Mini-Concert 2025 (Percussion, Harmonica, Handbell)

On the Sundays of the past two weeks, HKCC Percussion, Harmonica, and Handbell Classes held their annual concerts on December 14 and 21 at the West Kowloon Centre Recital Hall and Homantin Centre.

The Percussion mini-concert was led by HKCC tutors: Minnie Chau, Wu On-wai and Cherry Cheng. Members from P2 to P5 classes presented seven wonderful programmes. In addition to glockenspiel, metallophone and xylophone, the performances also featured unique-sounding instruments such as marimba and vibraphones. Various unpitched percussion instruments, including bongos, wind chimes, and shakers, were incorporated into some performances, adding rich layers to the repertoire. With tacit coordination, the members successively performed the warm and bright Summer Sunshine, Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, adapted from the ballet excerpt of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker, and an energetic adapted quintet version of Stars and Stripes Forever. Their seamless transitions between diverse styles earned sustained applause from the audience.   

Led by world harmonica champion tutor Gordon Lee and accompanist Corina Lin, the newly launched Harmonica Programme held its first mini-concert this year.  The concert kicked off with Turkish March performed by 12 members, whose lively and brisk melody instantly immersed the audience in the atmosphere. The repertoire covered a variety of styles, including a warm medley of Joe Hisaishi’s soundtracks for Hayao Miyazaki’s animations and Do Re Mi from the movie The Sound of Music. At the end of the concert, 48 members jointly presented a harmonica ensemble of When the Saints Go Marching In, and their devoted performance won enthusiastic applause from the audience.   

The Handbell mini concert was led by tutor Mylthie Wong. It featured members from the Elementary Handchime, Handbell B, and Handbell A classes. The concert began with the most experienced class, Handbell A, performing four pieces, including Celebrate with Joy, demonstrating skilled techniques and tacit coordination. Following this, the Elementary Handchime and Handbell B classes each performed four pieces, fully showcasing their practice over the past year. In addition to group performances, the concert also featured duets performed by two graduating members, fully demonstrating the diverse facets of handbell music. At the end, all members gathered on stage to perform the classic Christmas song Jingle Bells as a grand ensemble. The clear and cheerful bell sounds filled the centre, and the warm festive atmosphere touched every audience present.   

Each of the three instrumental programme mini-concert had its own highlights, from the diverse styles of the Percussion Classes, the debut of the Harmonica Classes, to the warmth and joy of the Handbell Classes, providing a stage for the members to showcase their learning achievements while allowing attending parents to witness the members’ growth and breakthroughs in music.