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Course Offerings & Selection 2020/21

All courses carry 6 credits, regardless of whether they are semester-long or year-long courses. Year-long courses extend for two semesters and grades and credits are awarded at the completion of the second semester. All courses run for one semester except the following, which are year-long courses:
Click the "Performance Courses" button below to view enrolment and/or audition details of MUSI1018/2047/3019/4002 Advanced Music Performance 1/2/3/4, MUSI1022/2066/3021/4001 Performance Study 1/2/3/4, MUSI3032 Special Performance Study, MUSI2068 University Gamelan, and MUSI2083 Music Performance (for exchange students from overseas).

The Department's Brilliant Shine Bursary covers the cost of music performance lessons for first-year students as well as music majors and minors in years 2, 3 and 4 taking Instrument Workshop, Vocal Workshop or Percussion Workshop under MUSI1022/2066/3021/4001 Performance Study 1/2/3/4 or MUSI3032 Special Performance Study. MORE DETAILS
Courses Offered 2020/21
Performance Courses
Brilliant Shine Bursary
Click on a course code and title to view course details.

First Semester Courses

Second Semester Courses

Year-long Courses

Common Core Course

Advanced Music Performance
Performance Study
University Gamelan
Music Performance (for exchange students from overseas)
Click on a course code and title to view course details.
Please sign up for an audition time via email at music@hku.hk or in person at the Music Department office by 1:00pm, 30 August 2020 at the latest.

  • Audition: 31 August 2020, 10:00am-5:00pm
    Classes: Mondays 3:30-5:20pm
    Venue: LG1.22, Run Run Shaw Tower, Centennial Campus

For the audition, please prepare five minutes of music consisting of two contrasting excerpts. Please arrange an accompanist if the music requires one.
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The audition results will be announced via email by 1:00pm, 1 September 2020. If you are admitted to the course, please enrol in MUSI1018/2047/3019/4002 online within the add-drop period in September 2020.
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For further enquiries, please contact Professor Giorgio Biancorosso at .
Click on a course code and title to view course details.
Students taking these courses have to enrol in EITHER two ensembles OR one workshop and one ensemble offered by the Music Department over two semesters. Only students who have completed at least one of MUSI1022, MUSI2066, or MUSI3021 can enrol in MUSI3032, which may be taken to fulfil the capstone requirement. Final grades for these courses will be determined by combining the result of each ensemble/workshop in which the student is enrolled.
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Ensembles and performance workshops available in 2020/21 are as follows:
           
  • HKU Chamber Singers (admission by prescreening)
    HKU Early Music Ensemble (admission by audition)
    HKU Gamelan (consent of instructor required)
    HKU Percussion Ensemble (consent of instructor required)
  • Vocal Workshop (admission by prescreening)
    Percussion Workshop (consent of Department required)
    Instrument Workshop (instrument of your own choice, consent of Department required)
ENROLMENT
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Students intending to enrol in the above courses are required to do the following by 1:00pm, 3 September 2020:
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  • 1. Complete an application form and email it to the Music Department at music@hku.hk.
    ‍    2. If an audition or prescreening is required, sign up for a time slot via email at music@hku.hk or in person at the Music Department office.
    3. Students wishing to take MUSI3032 must also email Dr. Deborah Waugh at debwaugh@hku.hk to arrange an appointment.
Students enrolling in the workshops are also required to complete the following by 5:00pm, 14 September 2020:
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  • 1. Pay the workshop tuition fee after your admission has been confirmed by the Music Department. The Department will confirm your admission to the course by 11 September 2020 at the latest.
    ‍    2. Submit the original bank pay-in slip to the Music Department office for confirmation. Please note that students will not be admitted into the course unless they have produced confirmation of this payment.
Note that the meeting times of these ensembles/workshops ARE NOT SHOWN in HKU's SIS (Student Information System), so students can only enrol online in these courses within the add-drop period in September 2020 AFTER your admission is confirmed by the Music Department.
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ENSEMBLES
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Students who would like to be admitted to an ensemble must attend an audition/prescreening and/or attend the first meeting of the ensemble. Audition results will be emailed to candidates on the day following the audition/prescreening.
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HKU Chamber Singers

The HKU Chamber Singer, conducted by Caleb Woo, performs high quality repertoire from the Renaissance to the modern era and from sacred music to jazz. A wide range of topics is covered, including choral techniques, ensembleship, performance practice, and score analysis. Students are required to attend weekly classes and perform music from memory. Performances will be arranged accordingly.

