香港中乐团是备受赞誉的非盈利组织；作为香港文化大使，中乐团经常获邀于国际著名音乐厅演出。中乐团致力于创造一流的、有创意的、富有美感的艺术，也坚持平衡好中国传统音乐和现代音乐。香港中乐团获过许多殊荣，包括2002年香港国际现代音乐节颁赠的“最杰出弘扬现代中乐荣誉大奖”以及首创最多人同时演奏二胡的世界纪录。他们是唯一一个自主研发并使用属于乐团的乐器，并将自主研发的乐器卖给中国以及中国台湾地区其他乐团。香港中乐团还与学校合作，除经常到学校演出外，还积极参与学校教育工作，培育新一代音乐人才。
HKCO is a highly-esteemed, non-profit organisation whom as Cultural Ambassador of Hong Kong, have been invited to perform in many famous venues around the world. Dedicated to creating first-rate, innovative and beautiful art, HKCO continue to develop the perfect balance between contemporary and traditional Chinese music. They have attained many awards including ‘The Most Outstanding Achievement in Advancing Contemporary Chinese Music’ by the ISCM World Music Days 2002 Hong Kong and a new Guinness World Record for the highest number of erhu players performing at the same time. They are the only Chinese orchestra to research and use their own instruments which they sell to other orchestras in China and Taiwan. They are also committed to nurturing the growth of a new generation of musicians and are consequently heavily involved with educating and performing in schools.
在今天的采访中，DB十分荣幸邀请到香港中乐团的行政总监——钱敏华博士。自2001年香港中乐团成为独立的非盈利组织起，钱博士就发挥着至关重要的作用。钱博士是企业董事文凭及公司管治专业文凭持有人；近年，她还在英国密德萨斯大学完成非分配利润组织策略管理硕士。今天，DB与钱博士了解了更多关于她在香港中乐团工作的角色及其工作经历。
In today’s interview, DB has the privilege of talking with Dr Celina Chin Man-wah – the first Executive Director of HKCO. Dr Chin has played a crucial role in the growth of HKCO since its transition into an independent, non-profit organisation in 2001. She holds The Hong Kong Institute of Directors Diploma in Company Direction and Professional Diploma in Corporate Governance & Directorship. More recently, she achieved a Master of Arts in Strategic Management for Non-Distributing Organization at Middlesex University. Today, DB finds out more about her role and experience working with HKCO.

DB: 香港中乐团即将在9月份迎来它的40周年，请问你们打算如何庆祝？In September, the 40th anniversary of HKCO orchestral season will commence. How will you be celebrating?

事实上，我们的庆祝从去年就开始了。我们准备了许多特别的活动，计划在这两年不同时段举行。去年，我们为新的委员会举办了一次特别的开幕式。我们为中国民乐指挥家和新的作曲家举办了国际性的比赛。接下来的庆祝活动是9月份的一场音乐会，我们会演奏我们中乐团的经典作品，以及一首通常我们只在国外演出的作品。庆祝活动是由香港中乐团和香港儿童合唱团以及其他社团机构合作举办的。我们也会根据一名香港本土作曲家的曲子，创作一首新的作品出来，把它收录到我们超过2300首音乐的作品集中。到了十月份，我们会在40年前的10月14日，乐团第一次演出的地方，进行一样的表演。我们也会举办香港国际青年中乐节，让音乐家们有机会交流各自的音乐心得、音乐文化。在音乐节上，我们会选几首经典的作品，把它们现代化，让在香港青少年中乐团的年轻音乐家们演奏出来。今年同时也是香港鼓乐节的第15个年头，我们也会邀请他们一起来表演、庆祝。我们有十分紧密、繁忙的庆祝活动！
Actually, we started our celebrations last year. We have so many special projects that we spread it out over two years. Last year, we had a special opening for new commissions. We hosted an international competition for Chinese music conductors and new compositions. The forthcoming celebration programme will include a concert in September and we will feature the works of the Chinese Orchestra and present a piece we only usually perform overseas. As part of the programme, we will be working with the Hong Kong Children’s Choir among other engagements with the community. We will also commission a new piece from a Hong Kong local composer, to add to our collection of over 2,300. In October, we will perform the same programme that was performed on the 14th October in the same place that the orchestra started, forty years ago. We will hold the Hong Kong International Youth Festival and it will be a platform for musicians to exchange musical culture. As part of the Festival, we will select some classical music for younger musicians in the Chinese youth orchestra to perform, modified for them to be able to play. This year is also the 15th anniversary of the Hong Kong Drum Festival and we will invite them to perform to celebrate. We have a very busy programme!

DB: 您在文化项目管理方面有丰富的经验，包括亚洲艺术节、中国音乐节、香港国际电影节等等。请问是什么激励了您想要加入到香港中乐团？You have rich experience and involvement in many cultural sectors including the Festival of Asian Arts, Chinese Music Festival and Hong Kong International Film Festival, to name a few. What inspired you to become involved with HKCO?

1982年的时候我在政府入境事务局工作。6年之后，我看到广告在招聘一名文化管理者，于是我去申请并被聘用了。1996年的时候，我作为公务员被派到香港中乐团。过了不久，香港中乐团被企业化，这意味着政府公务员不能在从事行政管理工作，管理队伍需要被重组。当时政府建议我留下来帮忙，因此我就成为了第一任的行政总监。有些人问我为什么放弃当政府公务员的那么多好处，来到香港中乐团。我的回答是，香港中乐团正带领着中国民乐走向世界，同时我们的使命是要香港人享受到高标准的中国民乐。
I was the Immigration Officer in 1982 for the government. After six years of service, I saw the advertisement for a cultural manager, which I applied for and was accepted. In 1996, I was posted to the HKCO as a government servant. The HKCO was corporatised a few later meaning the government servants no longer did the administration and so a new team was needed. The government recommended me to help and I then I later moved over and became the first Executive Director. Some people ask me why I gave up the many benefits of my job in the government service to join the HKCO. My answer is that HKCO is a leading Chinese orchestra in the world and we have a mission to provide a high standard Chinese orchestra for the people of Hong Kong.

DB: 作为第一任行政总监，您觉得您为香港中乐团带来些什么？As the first Executive Director of HKCO, what do you feel you have been able to bring to the organisation?

2001年以前我曾是交响乐队的项目经理，因此我有与交响乐团包括音乐家一起工作的相关经验，也因此对这个社群有更多的联系和了解。世界上许多政策制定者都集中关注可见的数字上，比如收入是多少，但我们很多的贡献是无形的。也许一年内成效并没有很明显，但长期下来你能看到它的进步及发展。我们为社会服务，包括为不能负担门票的人表演。我实施了一个“乐在其中显关怀”的计划，捐助者的钱会用来为贫困阶层购买门票。同时，我们还有项目让这个群体更好地融入，比如我们的吉尼斯世界纪录。另外，我们也会积极调动观众积极性。比如说，在音乐会中，我们会分发中国鼓给观众，让大家一起来表演一曲。我尽我所能为这个社会带来更多的东西。
I was the programme manager of the orchestra before 2001 so I had experience working closely with the orchestra, including the musicians. Consequently, I was more connected to the community. The policy makers around the world focus mostly on tangible figures, like the number of audits but many of our contributions are intangible. The outcome might not be obvious in one year but long term you will see the development. We serve the community and this includes providing music for people that cannot afford tickets. I implemented the “Music for Love” scheme which uses donations from donors to purchase tickets for under-privileged members of the community. We have programmes for the purpose of getting the community involved, like our Guinness World Record. We also use audience participation. For example, at a concert we gave out Chinese drums to audience members to get people to work together to perform the piece. I try to bring more to the community.

DB: 据我了解，您带领着你们的团队进入到了教育领域，这是得到大家认可的。请问为什么教育对您来说是非常重要的一部分？I understand that you have lead your team to expand education programmes which have gained national recognition. Why is education so important to you?

美国有一个调查表明，让12岁以下的儿童接触音乐是非常重要的。如果你能把音乐植入他们心底，他们长大之后就能够把它展示出来。因此音乐文化教育对小孩子来说是很重要的。我们有许多相关的项目，像香港少年中乐团，乐器教学课程，以及和其他机构合作推广中国民乐。我们有为我们三年的中乐教育课程的基金项目。在儿童中乐团项目里，我们教他们如何变得更专业，让他们知道如何更好地发展自己。同时，我们提供实习项目给年轻人加入到乐团当中，让小孩子学会如何当团队里的一名演奏者，也学会团队合作。当你在乐团里演奏，你必须学会倾听他人，这是小孩子必须学会的、非常重要的技巧。
There is a survey in the US that demonstrates how important it is to expose children to music below the age of twelve. If you plant the music in their hearts, they will come back to it in later life. It is therefore very important to have cultural education for the children. We have many programmes like the Hong Kong Junior Chinese Orchestra, instrumental classes and we work with other organisations to promote Chinese music. We received funding for our three-year programme of Chinese music education. As part of the children’s Chinese orchestra, we teach them to become more professional so they know how to develop themselves to a higher level. We also provide internships for young people to join the orchestra. It teaches children how to be a team player and provides an environment for children to learn to work together. When you play in the orchestra you must listen to others and this is an important skill for children to learn.

DB: 请问您作为行政总监，最大的收获是什么？What is the most rewarding aspect of your role as Executive Director?

我觉得是自我价值的实现。当我在入境事务局工作的时候，我没有这么的有创造力。在文化部门工作，意味着你必须要学会创造、创新、与人合作。当你看到你的想法变成了事实，像我们创造了世界纪录，这是非常有意义的。
I think it is self-actualisation. When I worked in the immigration department I didn’t get to be too creative. Working in the cultural sector means you can be creative, innovate and work with people. Seeing your idea turn into reality, like when we set a world record, is very rewarding.

DB: 香港中乐团坚持着提供最卓越的中国民乐，也希望成为香港人的骄傲，成为世界级的中乐团。请问这是你们未来计划的一部分吗？HKCO continues to offer excellence in Chinese music and aims to attain a world-class status that is the pride of the Hong Kong people. Is this something you anticipate for the future?

是的，这是我们的使命。香港中乐团在过去的10到20年里，成为了香港的一个标志。我们很开心我们在世界上也变得越来越有吸引力。我们希望这股趋势在未来会持续上升。我希望中国民乐能与西方交响乐有同样的地位。我们正在引领中乐团的发展，但我们希望它能与世界交响乐得到同样的认可。
Yes, it is our mission. The orchestra has grown in its appeal to the Hong Kong community in the last ten to twenty years. We are very happy that we are now growing more appealing to the rest of the world too. We hope this interest continues to grow in the future. We want Chinese music to become of equivalent status to Western orchestra. We are already a leading Chinese orchestra but we hope to be recognised at the same standard as world orchestras.

Website: www.hkco.org
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