A music centre has been set up in Hanoi to teach appreciation to audiences and get more people involved in the art.

The centre will introduce participants to noted domestic and foreigncomposers and hold music workshops and classes on playing instrumentsand singing.

The not-for-profit centre charges minimalfees and is open to all ages and backgrounds, according to composer VanDung head of the centre.

The centre was the brainchild ofcomposer Pham Tuyen, former chairman of Hanoi Music Association, and hasbeen picked up by current chairman and composer Ho Quang Binh.

"The association doesn't have the financial resources to run such acentre but we hope to receive support from individuals and organisationsthroughout the country," Binh said.

A choir, HanoiHarmony, has already been set up with 50 members. After two months ofrehearsals, the choir has a repertoire of six works and plans to giveits debut public performance at the Hanoi Opera House in October.

Composer Van Dung heads the centre, supported by deputy head ProfessorNguyen Lan Cuong, composer Hoang Lan, singer Bich Viet, artist Tran Duc,conductor Nguyen Thieu Hoa and composer Ho Trong Tan.

Thecentre operate from its main office at 19 Hang Buom Street, at theHanoi Arts College at 7 Hai Ba Trung street and, later, at the NationalAcademy of Music, the Military Arts and Culture College, and the CentralArts Teachers Training College.

Binh said the centre planned to expand to other areas in the country. /.