About 200 orchestras and bands from local primary and secondary schools will take part in the 2009 Hong Kong Youth Music Interflows from November 21 to January 1.

The annual event will provide a music exchange opportunity for local young musicians and enhance the standard of participating groups. It includes contests for symphonic bands, symphony orchestras, string orchestras and Chinese orchestras.

Seventy bands will compete in the symphonic band contest in five classes at Tuen Mun Town Hall on November 21 and 22, and at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium on December 26 and 27. The gold award winners of each class will vie for respective Grand Champion titles at the winners' final on January 1. Young clarinetist Natalie Hoe and the Youth Symphonic Band will be the guest performers at the final.

The symphony orchestra contest with 25 orchestras will be held at the Cultural Centre on November 28 in two sessions. Guest performing group Bassmen will present a double bass ensemble in both sessions.

The string orchestra contest with 35 orchestras will take place at Tsuen Wan Town Hall on December 6. Violin soloist Lu Xi will be the guest performer.

Sixty-two orchestras will take part in the Chinese orchestra contest to be held in three sessions at Tsuen Wan Town Hall on December 26 and 27. Renowned Zhonghu soloist, Hou Shihchieh, and the Music Office Instructors' Chinese Ensemble will perform in the contest.

At $30, tickets for symphonic band, symphony orchestra and string orchestra contests are now available at all URBTIX outlets or online, while those for the Chinese orchestra contest will be available from November 26. Telephone reservations can be made on 2734 9009. Click here or call 2582 5334 for programme details.