  • Prescreening Video Recording: due by 4 September 2020, 10:00am
    Individual Meeting: 11 September 2020, 2:30-5:20pm (10 mins only)
    Classes: Fridays 3:30-5:20pm
    Venue: LG1.22, Run Run Shaw Tower, Centennial Campus

For the prescreening, students should video record César Franck's Panis Angelicus (note that there are three versions, one for high, medium, or low voice). Students may use the accompaniment available here or record with their own accompanist. Students should upload the videos to their OneDrive account and send the shared link to music@hku.hk no later than 10:00am, 4 September 2020. Students also need to attend a 10-minute meeting with Caleb Woo and Kenix Tsang on 11 September 2020, where they will be invited to sing a short vocal line and do some sight reading. Students are welcome to contact the Department at music@hku.hk if they require assistance in preparing their recording or sharing their OneDrive link. For further enquiries, please contact Caleb Woo at calebwoo@hotmail.com.
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HKU Early Music Ensemble

The HKU Early Music Ensemble performs repertoire from the Renaissance and Baroque eras. Students will explore the techniques, performance practices, and interpretation of the music through weekly rehearsals and public performances. Students interested in joining this ensemble should attend Dr. Levesque's Introductory Session as well as the audition. Please prepare one excerpt from the Baroque era for the five-minute audition.

Students may attend the Introductory Session either in person or online at the times below. Students attending the online session should register with the Music Department via music@hku.hk by 3:00pm on 1 September 2020.

  • Introductory Session: 1 September 2020, 4:30-5:20pm (LG1.23) OR 5:30-6:20pm (online)
    Audition: 8 September 2020, 4:30-6:20pm
    Classes: Tuesdays 4:30-6:20pm
    Venue: LG1.23, Run Run Shaw Tower, Centennial Campus

Please note that the HKU Early Music Ensemble is offered every second year. For further enquiries, please contact Dr. Shane Levesque at shanelevesque.mu@hkapa.edu.
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HKU Gamelan

The HKU Gamelan performs both traditional and contemporary works for Balinese gamelan gong kebyar. The ensemble also has access to a Central Javanese gamelan on loan from the Indonesian Consulate. Frequently collaborating with composers and other instrumentalists, the gamelan has weekly classes and performs on a regular basis. Students interested in joining this ensemble should attend the first meeting.

  • First Meeting: 3 September 2020, 4:30-5:20pm
    Classes: Thursdays 4:30-5:20pm
    Venue: LG1.22, Run Run Shaw Tower, Centennial Campus

For further enquiries, please contact Dr. Deborah Waugh at debwaugh@hku.hk.
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HKU Percussion Ensemble

The HKU Percussion Ensemble focuses on a wide range of repertoire and musical styles, including traditional and contemporary works, non-Western music, and improvisation. The ensemble meets on a weekly basis and performs on campus and at outside venues. Students should have some proficiency playing percussion. Students interested in joining this ensemble should attend the first meeting.

  • First Meeting: 4 September 2020, 10:30am-12:20pm
    Classes: Fridays 10:30am-12:20pm
    Venue: LG1.22, Run Run Shaw Tower, Centennial Campus 

For further enquiries, please contact Dr. Deborah Waugh at debwaugh@hku.hk.
WORKSHOPS

Each workshop comprises 20 sessions conducted over two semesters (10 sessions per semester). Assessment will be based on a student’s progress throughout the year as well as a practical examination held at the end of the second semester. Admission to a particular workshop will be confirmed via email from the Music Office by 11 September 2020 at the latest.

