The Hong Kong Baptist University and the UIC orchestras performed a brilliant orchestral extravaganza at the Gala Concert on 20 November in the Great Hall of Zhuhai to celebrate UIC’s 10th Anniversary.
The concert was one of the most important cultural events amongst the numerous celebratory activities, according to UIC President Prof Ng Ching-Fai. He pointed out the importance of music arts in UIC’s Liberal Art Education and revealed that a new Division of Culture and Creativity will soon be established.
Prof Ng Ching-Fai at the opening address
Chairman of the UIC Council Prof Xu Jialu, his wife, and Mr Cheng Yan Kee, the chairman of the HKBU Council and the Court were amongst honoured guests who attended the concert.
The evening featured three parts of performances. Conducted by Volker Hartung, the UIC Orchestra began the melodious concert with Frühlingsstimmen (Voices of Spring) composed by Johann Strauss II. After that a string of performances were presented, including String Quartet “Serenade” and Kindersinfonie (Toy Symphony).
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| Volker Hartung and the UIC Orchestra |
After intermission conductor Victor Tam directed the HKBU Symphony Orchestra as they delivered the Light Cavalry Overture, Drum Dance and selections from The Nutcracker Suite.
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| Victor Tam with the HKBU Symphony Orchestra |
Professor Johnny M Poon and the HKBU Symphony Orchestra continued the tour de force with concerto soloists Lo Kwok-hin (trombone), Lee Ka-long (cello), Lai Ngok-man (Soprano) and Shum Wai-sze (piano).
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| Lo Kwok-hin |
Lee Ka-long |
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| Lai Ngok-man |
Shum Wai-sze |
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| Professor Johnny M Poon acknowledges the audience |
The two orchestras then performed Georges Bizet’s masterpiece Farandole from L’Arlesienne Suite No.2, also conducted by Victor Tam.
It seemed as though the concert was over, but then the orchestras returned several times for additional encore pieces, ending with the last piece, Happy Birthday, which had the whole audience cheering the decade-long establishment of UIC.
Some guests at the concert
Reporter: Zhang Jiadi (CELL, Year 4)
Photographers: Lin Zhiyan (IJ, Year 1), Lu Yu (IJ, Year 2), Feng Xifan (ACCT, Year 1), Simon Liu
Editor: Deen He
(from MPRO, with special thanks to the ELC)
