Over the summer in 2007 and 2008, the National University of Singapore's Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music played host to young, gifted pianists who were invited from all over the world to take part in the Summer Piano Institute (SPI).

The project was led by the Conservatory’s Head of Piano Studies, Dr Thomas Hecht and Assistant Professor Albert Tiu. In 2008, the SPI welcomed 18 pianists hailing from Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Taiwan, Australia and the United States. The students were involved in daily masterclasses and lessons with the SPI faculty, and performed in showcase recitals in the concert hall, culminating in a special Finale Concert at the end of the summer programme.

The Conservatory plans to host the next SPI in December 2010.

Next year's Music China will run from 12-15 October 2010 at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC), 2345 Long Yang Road, Pudong, Shanghai 201204, China.

Established in 2002, Music China has become the biggest annual fair for music products in Asia. Organised jointly by INTEX Shanghai, China Music Instruments Association (CMIA) and Messe Frankfurt (HK), its broad product mix encompasses both western and traditional Chinese instruments, sheet music, music software and hardware and accessories, assembling the entire music scene at a single fair.

The 29th International Society for Music Education World Conference will be held in Beijing in August 2010.

Venue: National Conference Center of China 

Hosts:

·     International Society for Music Education (ISME)

·      China Conservatory of Music (CCM)

·      Chinese Society for Music Education (CSME)

Sponsors: TBA

Website: http://www.isme.org/2010 

Tel: (+86)10-6488 7565

Conference Theme: Harmony and the World Future
Harmony is an important concept in China and is also a fundamental characteristic of Chinese music. It means that the best music helps people to reach peace of mind and live with nature harmoniously. It is not only the highest praise for music but also an ideal state in dealing with everything in Chinese people's daily life. Chinese people hope that their family members live in happiness and harmony, and that the relationship between people is harmonious.

Lately, the Chinese Central Government has proposed to build a harmonious world and Chinese President Hu Jintao has urged Chinese artists and writers to devote themselves to promoting "cultural harmony". Based on the conference theme, music educators will discuss how to enhance communication and understanding between different nations, cultures and genders as well as different groups at this conference. They will also discuss how to promote harmonious global development with harmonious music.

The 7th China (Guangzhou) International Musical Instruments Expo 2010 runs from 10-12 March 2010 at the China Import and Export Fair Pazhou Complex Area C, No. 380 Yuejiang Zhong Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.

China Import and Export Fair Pazhou Complex

Organised by the Department of Science & Technology of Guangdong Province, the Department of Culture of Guangdong Province and the National Musical Instrument Information Centre, the Expo is largest of its kind in South China. Guangdong Province is home to Pearl River Piano, the biggest piano manufacturer in China, as well as being a manufacturing base for many other kinds of musical instruments, including guitars and violins. With a fifth of the total number of music shops in China concentrated in Guangdong's Pearl River Delta plus thousands of music instrument teaching institutes, Guangzhou Expo hopes to provide an important focus for music in the area.

Exhibitors wishing to take part may contact Nicole Fan or Crystal Tan of the Guangdong International Science and Technology Exhibition Company at:

Department of Science and Technology of Guangdong Province
171 Lianxin Road
Guangzhou
P.R. China
510033

T: 86-20-83558345 / 83608329
E: fhs@ste.cn / crystal@ste.cn
W: www.guangzhoumusic.cn

Visitors may contact Rachel Towne at the above address or

T: 020-83546480
M:13416189036
E: rachel@ste.cn
W: www.ste.cn

For sheer romance and excitement, nothing compares to the thrill of tango. Café de los Maestros is the best of the best and the best of a golden age.

This specially formed Buenos Aires orquesta típica brings back the magic and melody of the 1940s and 1950s before the time of Astor Piazzolla. Embracing the music’s many moods, from the sensual swooning of the ballroom to impassioned milonga, the greatest artists of the time will sing and play some of the most enduring tango classics.

5 & 6 March 2010
SOLD OUT

7 March 2010
Tickets: $200, $300, $400, $520, $640

Venue: Concert Hall
Hong Kong Cultural Centre
10 Salisbury Road
Tsim Sha Tsui
Kowloon, Hong Kong

T: (852) 2111 5999
W: URBTIX

Due to phenomenal demand, award-winning violinist Li Chuanyun will give an extra recital as part of his Hong Kong Arts Festival residency at 10pm on 5 March 2010.

3 March 2010: 8pm
4 March 2010: 8pm
5 March 2010: 8pm / 10pm

Tickets: $350

Venue: 55/F Two IFC
8 Finance Street
Central, Hong Kong

T: (852) 2111 5999
W: URBTIX

The 62nd Hong Kong Schools Music Festival runs from 1-31 March 2010. 第62屆香港學校音樂節: 2010年3月1日至3月31日.

Run by the Hong Kong Schools Music and Speech Association, the Festival aims to promote the interest and raise the standard of students and teachers in Western and Chinese music. The Association also organises and presents Festival-related performances and workshops. 

The 38th Hong Kong Arts Festival 2010 will run from 25 February to 28 March 2010 in Hong Kong.

