The Instrumental Music Training Scheme is inviting applicants aged seven to 14 to join for 2004-05. The application deadline is August 31.

Organised by the Leisure & Cultural Services Department Music Office, the scheme offers basic training in more than 20 Western and Chinese instruments, such as violin, cello, double bass, harp, flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, trumpet, French horn, trombone, saxophone, sheng, dizi, pipa, guzheng, erhu, zhongruan and yangqin. Supplementary training in musicianship and theory is also provided.

The two-year elementary training courses start in November. Weekly group lessons will be conducted in Cantonese at the Music Office's five centres in Wan Chai, Kwun Tong, Mong Kok, Sha Tin and Tsuen Wan. The monthly tuition fee is $130.

The School Instrumental Music Training Scheme is also inviting applications for elementary violin and dizi, pipa classes in Tin Shui Wai. Annual tuition fee is $1,170. Children aged seven to 10 are welcome to join.

Leaflets and application forms on the schemes are available at the music centres and the office's website.