China Donates to Academy

The Chinese government has made what is almost certainly the largest single donation in the Academy’s history, with US$80 000 worth of musical instruments, office and A/V equipment. The instruments included ten flutes, ten violins, three violas, five cellos, two double-basses, three each of trumpets, trombones and saxophones, five guitars, four drum-kits, a keyboard - and a “horizontal Chinese harp”.  There were also two 42 inch flat-screen televisions, both desk and laptop computers, ink-jet and laser printers, cameras, video cameras, scanners, fax machines, an amplifier and an electrically controlled screen.

Apart from the very welcome updating of office equipment, the additional resources have enabled the Academy in conjunction with its own equipment to establish three rooms with full DVD facilities, two with projectors and screens and the third with a television, so that it can accommodate audiences of up to 300, 50-60 or 15-20.  It also means that the Hudson Room can now function as an audio-visual room both for groups and individuals working at individual desks with computers equipped with the Sibelius programme and sound facilities.

The donation was handed over at a special concert given by Academy students on 23 June attended by Mr.Li Hua, First Secretary at the Chinese Embassy, and Senator David Coltart, Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture.  Mr.Li said that “music goes beyond borders and it has a universal language that everyone understands. Through music, nations can be brought closer to each other.”

Senator Coltart extended his thanks to the Chinese government and went on to explain how the donation had arisen, saying that he was invited to the Peoples Republic of China late in 2010: “I met the Chinese Minister of Culture last year when I visited the country and I was taken to a magnificent opera centre.  During my visit there, my ministry was given a donation of musical instruments as a token of appreciation which we could use at our own discretion.”  He went on to explain that he thought the Academy was a worthy recipient and commented: “It is a miracle that the Academy has survived this long. It has gone through a lot and has withstood the test of time.  It has done wonderful work for the community.  We hope that the next generation of children will learn to appreciate classical music.”

By Admin in News on June 23, 2011