The Festival will present over 140 performances and related events in 37 different venues featuring 41 performing groups - 29 from overseas and 12 from Hong Kong. A range of exceptional artists from around the world will participate, including 786 overseas performers and 500 local performers and supporting staff.

HKAF Chairman Mr Charles Lee, HKAF Executive Director Ms Tisa Ho and HKAF Programme Director Ms
Grace Lang at the 2010 Hong Kong Arts Festival Kick-off Press Conference on 14 October 2009

HKAF Chairman Mr Charles Lee said:

"The Festival's wide range of excellent programmes compliments Hong Kong's international status, enhances the quality of life for residents and attracts visitors. Also, the HKAF continues to explore different types of performance venues, presenting performances in unconventional spaces, in order to enhance the audiences' experience."

Musicians who have reached their 17th but not their 28th birthday by 1 July 2010 are encouraged to apply for the 20th Anniversary Auditions of the Asian Youth Orchestra which will take place between 23 January and 27 March 2010.

Audition dates are as follows:

• Manila - Saturday 23 January
• Kuala Lumpur - Thursday 28 January
  Application deadline: Thur 21 Jan
• Singapore - Sunday 31 January   
  Application deadline: Sun 24 Jan
• Hanoi - Wednesday 03 February
• Bangkok - Sunday 07 February
• Hong Kong  - Sunday 28 February
  Application deadline: Mon 22 Feb
• Taipei - Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 March
• Osaka - Saturday 13 March
• Tokyo - Sunday 14 March
• Seoul - Friday 19 March
• Beijing - Sunday 21 March
• Shanghai - Wednesday 24 March
• Application deadline: Wed 16 March
• Guangzhou - Saturday 27 March

For an application form, click here.

The International Conference on Primary Education 2009 will be held at The Hong Kong Institute of Education from 25-27 November 2009.

UNESCO declared 1979 the International Year of the Child with the slogan: “The future is theirs. The responsibility is ours.” Thirty years on, The Future is Theirs: Visions for Primary Education in the Twenty-first Century will look again at this responsibility throughout those formative years of schooling, focusing on the ways in which primary schools can provide pathways to the future for young people. Nineteenth century ideas about schools do not help with this task and the conference is a starting point for deliberations about a twenty-first century vision for schools.

According to Professor Kerry J Kennedy, Chairperson of the Conference Organising Committee:

"This is a most challenging time in which to hold such a conference. We witness daily the transformation of the international economic system and we witness regularly failed attempts to resolve major international tensions. We live in a world that for some is rich in technological advances but for others cannot provide clean water. We know that education cannot by itself solve these problems: but we also know that education can prepare a generation of thinkers and problem solvers who can start to address the problems in a serious way. This education cannot be left to the later years – it must begin as early as possible so that the potential of young people can be harnessed for the difficult challenges ahead. A key function of this conference is to provide a platform for professional dialogues and problem solving. Hopefully, we shall explore new ideas to help confront these troubling times, new approaches to teaching, learning and assessment, new possibilities for student engagement and an exploration of the values that will be needed to underpin our preferred future."   

Sub-themes (in alphabetical order):

• Assessment and Student Achievement

• Citizenship and Character Education

• Curriculum Development and Innovation by Schools and Teachers

• Diversity and Inclusive Education

• Educational Effectiveness and Quality Assurance

• Guidance and Counseling

• Home, School and Community

• Language and Literacy

• Learning in and out of Classroom

• Policy and Social Context of Education

• School Leadership and Management

• Supporting Transition – Interfaces at Pre-primary, Primary and Secondary Levels

• Teacher Education, Leadership and Professional Development

• Teaching and Education Innovation

• Tomorrow Classroom and ICT

 For details, please visit http://www.ied.edu.hk/primaryed/index.html

Dee Dee Bridgewater

Shanghai's JZ Music Festival kicks off this year with a special evening performance by two-time Grammy Award-winning artist Dee Dee Bridgewater at 7.30pm on Friday 16 October 2009 at Yunfeng Theater.

The Festival, which pairs locally-based Shanghai talent with international headlining acts, continues from 1-11pm on 17 and 18 October at the Century Park in Pudong. Highlight acts are US3, Ibrahim Electric, Cao Fang and more.

Yunfeng Theater,
1700 Beijing Xi Lu
Nanjing Xi Lu
near Jiaozhou Lu, Metro Line 2 Jingan Si Station Exit 2
北京西路1700号
近胶州路, 地铁2号线静安寺站2号口

Tel: 6255-0500

Pudong Century Park
1001 Gate 1
901 gare 2
701 Gate 3 on Jing Xiu Lu
PuDong
世纪公园, 浦东

Tel: 3876-0588

For ticket information, click here.

Music China took place from 13-16 October 2009 (Tuesday - Friday) at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC), 2345 Long Yang Road, Pudong, Shanghai 201204, China.

Running since 2002, Music China has become the biggest annual fair for music products in Asia. Organised jointly by INTEX Shanghai, China Music Instruments Association (CMIA) and Messe Frankfurt (HK), its broad product mix encompasses both western and traditional Chinese instruments, sheet music, music software and hardware and accessories, assembling the entire music scene at a single fair.