Tour to Beijing and Dezhou 2023
Date: 16/07/2023
16 – 22 July 2023
The Hong Kong Children’s Choir (HKCC) had its first performance outside Hong Kong in five years. After presenting the Pre-tour Concert 2023 at Hong Kong City Hall on July 15, HKCC headed to Beijing for the China Chorus Conference and the 2023 National Youth Chorus Festival on July 16. We were staged at the Opening Concert at the theatre of China National Opera House. Members continued their tour to Dezhou for the third concert after giving two more concerts at the Beijing Festival.
Day 1 16/7
Members gathered at the Hong Kong International Airport at 5am and took a flight to Beijing, led by Mr Barnabas Fung, Vice-Chairman of Board of Directors, and Ms Kathy Fok, Music Director and Principal Conductor. After lunch, the choir visited the Beijing National Stadium and the Beijing National Aquatics Center, the major venues of 2008 Olympic Games. Members had dinner near the sightseeing spots before returning to the hotel to prepare for the concert the next day.
Day 2 17/7
Members went to the China National Opera House to rehearse for the Opening Concert of China Chorus Conference and 2023 National Youth Chorus Festival. That night, the choir brought Mountain Songs composed by Steve Ho, HKCC’s composer-in-residence, accompanied by various instruments including cello, violin and Djembe. The amazing performance received endless applause. This year’s festival marks the first in-person state-level choral music event since the pandemic, and HKCC is honored to be one of the demonstration choirs at the Opening Concert.
Day 3 18/7
The choir rehearsed at the concert hall of National Library Arts Center in the morning and participated a workshop after lunch. The workshop, hosted by Ms Kathy Fok Music Director and Principal Conductor, introduced HKCC’s missions and development of an excellent choir to the audience and choral conductors. In the second half of the workshop, an open rehearsal by the Concert Choir demonstrated warm-up exercises and singing skills under the guidance of conductors Ms Vivian Suen, Mr Dominic Lam and accompanist Ms Lin Ching. The workshop ended with a burst of applause, and the audience was thrilled to raise questions and taken photos with HKCC conductors.
The choir held the concert with Shenzhen Middle School Golden Bells Choir and Guangzhou Little Petrel Children’s Choir at night. HKCC delivered various works such as Rise Up, The Shadow Dance of Sylva and Some Kind of Love. The stunning performance of three choirs touched the hearts of the audience.
Day 4 19/7
Members visited Tiananmen Square in the morning, before heading to the Future Theatre to rehearse for the concert co-presented by HKCC, Popphone Singers and Beijing Chaoyang District Youth Activity Center Choir. A selection of Hong Kong songs including Mei Lai Building and Dim Sum Song was performed, showcasing our local culture and traditions to the audience. We were honored to have the Head of Cultural Exchange Division of HKSAR Beijing Office, Ms Ivy Lin, visit backstage to show her support for HKCC members.
Day 6 21/7
The trip to Dezhou’s renowned Dongziyuan Scenic Spot was cancelled due to heavy rain. Members took the chance to spend time at the shopping mall before staging the concert that evening. The final concert was held at Dezhou Grand Theatre, where members performed 13 Chinese and Western works, including a choral version of the famous Cantonese pop song by Sam Hui, Song of a Hong Kong Sojourner, arranged by Dr Steve Ho. Members sang the "Return to the Motherland" Medley to conclude the concert, gaining cheers and applause from the audience for their heartfelt performances. After the concert, Director General of the Dezhou Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, Mr Yu Jijun, Deputy Director-General of the Dezhou Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, Mr Li Baoguo, and representative of Dezhou Grand Theatre, Mr Xiao Peng invited Music Director and Principal Conductor Ms Kathy Fok, Assistant General Manager Ms Sarah Yu, Conductors Ms Vivian Suen and Mr Dominic Lam for a short meeting. They expressed their gratitude for HKCC’s visit, exchanged views and explored opportunities of enhanced collaboration.
Day 7 22/7
It was the end of the Tour. Members were ready to leave Dezhou and took a flight back to Hong Kong from Beijing Capital International Airport.
HKCC would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere appreciation to the organizers of the China Chorus Conference and 2023 National Youth Chorus Festival for their invitation and the opportunities provided to our members. The first tour after the pandemic faced numerous challenges, such as the spread of illness among members, but the Tour to Beijing and Dezhou 2023 was still a success. This was thanks to the full support of Vice-Chairman of Board of Directors Mr Barnabas Fung, Music Director and Principal Conductor Ms Kathy Fok, Conductors Ms Vivian Suen and Mr Dominic Lam, Accompanist Ms Lin Ching, and the touring staff. On Aug 1, Concert Choir continued its journey to Bangkok, Thailand with Senior A and Senior B.