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Performance Course Selection 2023/24

    Our undergraduate curriculum offers three types of performance courses, namely Advanced Music Performance, Performance Study, and Music Performance. All courses carry 6 credits. While both Advanced Music Performance and Performance Study are year-long courses and for HKU students, Music Performance is a semester course solely for exchange students from overseas.
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    Beginning in academic year 2023/24, all students in Advanced Music Performance and Performance Study must participate in the new course component Performance Spotlight as a minimum passing criterion. Click here for more details about this new initiative. You may also refer to the “Assessment Methods” section of respective course page for specific participation details.

    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 Chamber Music Workshop, Conducting Workshop, Instrument Workshop under MUSI1022/2066/3021/4001 Performance Study 1/2/3/4 or MUSI3032 Special Performance Study.
    Advanced Music Performance
    Performance Study
    Music Performance (for exchange students from overseas)
      Please sign up for an audition time via email at music@hku.hk or in person at the Music Department office by 5:00pm, 28 August 2023 at the latest.

      • Audition: 30 Aug 2023, 10:00am-2:00pm
        Classes: Monday 3:30-5:20pm
        Venue: LG1.22, Run Run Shaw Tower, Centennial Campus

      For the audition, please prepare ten 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 5:00pm, 31 August 2023. If you are admitted to the course, please enrol in MUSI1018/2047/3019/4002 online within the add-drop period in September 2023. As places are limited in this course, students may consider also applying for MUSI1022/2066/3021/4001 Performance Study 1-4 if they intend on pursuing performance courses as part of their studies.
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      For further enquiries, please contact Mr. Angus Lee at .
        Students taking these courses may customise their study by enrolling in two ensembles, OR two workshops (taking two instrument workshops is NOT an option), OR one ensemble and one workshop. Ensembles and workshops available are as follows:
           
        • HKU Chamber Singers (admission by prescreening video recording)
          HKU Gamelan (consent of instructor required)
          HKU Percussion Ensemble (consent of instructor required)
          Chamber Music Workshop (admission by optional prescreening video)
          Conducting Workshop (admission by audition)
          Instrument Workshop (instrument of your own choice, consent of Department required)
        ENROLMENT
        ‍        Students intending to enrol in MUSI1022/2066/3021/4001 Performance Study 1, 2, 3, 4 are required to do the following:
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        • Enrol in these courses in the SIS during the course selection period.‍‍
        • Complete an application form and email it to the Music Department at music@hku.hk by 5:00pm, 4 September 2023 at the latest.‍
        Students enrolling in a workshop are also required to complete the following by 5:00pm, 12 September 2023:
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        • Pay the workshop tuition fee after your admission has been confirmed by the Music Department (latest 5:00pm, 8 September 2023). ‍
        • ‍Submit the original bank pay-in slip to the Music Department office for verification. Course admission will only be approved in the SIS after payment confirmation.
        Note that the meeting times of these ensembles/workshops are not shown in HKU's SIS, so students should refer to the information in the respective tabs below for the class times and venues.
        download FOrm
        HKU Chamber Singers
        HKU Gamelan
        HKU Percussion Ensemble
        Chamber Music Workshop
        Conducting Workshop
        Instrument Workshop

        HKU Chamber Singers is one of the University’s leading choruses, led and conducted by distinguished vocalist Caleb Woo. The chorus’ repertoire ranges from Renaissance staples to brand new commissions, and has collaborated with the Hong Kong Philharmonic in special projects. Chorus members will also receive special technical training from eminent local soprano, Kenix Tsang.

        Prescreening video recording: due 28 August, 5:00pm
        First rehearsal: 15 September 2023, 3:30pm-5:20pm
        Classes: Friday 3:30pm-5:20pm
        Venue: LG1.22, Run Run Shaw Tower, Centennial Campus
        Lesson structure: 16 x 2-hour rehearsals and 6 x 1-hour technique seminars

        For the prescreening, students should submit a video recording of César Franck's Panis Angelicus (there are three versions 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 5:00pm, 28 August 2023. Students may contact the Department at music@hku.hk if they require assistance in preparing their recording or sharing their OneDrive link. Please note that students who sang in the HKU Chamber Singers in 2022/23 do not need to submit a prescreening recording.

