Top 10 Music Headlines, presented by RTHK Radio 4, is now in its 35th year. Each year, we invite listeners around the world together with professional critics, to tell us their choice of the top headlines. The news items are nominated by professionals in the music scene, and based on their influence on cultural and academic development in Hong Kong. Newsworthiness is a secondary consideration. Please select 10 news headlines from 21 nominations. Selection is made on the basis of cultural value and impact on academic development.

Voting period: 1 January 2021 (HKT0000) to 10 January 2021 (HKT2359)

Results were announced in the ‘2020 Top 10 Music Headlines’ programme.

01. 66.1%
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New World Development has acquired the ownership of the State Theatre. The developer has agreed to preserve the building, restore it and it will be reborn as a cultural centre as in the days of Isaac Stern and Benjamin Britten.
(Introduction by: Oliver Chou, music critic)
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02. 62.4%
ImagePhoto Credit: HKBU
The habits of the music industry have changed under the pandemic such as teaching and having competitions and examinations online, more virtual performances, live streaming of concerts, cancellation of intermissions, changes to concert starting times and use of partitions screens.
(Introduction by: Leon Chu, music critic)
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03. 60.9%
ImagePhoto Credit: HKCO
The HK Chinese Orchestra publishes what is to be the first book on the know-how of conducting a Chinese orchestra. Based on a decade of masterclasses and competitions, the book will put HK on the world map of Chinese orchestras.
(Introduction by: Celina Chin, CEO of the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra)
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04. 58.8%
ImagePhoto Credit: Hugh Osborne
In view of COVID-19, performance venues operated by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department have been closed three times, resulting in large numbers of performances being cancelled and re-scheduled, making it hard for the local music scene to survive.
(Introduction by: Kitty Lee, Senior Manager (Music) of Cultural Presentations Section of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department)
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05. 58.0%
ImagePhoto Credit: HKCO
The Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra and 3 Hong Kong formed a 5G strategic alliance and become the first arts group to live broadcast a concert using 5G technology, and the first supported by OFCA in using 5G technology.
(Introduction by: Celina Chin, CEO of the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra)
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06. 55.4%
ImagePhoto Credit: Ka Lam_HK Phil
After the Season Opening concert, all Hong Kong Philharmonic members are sent to Penny’s Bay for a 14-day mandatory quarantine after the Orchestra’s bass clarinetist tests positive for Covid-19.
(Introduction by: Benedikt Fohr, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra)
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07. 54.7%
ImagePhoto Credit: HKCO
Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra Drum Graded Exam, an initiative launched in 2020, has accredited by the Centre for Chinese Music Studies of The Chinese University of Hong Kong. It sets a milestone for the development of Chinese drum music.
(Introduction by: Celina Chin, CEO of the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra)
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08. 53.1%
ImagePhoto Credit: HK Sinfonietta Ltd
Hong Kong Sinfonietta becomes the first local orchestra to appear on the silver screen with its live-recorded concert “Back On Stage”, which is broadcast on TV. The film draws two rounds of additional cinema screenings.
(Introduction by: Yip Wing-sie, Music Director Emeritus of the Hong Kong Sinfonietta)
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09. 48.4%
ImagePhoto Credit: Trinity Hong Kong Music Centre
The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music launches a remotely-assessed Performance Grade examination. Trinity College London also initiates a Digital Grades and Diplomas Exam, both breaking the traditional format of examinations.
(Introduction by: Chow Fan-fu, music critic)
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10. 48.2%
ImagePhoto Credit: HKADC
To address to the pressing needs of the arts sector, the Government’s Anti-epidemic Fund injects $55 million into its “Support Scheme for Arts & Cultural Sector”. The Scheme receives over 5,200 applications and disburses/approves a total of $40.62 million.
(Introduction by: Sky Sum, Acting Senior Manager of the Support Scheme for Arts and Cultural Sector of the Hong Kong Arts Development Council)
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11. 47.7%
ImagePhoto Credit: LCSD
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department launches a special one-stop online resources centre in April. Its digital content covers concert archives from local flagship orchestras and commission works from arts groups, all streamed for free.
(Introduction by: Kitty Lee, Senior Manager (Music) of Cultural Presentations Section of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department)
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12. 45.6%
ImagePhoto Credit: Musicus Society
Since many overseas musicians cannot travel to Hong Kong at times during the pandemic, many local talents have more opportunity to perform on stage or stand in for these overseas musicians.
(Introduction by: Colleen Lee, pianist)
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13. 43.5%
ImagePhoto Credit: HKCO
Doming Lam, the ‘Father of Hong Kong Modern Music’ becomes the first composer whose works appear in both the season opening concerts of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra and the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra.
(Introduction by: Doming Lam)
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14. 42.2%
ImagePhoto Credit: HKAF
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, for the first time in its history, all performances of the 48th Hong Kong Arts Festival and its related events, including Young Friends activities, in February and March 2020 are cancelled.
(Introduction by: Tisa Ho, Executive Director of the Hong Kong Arts Festival)
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15. 41.2%
ImagePhoto Credit: CASH
Composers and Authors Society of Hong Kong Ltd distributes a special royalty of HK$5,000 to all Writer Members in the name of ‘Music Alive’ in order to keep up the creative spirit of music creators amid the pandemic.
(Introduction by: Kitty Ma, Head of Corporate Communications of Composers and Authors Society of Hong Kong Ltd)
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16. 39.6%
ImagePhoto Credit: Tey Tat Keng
Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra appoints Lio Kuokman as its Resident Conductor, covering the 2020/21 and 2021/22 seasons.
(Introduction by: Benedikt Fohr, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra)
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17. 38.6%
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Being affected by the pandemic, the HK Treble Choir ceases its operations after 20 years of music-making.
(Introduction by: Leon Tong, Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the Hong Kong Treble Choir)
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18. 38.3%
ImagePhoto Credit: West Kowloon Cultural District Authority
The West Kowloon Cultural District Authority initiates a $3-million ‘Arts Relief Scheme 2020’ to help support the Hong Kong arts and cultural community affected by the COVID-19 crisis.
(Introduction by: Paul Tam, Executive Director of Performing Arts of West Kowloon Cultural District Authority)
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19. 37.8%
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Arnaldo de Oliveira Sales, the then Urban Council Chairman dies at 100. He was behind the financial independence of Urban Council, building of the HK Cultural Centre, the establishment of professional arts groups etc.
(Introduction by: Oliver Chou, music critic)
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20. 31.6%
ImagePhoto Credit: AYO
Richard Pontzious, Founder, Artistic Director and Conductor of the Asian Youth Orchestra passes away.
(Introduction by: Chow Fan-fu, music critic)
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21. 27.7%
ImagePhoto Credit: Tey Tat Keng
Lio Kuokman makes a record by going through quarantine three times for his seven Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra performances, including the season opening concert.
(Introduction by: Lio Kuokman)
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