Qualified musicians aged 25 and under are invited to apply to the Leisure & Cultural Services Department's Music Office. It is now recruiting members for its 16 bands and orchestras and two choirs.

The groups provide different levels of ensemble training - an integral part of music education and an excellent opportunity for young players to hone their skills.

Music Office instructors conduct the training, which begins in September and runs until May 2004.

In addition to weekly rehearsals, members have the opportunity to participate in community cultural activities and concerts and broaden their horizons by collaborating with musicians from the Mainland and overseas.

Training is free. Members must supply their own instruments (except bulky ones) and pay for their uniforms.

The groups now recruiting are: the Hong Kong Youth Symphony Orchestra; Hong Kong Youth Strings; Hong Kong Junior Chamber Ensemble; Island Youth Strings; Kowloon Youth Strings; New Territories Youth Strings; Hong Kong Youth Symphonic Band; Kowloon Youth Symphonic Band; New Territories Youth Symphonic Band; Hong Kong Children's Symphonic Band; Hong Kong Youth Chinese Orchestra; Hong Kong Youth Chinese Plucked String Orchestra; Island Youth Chinese Orchestra; Kowloon Youth Chinese Orchestra; New Territories Youth Chinese Orchestra; Music Office Children's Chinese Orchestra; Music Office Youth Choir; and Music Office Children's Choir.

Leaflets and application forms are available from all of the Music Office's music centres or the website. Deadline for applications is May 17.

Qualified applicants will be invited to attend auditions in June or July; they will be required to perform a musical selection of their choice and pass a sight-reading test. Audition results will be made known by mid-August.