        For further enquiries, please contact Caleb Woo at calebwoo@hotmail.com.
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        HKU Gamelan is a versatile ensemble that performs both traditional and contemporary repertoire. Led by percussionist Dr. Deborah Waugh, the group often collaborates with leading composers and musicians in experimental settings. Ensemble members will also receive training in gamelan performance techniques from gamelan specialist Anvy Lim. Students interested in joining this ensemble MUST attend the first rehearsal. 

        First rehearsal: 7 September 2023, 3:30pm-5:20pm
        Classes: Thursday 3:30pm-5:20pm
        Venue: LG1.22, Run Run Shaw Tower, Centennial Campus
        Lesson structure: 18 x 2-hour rehearsals and 6 x 1-hour technique seminars

        For further enquiries, please contact Dr. Deborah Waugh at debwaugh@hku.hk.
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        HKU Percussion Ensemble         explores a wide range of repertoire from traditional and contemporary works to group improvisations. Students enrolling in this ensemble should be proficient in playing percussion instruments. Students interested in joining this ensemble MUST attend the first rehearsal.  

        First rehearsal: 8 September 2023, 10:30am-12:20pm
        Classes: Friday 10:30am-12:20pm
        Venue: LG1.22, Run Run Shaw Tower, Centennial Campus 
        Lesson structure: 16 x 2-hour rehearsals        

        For further enquiries, please contact Dr. Deborah Waugh at debwaugh@hku.hk.
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        Chamber Music Workshop         offers full-year coaching in chamber music repertoire from introductory to advanced levels, with the goal of developing students’ chamber musicianship. Students should pre-form groups (minimum trio, maximum sextet) and submit a short list of potential repertoire to be studied during the academic year. Groups with specialist focus (e.g. Baroque music, a capella vocal music) may be co-supervised by assigned guest specialists.

        Prescreening: Video recording of prior performances highly recommended, due 28 August 2023, 5:00pm
        Admission cap: 4 groups
        First rehearsal: 19 September 2023, 4:30pm-6:20pm
        Classes: Tuesday 4:30pm-6:20pm
        Venue: LG1.22, Run Run Shaw Tower, Centennial Campus
        Lesson structure: 14 x 1-hour coaching sessions

        For further enquiries, please contact Mr. Angus Lee at anguslyw@hku.hk.
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        Conducting Workshop         is an intermediate-level course offering students the chance to acquire, develop and refine their technical mastery of conducting. The course will also touch on score analysis, rehearsal strategies, and clarity of gestural communication. Students will work with a rehearsal pianist (first semester) and an ensemble of experienced musicians (second semester). Some prior conducting experienced is preferred. 
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        Prerequisite:          
        • must also be admitted to Chamber Music Workshop, or one of the Performance Study ensembles‍
        • has prior experience as an instrumental / vocal performer
        Audition: 1 September 2023, 1:30pm-3:20pm; preparing Wagner’s Meistersinger Overture (complete)
        Prescreening: Video recording of prior performances highly recommended, due 28 August 2023, 5:00pm
        Admission cap: 6 students
        Classes: Tuesday 3:30pm-4:20pm
        Venue: LG1.22, Run Run Shaw Tower, Centennial Campus 
        Lesson structure: 14 x 1-hour coaching session

        For further enquiries, please contact Mr. Angus Lee at anguslyw@hku.hk.
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        Instrument Workshop         focuses on developing students’ musical and technical competency in their chosen instruments (including voice). Admitted students will each study with an assigned leading practitioner in the field on a one-to-one basis.

        Classes: Lesson times individually negotiated between student and instructor
        Venue: Various locations at the discretion of the instructor

        For further enquiries, please contact Mr. Angus Lee at anguslyw@hku.hk.
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          As a prerequisite, students must have completed MUSI1022/2066/3021 Performance Study 1, 2, 3 at least once prior to enrolling in MUSI3032. For admission details, please contact Mr. Angus Lee at anguslyw@hku.hk.
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          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 Mr. Angus Lee at anguslyw@hku.hk.