IN KEEPING with the Christmas theme of harmony, three symphonic bands from Hongkong and Singapore played some sweet music at the Hongkong Academy for Performing Arts.
The concert was part of the annual Hongkong Youth Band Festival, presented by the Music Office. The festival's aim is to cultivate interest in band music and to raise the standard of performance of local band players.
This year's programme featured a symphonic band contest, a marching band contest, and several concerts.
A highlight of this year's programme was the performance by the Nanyang Technological University National Institute of Education Symphonic Band.
The Singapore band, under conductor Ho Hwee Long, played 10 songs at the concert, including Introduction and Caprice by Charles Carter, highlights from West Side Story by Leonard Bernstein, and the Morning, Noon and Night Overture by Franz von Suppe.
The band, with a history dating back 17 years, has a wide repertoire ranging from pop, jazz and big band pieces.
It has embarked on a programme of overseas tours to give its members experience in performing for foreign audiences, and to help them learn about the culture and music of other countries.