The Music Office of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department is recruiting new members for its 18 bands and orchestras as well as its two choirs. Training for 2021-22 will run from this September to the end of May next year. The deadline for applications is April 30.
 
     The 20 ensembles are respectively the Hong Kong Youth Symphony Orchestra, the Music Office Junior Symphony Orchestra, the Hong Kong Youth Strings, the Island Youth Strings, the Kowloon Youth Strings, the New Territories Youth Strings, the Hong Kong Youth Symphonic Band, the Music Office Youth Brass Band, the Kowloon Youth Symphonic Band, the New Territories Youth Symphonic Band, the Music Office Junior Symphonic Band, the Hong Kong Children's Symphonic Band, the Hong Kong Youth Chinese Orchestra, the Island Youth Chinese Orchestra, the Kowloon Youth Chinese Orchestra, the New Territories Youth Chinese Orchestra, the Music Office Junior Chinese Orchestra, the Music Office Children's Chinese Orchestra, the Music Office Youth Choir and the Music Office Children's Choir.
 
     Young musicians aged 25 or below and who have attained the required music qualifications can now apply to enroll in a Chinese or Western ensemble, or choir training at different levels. Apart from weekly rehearsals, members can also broaden their horizons by participating in various cultural activities and concerts, or attending exchange sessions with young musicians from the Mainland and overseas.
 
     Training is free but members are required to bring their own instruments (except for bulky instruments) and pay for their uniforms and music scores.
 
     Online applications are available at www.lcsd.gov.hk/musicoffice. Course pamphlets and application forms are also available at all Music Office's music centres. Qualified applicants will receive details of their submission of an audition video by May 10. The deadline for submission of an audition video will be May 31. Applicants will be notified of the results by mid-August.
 
     For enquiries, please call the Music Office's music centres at 2802 0657 (Wan Chai), 2796 2893 (Kwun Tong), 2399 2200 (Mong Kok), 2158 6462 (Sha Tin) and 2417 6429 (Tsuen Wan).
 
     In view of the latest situation of COVID-19, visitors to music centres of the Music Office are required to scan the "LeaveHomeSafe" QR code or register their name, contact number and the date and time of the visit before being allowed to enter. They will also need to use a hand sanitiser, wear their own masks and be subject to temperature checks.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     US Dollar Liquidity Facility tender result:
 

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     â€‹The Legislative Council (LegCo) Bills Committee on Public Offices (Candidacy and Taking Up Offices) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 2021 will hold a meeting today (April 7) at 10.45am in Conference Room 3 of the LegCo Complex to meet with the Administration. 

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (April 7) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at  Stanley Main Beach, Shek O Beach and Big Wave Bay Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island; and Silverstrand Beach and Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at these beaches.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     During the service demand surge, the Hospital Authority is closely monitoring the service demand of Accident and Emergency Departments and the occupancy rates in public hospitals. Key service statistics are being issued daily for public information. Details are in the appended table.