To take a look back at 2011, it is said to be a fruitful year while a number of critical local news have been influential on the cultural and academic development in Hong Kong. Top 10 Music Headlines, presented by Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) Radio 4, is now in its 26th year. Among 20 nominations, the news about the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, which presents the world’s first Hong Kong International Conducting Competition for Chinese Music,topsthe list with 64.9% votes.
“2011 Top 10 Music Headlines” producer Gladys Lau revealed that the ten top headlines had very close votes. She added that Hong Kong International Conducting Competition for Chinese Music provided not only an opportunity to let young Chinese conductors grow through competitions, but also a platform for Chinese conductors of China, Taiwan and Hong Kong to gather around and share their conducting experience and knowledge. Besides that, news about “The Home Affairs Bureau sets up the ‘Arts Capacity Development Funding Scheme’ to sponsor small and medium sized arts groups. It aims to help 20 projects per year, with a budget of $30 millions” and “renowned music composer and arranger, Joseph Koo receives The Life Achievement Award at The Hong Kong Arts Development Awards 2010” rank second and third respectively.
RTHK Radio 4, the only fine music radio channel in Hong Kong, initiated Top 10 Music Headlines to increase public awareness of the development of arts and music in Hong Kong. As usual, news items are nominated by professionals in the music scene. Listeners are invited to vote by filling in polling forms made available at major performance venues, in the FineMusic(FM) Magazine, and on the Internet. Voting by the public accounted for 60%, and voting by the professionals accounted for 40% of the total. A three-week polling period was conducted during 25 December 2011 and 13 January 2012. Over 1,800 votes were received from local and overseas music lovers.
Prizewinners and voting results will also be announcedon Radio 4’s (FM97.6-98.9) “2011 Top 10 Music Headlines Announcement” on 20 January 2012 (Friday) at 8pm and “Artbeat” on 21 January 2012 (Saturday) at noon. The programmes’ archives can be revisited on RTHK website (http://radio4.rthk.hk). The public is also welcome to visit the2011 Top 10 Music Headlines webpage (http://rthk.hk/special/musichighlights2011/index.htm).
RTHK Radio 4
2011 Top 10 Music Headlines Result
Rank |
2011 Top 10 Music Headlines |
Percentage |
1. |
The Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra presents the world’s first Hong Kong International Conducting Competition for Chinese Music. |
64.9% |
2. |
The Home Affairs Bureau sets up the ‘Arts Capacity Development Funding Scheme’ to sponsor small and medium sized arts groups. It aims to help 20 projects per year, with a budget of $30 millions. |
62.6% |
3. |
Renowned music composer and arranger, Joseph Koo receives The Life Achievement Award at The Hong Kong Arts Development Awards 2010. |
59.9% |
4. |
Alan Chan is the first Chinese to win first prize at the ArtEZ Jazz Composition Contest in the International Jazz Festival Enschede in the Netherlands. |
58.6% |
5. |
Presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department in association with Opera Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, the opera Dr. Sun Yat-sen has its world premiere at the Grand Theatre of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. |
55.8% |
6. |
The Japan Philharmonic Orchestra comes to Hong Kong one week after the 311 earthquake, with two emotionally charged performances at the 39th Hong Kong Arts Festival. |
53% |
7. |
Our Great Journey with Edo celebrates Edo de Waart’s eighth and final season as Artistic Director of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra. |
52.7% |
8. |
On its European tour, the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra performs five concerts in 18 days, with more than 100 musicians and staff. It is the biggest event of its kind in the orchestra’s history. |
52.5% |
9. |
The West Kowloon Cultural District Authority decides to use Norman Foster’s City Park design, with elements from the other designs. |
52.3% |
10. |
28 gifted young pianists from around the world come to Hong Kong to take part in the 3rd Hong Kong International Piano Competition. |
51.5% |