The British Council is currently supporting a series of exciting events on music production in Hong Kong to take place to mid August 2003. The aim of this project is to reach young people in Hong Kong who are searching for a means of creative expression. The project is designed to link learning and creativity with UK skills in music production and performance. It is designed for anyone aged 18-25, regardless of previous experience in music.  

Young people in Hong Kong are invited to unlock and demonstrate their creativity through a series of fascinating music events. The project was launched with a competition in May 2003, followed by an experimental music workshop and a celebration party in July 2003. To enter the competition, participants were asked to work with a partner to create a two-minute digital video clip to show us the sound that they love the most and tell us why. Ten pairs of finalists were selected to take part in a four-day intensive workshop facilitated by two UK producers on music production using computer technology. Working with the latest Apple Macintosh computers and under the guidance of the expert producers, participants were able to transform their concept into amazing, vivid, impressive and rich sounds. The music created in the workshop was also performed at a celebration for finalists and their friends, as well as broadcast on the British Council website.

After attending the workshop, a lucky pair was nominated by the producers to visit the UK to meet with producers and visit studios, music centres and institutions. They will also have the opportunity to re-record their track in a professional studio.

This project is a collaboration between the British Council, the British Consulate General and several sponsors, including Apple Computers who donated iPods to the competition winners and lent 12 sets of Apple Macintosh computers during the workshops, Overtones Studio in London ran the workshop in Hong Kong and will provide the venue and technical support for track re-recording when the workshop winners fly to UK. Breakthrough (U+ Magazine) is the media partner; DJ School is providing promotion and technical advice; and other advertising is being done through CD stores, bookshops, studios, cafés, local secondary schools and universities and youth centres.

For more information contact David Foster from British Council Hong Kong.