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The Hong Kong Music Lover Chinese Orchestra will perform various Chinese orchestral pieces at a concert titled "The Great Evacuation" in October. Also performing will be artistic director cum principal conductor Ho Man-chuen, conductor Wai Sing-fat and sheng solo Cheng Ho-kwan.
Composed by Dr Tang Lok-yin and sponsored by the CASH Music Fund, this is the premier concert of "The Great Evacuation" and is the orchestra's first commissioned work. The orchestra will also perform "Princess Wencheng" with sheng solo Cheng Ho-kwan. Other pieces will include "Impressions of Taihang Mountain", "Ancient Capital", "Moon on the Great Wall", "Digital Hub" and "Guandong Overture".
Ho Man-chuen is both an acclaimed music educationist and conductor. In 1980 he joined the Music Office of Hong Kong as assistant music officer, later becoming music officer. Ho currently serves as an instructor of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA) and resident conductor of its Chinese orchestra. He is also artistic director of the Windpipe Chinese Music Ensemble and artistic director cum principal conductor of the Hong Kong Music Lover Chinese Orchestra.
Wai Sing-fat has conducted many orchestras and founded the Hong Kong Music Lover Chinese Orchestra (HKMLCO) in 1979 with a group of young musicians. Wai also conducted the HKMLCO for a CD recording which won a Golden Disc Award in 1992. On July 1, 1997, the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra played the first concert at the Reunification Music Festival as well as joining more than 20 orchestras in forming the Hong Kong United Chinese Orchestra. Wai was chosen as conductor and chairman of the combined orchestra's organisation committee.
Cheng Ho-kwan is currently studying music at the HKAPA, majoring in sheng under Cheng Tak-wai with a minor in Chinese percussion under Yim Hok-man. He has also studied the sheng under Hau Chi-yeung and Leung Yan-chiu. In 2012, he was awarded "Young Music Maker" by the Radio Television Hong Kong and participated in recording video and CD releases. Cheng is currently principal sheng player at the Hong Kong Youth Chinese Orchestra. Over the years he has been an active figure in the music scene and has played at concerts in Beijing, Nanjing, Wuxi, Yunnan, Taiwan and Japan.
The Hong Kong Music Lover Chinese Orchestra was established in 1979 and, as well as giving regular concerts in Hong Kong, has become a driving force in Chinese music. The orchestra participated in special concerts organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and Hong Kong 2009 East Asia Games and has performed in Singapore, Taiwan, the United States, Malaysia, Australia and other places. The orchestra has made various recordings including the Golden Disc Award winner "Fishermen's Song of the East Sea".
"The Great Evacuation" by the Hong Kong Music Lover Chinese Orchestra is presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. It will be staged at 8pm on October 5 (Saturday) at the Auditorium, Tsuen Wan Town Hall. Tickets priced at $140, $120 and $100 are now available at all URBTIX outlets, on the Internet and by credit card telephone bookings. Half-price tickets are available for senior citizens aged 60 or above, people with disabilities and their minders, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) recipients (limited tickets for CSSA recipients available on a first-come, first-served basis). A maximum discount of 20 per cent is offered for group booking packages. Please refer to the programme leaflet for details.
For programme enquiries, please call 2268 7321 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/ce/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/program_333.html . For ticketing enquiries, call 2734 9009; for credit card telephone booking, call 2111 5999. Internet bookings are available at www.urbtix.hk.
Ends/Thursday, September 5, 2013
Issued at HKT 10:30
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