Community Cultural Ambassador Scheme brings performing arts to masses, nurturing young musical talent

During a music theatre performance at the Museum of Costal Defence, the Windpipe Chinese Music Ensemble presented the martial arts culture unique to Chinese communities through instruments including the yangqin, pipa and huqin.

From just a few music bars, audiences were immediately transported to the world of legendary martial arts master Wong Fei-hung.

A storyteller dressed in a traditional Chinese costume vividly narrates the story of the growth of the character "Wong Siu-hung", who aspires to learn martial arts like Wong Fei-hung and help the weak in society.

Audience participation

The melody reverberated through the museum, evoking the collective memory of the local audience, both young and old, who were captivated by the performance.

"It is amazing! Can you hear the echo? It feels more immersive. I have been exposed to Cantonese opera and Chinese music since I was young, so I really appreciate and encourage these performances," said audience member Mr Lau.

The audience was invited to interact with the storyteller during the music theatre performance. A parent, Mr Wong, encouraged his child to try martial arts moves with the storyteller and break a foam board with one hand.

"My child really enjoyed the performance. He is very interested in classical Chinese music and I hope to expose him to Chinese culture at an early age."

Nurturing talent

The Windpipe Chinese Music Ensemble has been selected as a Community Cultural Ambassador for the sixteenth time. Through hosting nearly 1,000 music theatre performances, instrument workshops and lectures, the ensemble has widened its audience base as well as enriched the experience of local young musicians.

"Their average age is under 30. They are Academy for Performing Arts graduates and need a platform to showcase their skills after graduation. The Community Cultural Ambassador Scheme is an ideal platform that allows us to design different types of programs and stage many shows to share our music with the public," Windpipe Chinese Music Ensemble Executive Director Chan Chiu-yin explained.

Community connection

The Leisure & Cultural Services Department's Community Cultural Ambassador Scheme was launched in 1999. About 20 ambassadors are selected annually to bring performing arts to public spaces in different districts, such as parks, shopping malls, and community halls.

The scheme covers five art forms, including Chinese opera/operatic singing, dance, music, theatre arts, and multi-media, with the ceiling sponsorship fee set at $700,000 for each project.

Leisure & Cultural Services Department Senior Manager (Audience Building) Nelson Lai noted that the scheme aims to popularise performing arts.

"Performing arts such as ballet, contemporary dance, or classical music may seem too high-brow or inaccessible to some members of the public. They must buy tickets and go to concert halls or theatres to enjoy these performances. We hope that regular folks on the street can appreciate performing arts too, so they will gradually become the audience going to the theatre and concert halls."

To align with the government's focus on youth development, starting in 2024, the scheme will prioritize local young arts groups or artist ensembles to serve as ambassadors.