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The following is issued on behalf of the Provisional Regional Council:
The Provisional Regional Council will present a series of concerts entitled "Young Soloists Series" next (August) month, introducing six talented musicians specialising in different musical instruments.
The soloists are yangqin player Lai Ying-bun, violinist Leung Lok, viola player Mike Chau; percussionist Ho Ming-yan, guzheng player Wong Ching-yee and zhongruan player Fong Ka-po.
Lai Ying-bun won the first prize in the junior yangqin class in 1993 Schools Music Festival and later proceeded to win the first prize in the senior class in 1995, then the advanced class in 1996. This year he played the Spring in the Qing River and the Lament of Lady Zhao Jun, and received the Hugo Chinese Instrument Solo Award and the Hugo scholarship. His talent was also shown in performances with the Yao Yuen Chinese Orchestra, the Hong Kong Ling Nan Orchestra and the Hong Kong Artists Troupe.
Beginning to learn violin at the age of six, 22-year-old Leung Lok is currently a violin major at the Lamar University in the United States (US). During his three-year study in the US, he gave two recitals and performed Beethoven's Violin Concerto with the Lamar Symphony Orchestra. By invitation, Leung performed with four orchestras in the US. This year he entered the Kingsville International Young Performers Competition.
Mike Chau started to study the violin at the age of seven and study the viola at nine. After taking Diploma and Advanced Diploma music education at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, he was awarded a full scholarship from the Boston Music Conservatory in the US and was chosen to be the principal viola with the Boston Music Conservatory Orchestra. He was invited to give recitals with String Quartet and Chamber Music Ensemble at the Hong Kong Governor's House in 1996. In the same year, he started to organise a Chamber Music Ensemble and gave several concerts in Boston. He also played with the National Orchestra of Boston and Berkshire Symphony Orchestra and was the principal viola of the Great Marlboro Orchestra in Boston.
Ho Ming-yan started learning percussion at the age of 13. In 1996, she was awarded a full scholarship from the Hong Kong Jockey Club Music and Dance Fund to further her study at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, United Kingdom where she was given a major entrance award. Ho is now the co-principal Timpani/Percussion of the Hong Kong Sinfonietta.
Wong Ching-yee learned to play guzheng since childhood and was admitted to the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts as a guzheng major. As an undergraduate, she had twice been a recipient of "Jackie Chan's Foundation Scholarship", and frequently represented the Academy in large-scale performances. Wong gave her guzheng debut in 1994, which was a great success with acclaims. With outstanding academic results, she obtained a Bachelor degree this year and gave her graduate concert at the Academy.
Fong Ka-po studied at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts with a major in zhongruan and minor in liuqin and graduated with excellent academic results this year. She is currently enrolled by the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra as a commissioned zhongruan musician, and a part-time tutor-cum-performer of zhongruan and liuqin at the Hong Kong Music Office.
The "Young Soloists Series" will be held as follows:
* Yangqin Recital by Lai Ying-bun
8 pm, August 8 (Saturday)
Cultural Activities Hall, Sha Tin Town Hall
* Violin Recital by Leung Lok
8 pm, August 9 (Sunday)
Cultural Activities Hall, Tuen Mun Town Hall
* Viola Recital by Mike Chau
8 pm, August 23 (Sunday)
Cultural Activities hall, Tsuen Wan Town Hall
* Percussion Concert by Ho Ming-yan
8 pm, August 28 (Friday)
Cultural Activities Hall, Sha Tin Town Hall
* Guzheng Recital by Wong Ching-yee
8 pm, August 29 (Saturday)
Cultural Activities Hall, Tuen Mun Town Hall
* Zhongruan Recital by Fong Ka-po
8 pm, August 30 (Sunday)
Cultural Activities Hall, Tsuen Wan Town Hall
Priced at $60, tickets are now available from all URBTIX outlets. Half-price tickets are available for full-time students, senior citizens aged 60 or above and people with disabilities holding a concessionary card on a first come, first served basis.
For enquiries, please call 2694 2536 (Sha Tin), 2450 1105 (Tuen Mun) and 2414 0144 (Tsuen Wan). Telephone reservation can be made by calling 2734 9009.
End/Wednesday, July 8, 1998
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