Students taking the workshops are required to pay a tuition fee (see form for details). All first-year students as well as music majors and music minors in years 2, 3, and 4 may apply for the Brilliant Shine Bursary at the end of the course to get their workshop fees reimbursed, as long as they meet certain criteria. More details about the bursary and criteria may be found here.
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Vocal Workshop

This workshop aims to enhance students' vocal techniques and performing abilities. By studying solo arias under renowned vocal masters, the Vocal Workshop covers topics such as voice production, diction, style, and interpretation. Songs of various European languages will be used, including Latin, Italian, German, and French.

  • Prescreening Video Recording: due by 4 September 2020, 10:00am
    Individual Meeting: 11 September 2020, 2:30-5:20pm (10 mins only)
    Classes: Fridays 2:30am-3:20pm
    Venue: LG1.22, Run Run Shaw Tower, Centennial Campus

For the prescreening, students should video record a work or excerpt of their own choosing. Students should upload the videos to their OneDrive account and send the shared link to music@hku.hk no later than 10:00am, 4 September 2020. Students also need to attend a 10-minute meeting with Caleb Woo and Kenix Tsang on 11 September 2020, where they will be invited to sing a short vocal line and do some sight reading. Students applying for the HKU Chamber Singers and Vocal Workshop may use their recording of César Franck's Panis Angelicus for both prescreenings. Students are welcome to contact the Department at music@hku.hk if they require assistance in preparing their recording or sharing their OneDrive link. For further enquiries, please contact Kenix Tsang at kenixtsang@gmail.com.
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Percussion Workshop

This workshop offers individual or group lessons on percussion instruments. Attention will be given to the development of students' musicianship, technique, and rhythmic sensibility, as well as expanding their repertoire and sense of sound.

  • Classes: Lesson times are negotiated individually with the student
    Venue: LG1.22, Run Run Shaw Tower, Centennial Campus

For further enquiries, please contact Dr. Deborah Waugh at debwaugh@hku.hk.
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Instrument Workshop

This workshop offers instruction in an instrument of the student's choice.

  • Classes: Lesson times are negotiated individually with the student
    Venue: Various locations at the discretion of the instructor

For further enquiries, please contact Dr. Deborah Waugh at debwaugh@hku.hk.
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Click on the course code and title to view course details.
Students may also take this course to join the HKU Gamelan. Enrolment is via the SIS (Student Information System). For further enquiries, please contact Dr. Deborah Waugh at debwaugh@hku.hk.
Click on the course code and title to view course details.
MUSI2083 Music Performance caters for overseas students who would like to carry on their performance study during their exchange at HKU. Entry to the course is at the discretion of the Head of the School of Humanities on the recommendation of the Department's Undergraduate Coordinator. For further enquiries, please contact Dr. Deborah Waugh at debwaugh@hku.hk.
  • Purpose

The Brilliant Shine Bursary covers the cost of music performance lessons for students at HKU so that they can develop their talent without financial concerns. Performance lessons are subsidized by the University; the Brilliant Shine Bursary covers the remaining cost for these lessons that would normally be borne by the student.

  • ‍Eligibility

The Brilliant Shine Bursary shall be awarded to all

  • Procedure

The bursary is awarded retrospectively. Students pay up front towards the cost of their Workshop lessons and apply for the bursary at the end of the course. The bursary will cover the exact cost that each student pays for his or her lessons in the Workshop. A reminder to apply for the Brilliant Shine Bursary will be sent to all performance students at the end of the academic year; students will need to fill in a form (available by announcement) to apply for the bursary.

    [1] Since students do not choose their majors until year 2, all first-year students taking lessons in a Music Department performance course shall be regarded as potential music majors or minors.

    [2] Lessons missed due to illness or exceptional personal circumstances are not counted against a student’s attendance record; a doctor’s certificate and/or written permission from the teacher copied to the course coordinator is required in such circumstances.

    [3] Grades are not the sole criteria for ‘performing well’, but a grade of B- or above in the Workshop is expected in order for a student to be eligible for the bursary.