MU Connect #11

The orchestra is the flagship of the University’s Chinese Music Project, led by Dr Chan Chi-chun, Lecturer in the School of Arts and Social Sciences. A dizi (Chinese flute) and xiao (vertical bamboo flute) player by training, Dr Chan specialises in Chinese funeral music traditions and served as a Taoist music consultant for the 2024 hit film The Last Dance . He joined HKMU in 2024 and teaches Cantonese opera art, an introduction to Chinese folk vocal arts, and Chinese music and film music, among other subjects. “HKMU does not have a music department or a major in Chinese music,” Dr Chan explains. “So I wanted to use traditional music as a vehicle for students to encounter, learn about and ultimately appreciate Chinese culture.” Backed by funding from the University’s Quality Enhancement Measures (QEM) Scheme for a three-year period, the project began rolling out last September and has quickly expanded. In addition to the orchestra, it now offers instrumental classes and a suite of general education courses covering Chinese music, film and popular music. Every Tuesday at dusk, the auditorium on HKMU’s Jockey Club Campus comes alive with the sound of Chinese music. Students from across the disciplines bend over their stands, polishing passages until they shine. This is the HKMU Chinese Orchestra, formed in March, bringing fresh cultural energy into campus life. The ensemble has a number of veteran performers and welcomes newcomers too — a mix that is no accident. 陳子晉博士（右，站立）、黎家棣先生（左，站立）和都大中樂團成員 Dr Chan Chi-chun (right, standing), Mr Sebastien Lai Ka-tai (left, standing) and the HKMU Chinese Orchestra members

每逢週二黃昏，來自不同學科的同學聚首於都大賽馬會校園的綜藝廳，專注於一段段國樂樂章的磨合，這是今年 3 月新成立的香港都會大學中樂團（都大中樂團）埋首練習的情景。樂團既有臥虎藏龍，亦有初哥加入，為校園注入清新的文化氣息。都大中樂團是「中國音樂計劃」的重點項目，由人文社會科學院講師陳子晉博士出任計劃負責人。陳博士本身是笛子及洞簫演奏家，專研殯儀音樂，曾為電影《破‧地獄》擔任道教音樂顧問， 2024 年加入都大，任教粵劇藝術及曲藝概論、中國音樂及電影音樂等課程。「都大沒有音樂系或中國音樂主修課程，因此我想以中樂為媒介，讓學生有機會接觸、理解，以至欣賞中國文化。」陳博士說。計劃為期三年，獲校方「質素優化措施」計劃撥款資助，並自去年 9 月起開展多項工作，除了成立中樂團，還開辦器樂訓練班，以及推出通識教育課程，涵蓋中樂、電影與流行音樂。