A City Alive with the Sound of Music

June 17th 2013 An Insider Guide to Hong Kong’s Music Scene by Natasha Chan Music lovers unite! Hong Kong’s music scene is beats ahead. If you’re a Hong Konger hungry for music sustenance, satisfy your appetite with the buffet of musical delights the city has on offer. Tour the many live music venues and theatres, test your own talent by learning an instrument, take up singing, or form a band and record your own jam in a professional studio. Live and Kicking! Despite of the seemingly ever-present Canto-pop and K-pop that can be heard blasting out of the radio, television, shopping malls and bars, Hong Kong delivers exceptional live music across a sea of genres – at least one of which is bound to float your musical boat. So, sit back, relax and soak up some fabulous performances created by Hong Kong’s very own talented music groups. If you like it loud and lairy, check out some great indie gigs at The Underground! Whether it’s alt, rock, punk, world, folk or synth you’re after, these musical entertainers organise live showcases and reviews of Hong Kong’s latest albums and up-and-coming bands on their quest to give local musicians a mouthpiece. If you’re looking for entertainment for a special event, The Underground crew can also hook you up with your musical match thanks to their deep knowledge of the hip Hong Kong scene. The timeless beauty of classical music can be appreciated right here in our city with one of Asia’s most active and celebrated orchestras, the Hong Kong Philharmonic. Packed with international talent, this band of merry musicians brings more than 150 concerts to 200,000 music lovers every year. If this sounds like your refined cup of tea, kick back with an evening of enriching and timeless performances that will leave you calling for an encore. Instruments aside, Hong Kong is also home to many exceptional vocal performance groups. Katterwall's in-house singers Soho Collective produce finger clicking, foot stomping concerts of all-time classic hits using only vocal harmony arrangements. If you’re hankering after some additional theatrical flair however, immerse yourself in an evening of live cabaret with Golden Voice Entertainment. Boasting a range of musical styles from acappella to opera, Golden Voice will never fail to steal the show. Practice Makes Perfect Rather than simply admiring the talents of others however, why not put your own musical abilities to the test? Impress your friends with a repertoire of new favourite and all-time classics with the help of our music tutors. Exercise your fingers and your mind with both practical and theory lessons at Centre Stage, where you can test run the tutors with a free trial lesson. You can also learn to collaborate with other musicians and build your confidence through music recitals and performances. Need a place to practice? Rather than having your tutor travel to you or vice versa, ONE Serviced Music Rooms rents rooms to teachers and students looking for a place to reach their musical potential. If you prefer to practice in your own at home, you can buy all the sheet music you need at Hao Staff Music Publishing's online music store. With the wide variety of genres to choose from, you will never run out of practice pieces. Do, Re, Mi easy as 1, 2, 3… If, however, you would rather exercise your God given instrument, sign yourself up for singing lessons with the highly-trained instructors at VOIZE Centre of Contemporary Singing, where you will learn the vocal development techniques that propelled countless stars including Michael Jackson and Adam Lambert, to fame. Katterwall's one-on-one singing lessons will also put you through your paces in a range of genres from pop to opera, all taught inside professional studios. Make Some Noise Do you already possess musical talent or are you part of a budding band collective? Then head down to R.I.S.E. Entertainment and record your debut demo in a chilled out music studio. Providing all the necessary equipment, RISE Entertainment boasts high quality set-ups that can accommodate acoustic, jazz/lounge bands, DJs and more. You can also set up your full band independently for private practices and rehearsals.

If you’ve always dreamt about the rock star experience but don’t have the band to back you up however, CHORUS Hong Kong Ltd is the place for you. These musical fixers match musicians and singers of similar ages and genres so they can form a band and prepare for live performances under the guidance of a professional teacher. No matter your level, whether you are a beginner or an expert, join a band, get your jam on and start on the road to stardom!

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