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The epidemic situation of COVID-19 in Hong Kong is still serious and various strict epidemic control measures are still in place. Experts have suggested that the pandemic may extend beyond 2020, while we understand that the operation schedule of schools has been substantially affected. After careful assessment and consideration on the situation, the Association decided to make changes to the 73rd Hong Kong Schools Music Festival as follows:

• Video Submission Mode
  
  After consulting the Education Bureau and representatives of school sectors, the Association will replace live performances in the Music Festival by a “Video Submission Mode”, with adjudicators adjudicating videos of students’ performances to ensure safe participation for students, teachers, parents and adjudicators (local and overseas).
• Class Arrangement
  
  Only Solo and Duo classes will be held while Group classes will be cancelled in 2021. Such arrangement is to minimise the gathering of a large number of students during practices and competitions. We sincerely hope for your understanding on this decision.

As the mode of the Music Festival is changed, the Association will set out the Rules and Regulations dedicated for the new mode. Details of the Rules and Regulations will be released on the Association website by early October 2020.

The new Music Festival Syllabus is available on the Association website. Please note that the Class requirements of some Classes will be adjusted due to the Video Submission Mode.

Due to the pandemic, the enrolment of the 73rd Music Festival will be delayed to November 2020 to allow members more time to handle matters on enrolment. Furthermore, the schedule of the Festival events will be adjusted under the “Video Submission Mode”. Please refer to “Important Dates to be Noted” on the Association website for details.

Although the future is uncertain, the Association strives to organise the Music Festival through the new format. We hope you will understand and do your best to assist the students to take part in the Festival, so that they still have the opportunity to perform as well as benefit from the whole process.

As an organiser of major educational events, the Association has been closely monitoring the development of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic along with the rest of the school community. The health and well-being of Festival participants remains our top priority.

In view of the recent surge in COVID-19 cases and the uncertainty over the evolvement of the COVID-19 in the coming months, the Association has to adjust the mode of the 72nd Speech Festival scheduled from 16 November to 16 December 2020. After consulting the Education Bureau and representatives of Primary and Secondary School Heads Associations, the Executive Committee decided to replace live performances by a “Video Submission Mode”, with the adjudicators adjudicating the videos of students’ performances. The key features of the new mode are highlighted as follows:

• There is no change to the enrolment procedures.
• Competitors are required to video-record their performance and upload the video to designated video platforms. They will submit the video URL by completing an On-line Submission Form.
• There is no change to the method in grouping for each competition. Adjudicators will adjudicate the videos according to the existing judging criteria. There is no change to the scheme of awards and marks.
• The mark sheets will be collected by members and distributed to their students.

Details of the competition arrangements of “Video Submission Mode” (Annex 7 of Rules & Regulations) and guidelines regarding video submission will be available on the Association website from 26 August 2020. The Association will also set up some technical support centres to assist those who have difficulties in uploading videos and filling the On-line Submission Form, as well as a dedicated hotline to answer questions on new Mode. The details will also be announced in due course.

To keep up with possible changes to the new school term, the Association has extended the enrolment period of the Speech Festival. The schedule of the Festival events has also been adjusted under the “Video Submission Mode”. Please click Important Dates to be Noted (Video Submission Mode) to view the updated information.

In order to avoid overcrowding and reduce the risk of the spread of the COVID-19, we strongly encourage members and participants to use the On-line Enrolment System (OES) for enrolment of Speech Festival. Details of supporting measures for OES have been sent to members of the Association via member’s circulars.

While facing the completely unprecedented circumstances that the pandemic has brought, the Association makes every effort to keep the Speech Festival going, which offers a constructive platform for students to realise their artistic potential. Although the new mode does not allow face-to-face engagement, we implore your understanding on the restrictions and the potential health threats in running live competitions this year. We hope that schools, teachers, parents and students will reserve time for preparation.

We will continue to stay connected with the participants of the Festival and government officials and endeavour to conduct the Festival and its related activities in a safe environment. We appreciate your continued support to the Association and we look forward to your participation in the Speech Festival.