EdUHK, which received enthusiastic applause from the teachers and students and audience in attendance.
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EdUHK Signs MOU with HKCO to Promote Development of Chinese Music and Inheritance of Chinese Culture
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