PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release 27 August 2013

Media Enquiries Sharon Chan General Manager Hong Kong New Music Ensemble Email: [email protected] Tel: +852 90305649

“The Modern Academy” Press Conference and Info Session 6 September 2013, 16:30 agnès b. CINEMA, Hong Kong Arts Centre Presented by Hong Kong New Music Ensemble In collaboration with Goethe-Institut Hongkong

I. The Modern Academy Summary Among one of the 14 grantees of the 2nd round funding exercise of Arts Capacity Development Funding Scheme of the HKSAR Government, the Hong Kong New Music Ensemble proudly presents The Modern Academy, a project under the Project Grant of the above-mentioned Scheme.

The Modern Academy is an intensive course focused on increasing skills of advanced students and young professional musicians in the performance and appreciation of music of the late 20th and 21st centuries.

The first Modern Academy will take place 3-9 January 2014 in Hong Kong. 60 young string players, percussionists, conductors and sound engineers from Hong Kong, Mainland China and overseas will be given the opportunity to work alongside world-class mentors to study modern masterpieces and freshly-written works.

A press conference and info session for teachers, press, parents and potential students will take place on Friday 6 September, 4.30pm (for press) and 5pm (teachers and students). The Academy brochure will be available and the Academy website will be activated on the day.

A significant part of this project relies on the expertise of specialist foreign professionals who come to Hong Kong to perform, teach and inspire. This year The Modern Academy welcomes guests from Germany: the world-famous string ensemble Ensemble Resonanz (), conductor Manuel Nawri (Berlin) and sound engineer Sebastian Schottke (Karlsruhe). These musicians of international calibre complement a fine local teaching staff, coordinated by the Hong Kong New Music Ensemble.

Students will live at the HKFYG Jockey Club Sai Kung Outdoor Training Camp, and work from the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts and Y-Square in Chai Wan. Working together in daily workshops, lessons and rehearsals, the participants will be given tools to become well-rounded musicians of the 21st century.

Presented in collaboration with Goethe-Institut Hongkong

The Modern Academy is financially supported by the Arts Capacity Development Funding Scheme of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Partner Spring Workshop

Mentors Ensembles-in-residence and instrumental tutors: Ensemble Resonanz (Germany), Hong Kong New Music Ensemble (HK) Conductor-in-Residence: Prof. Manuel Nawri (Germany) Associate Conductor: Vicky Shin (HK) Associate Quartet-in-Residence: Romer Quartet (HK) Composer-in-Residence: Dr. Samson Young (HK) Sound Engineer: Sebastian Schottke (Germany) Improvisation: Kung Chi-Shing (HK)

Course Information Date: 3 -9 January 2014 (Fri to Thu) (7 days) Venue: Jockey Club Sai Kung Outdoor Training Camp, Youth Square, Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts Application: Apply online at www.hknme.org/themodernacademy (from 6 September) Enquiries: [email protected]/ +852 3568-8470

Concerts 5 Jan: Student concert at Jockey Club Outdoors Activity Centre, Sai Kung 6 Jan: Ensemble Resonanz Concert 1 Resonances, at HKAPA Jockey Club Amphitheatre 7 Jan: HKNME Concert An Index of Metals, at Y Theatre, Youth Square, Chai Wan 8 Jan: Ensemble Resonanz Concert 2 Black Angels, at Y-Theatre, Youth Square, Chai Wan 9 Jan: Street Music and Student Concert 2 at Y-Platform & Y-Theatre, Youth Square, Chai Wan

II. Press Conference

Date: 6 September 2013 (Fri) 4.30pm Venue: agnès b. CINEMA, Hong Kong Arts Centre Enquiries: [email protected]/ +852 3568-8470

III. About Us

Hong Kong New Music Ensemble The Hong Kong New Music Ensemble (HKNME) was founded in 2008 to present contemporary music to Hong Kong audiences. It has been widely praised for its innovative programming and interdisciplinary collaborations with artists from different mediums.

The HKNME has collaborated with organisations including Zuni Icosahedron, Guangdong Modern Dance Company and Osage Gallery, and often has residencies at universities in Hong Kong and greater China. It has toured to Guangzhou, Chengdu, Shanghai, Macau, Kuala Lumpur, Taipei, Singapore, Hobart and Angkor Wat.

In 2012, the HKNME co-founded SOUTHSITE, an exciting new venue for its contemporary music activities. It was also named a one-year-grantee by the Hong Kong Arts Development Council. In 2013 it was awarded a grant by the Home Affairs Bureau for “The Modern Academy”.

The group’s 6th season in 2013-2014 will include concerts dedicated to Ligeti, Reich, Romitelli and Chinese composers, and appearances at the Hong Kong Arts Festival and other major arts festivals. www.hknme.org

Ensemble Resonanz Ensemble Resonanz represents a new generation of musicians: they bridge between traditional and contemporary music, and seek to contrast and connect old masters with modern composers. As both a chamber orchestra and an ensemble of soloists, it conducts regular concert tours in Germany and has inspired audiences in Vienna, Paris, Venice, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, New York and Mexico.

From 2010 until 2013, star cellist Jean-Guihen Queyras has been the Artist in Residence; in September 2013 takes over as both soloist and musical director. Other partners include , Fazil Say, and the RIAS chamber choir.

In 2002 Ensemble Resonanz settled in the in Hamburg as Ensemble in Residence, and established the highly successful concert series “Resonanzen”. This is the 12th season that it has enriched the musical life of Hamburg by offering striking contrasts in its programs of classical works, newly commissioned works and premiere performances.