The Hong Kong Jockey Club unveils JC Project MuSE to foster holistic growth in underprivileged primary students through music and sports
- School-based programme aims to offer free and sustained arts and sports education to more than 8,000 students in less affluent districts over six years
- Concert takes place to mark the initiative’s launch and the Club’s 140th year
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Extracurricular activities offer children opportunities to explore personal interests and broaden their horizons. Yet for families with limited financial means, these pursuits can be out of reach. To address this issue, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust has initiated and funded JC Project MuSE, with an approved donation exceeding HK$400 million. The programme delivers free, high-quality and tailored music and sports education to primary school students in underprivileged areas of Hong Kong.
JC Project MuSE is a six-year school-based initiative inspired by the globally acclaimed El Sistema model and aims to foster children’s interest in the arts and sports from an early age. The programme ensures equal access to growth and learning opportunities regardless of socio-economic status and is designed to promote the participating children’s holistic development.
To celebrate the programme’s inauguration and commemorate the Club’s 140th anniversary, the Project MuSE Concert took place on April 17 at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. The event united students from JC Project MuSE with musical talent nurtured through other projects supported by the Club.
The launch ceremony was officiated by HKSAR Government Chief Secretary for Administration Chan Kwok-ki, Club Chairman Michael Lee and JC Project MuSE Advisory Committee Convenor Jat Sew-tong. Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Lee emphasised that sports & culture is one of the priority funding areas of the Club’s Charities Trust. By offering a diverse range of music and sports education and performance opportunities, JC Project MuSE seeks to empower primary school students in underprivileged communities, enhancing their confidence and sense of self-worth, while nurturing their holistic development.
Mr Lee added that the Club’s 140th anniversary Project MuSE Concert exemplified the exceptional talent of young musicians, reflecting Hong Kong’s cultural vibrancy and diversity. He underscored the city’s commitment to becoming an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange, as envisioned in the national 14th Five-Year Plan.
The concert opened with a performance by around a hundred primary school students participating in JC Project MuSE, showcasing their newly acquired musical and sporting skills, including in Wushu and taekwondo. During the concert, talented musicians fostered under various Trust-funded programmes joined the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra for a series of remarkable performances. These featured solo virtuosos from The Hong Kong Jockey Club Scholarships, awardees of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Music and Dance Fund, and visually impaired artists who had participated in the inclusive arts festival “No Limits”, co-presented by the Trust. Other performers included participants of the Strive and Rise Programme, students from The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts playing on instruments from The Hong Kong Jockey Club Collection of String Instruments, and students involved in the Jockey Club TUTTI Programme, Musicus Society, the Hong Kong String Orchestra and the Music Children Foundation.
Over 900 students, parents and teachers from JC Project MuSE, along with more than 240 participants and mentors from the Strive and Rise Programme, were invited to attend the concert. The event aimed to give more underprivileged students the chance to engage with and enjoy the world of music.
JC Project MuSE offers a three-tiered approach to school-based music and sports education, catering to various levels of interest and ability. The first tier introduces entry-level taster sessions, including workshops, mini concerts and fun sports classes. The second tier focuses on sustained training, enabling students to advance in at least one musical or sporting discipline, and participate in ensembles or join school sports teams. It also ensures that schools are equipped with the necessary musical instruments and sports equipment. At the third tier, advanced training is provided to high-potential talent, offering scholarships or financial support for professional courses and overseas training. Other key components include professional development for music tutors and sports coaches, as well as opportunities to perform in showcases and compete in sports events, all the while fostering greater parental and community engagement.
Launched as a pilot in 2024, JC Project MuSE currently operates in five primary schools. The initiative aims to expand to 15 primary schools by the 2026/27 academic year targeting parts of the city with the greatest need, such as Kwun Tong, Sham Shui Po, Kwai Tsing and North District. The project is forecast to benefit over 100,000 children, their families, teachers and community members, with more than 8,000 students expected to receive sustained or advanced training in music and sports. JC Project MuSE is co-organised by Hong Kong Baptist University, SF&OC Sports Legacy, The Education University of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra.