The UIC Orchestra’s “2013 Music - Love Concert” was staged at UIC on the evening of 10 December. The level of musical talent was duly expressed through a wide repertoire, including Western classical music and Chinese famous compositions.
UIC President Prof Ng Ching-Fai revealed that an orchestra of high standards is indispensable for a liberal arts college, and that UIC shall begin the provision of music minors in the future.
The UIC Orchestra conductor Prof Lai Ho-Sang
Under the guidance of orchestra conductor Prof Lai Ho-Sang over 50 students performed interpretations of rich and varied repertoire, including Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake, Chopin’s Nocturne, Pachelbel’s Canon in D Major, Georges Bizet’s Carmen, and Bach’s Concerto for 2 Violins, Strings and Continuo in D Minor during the two-hour long concert. Other pieces were Chinese classical works like Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto, and soundtracks from popular movies like Schindler’s List and Castle in the Sky.
The UIC Orchestra played these masterpieces with a full ensemble, string quartet, woodwind quintet, brass quintet, wind band, or violin concerto.
The half-hour long Buttery Lovers Violin Concerto was certainly the focal rehearsal for the orchestra this semester. According to the concert’s artistic director Ms Sandra Lau, this was the first time the orchestra had performed such a long track. Having little time to rehearse, they overcame difficulties together and brought about an excellent performance in the evening.
Before the show, Year Three student from the Cinema and Television Programme Liu Yixuan, the first head of the UIC Orchestra, said: “I remember around this time two years ago, the UIC Orchestra debuted during the performance component of Whole Person Education arts and culture courses. Only twenty-something people sat in a semi-circle playing UIC’s first symphony: Mozart’s Symphony No 40 in G Minor.
“But today, as you see, we are holding a concert. Ms Sandra Lau has formed, nurtured and supported the Orchestra since the very beginning, and President Ng Ching-Fai has attended each and every of our performances. They can both attest to each step of our orchestra’s growth.
“Last month, the UIC Orchestra received invitations to perform in Poland and the United States. Such opportunities are certainly hard to come by. Although we haven’t decided to make a trip, it’s enough to prove that the Orchestra has matured.”
After the conclusion of the concert, President Ng Ching-Fai praised the efforts and talents of the students. He also commented on the importance of music for a liberal arts education.
President Ng Ching-Fai praises the efforts and talents of the students
“For UIC, as a liberal arts college endorsing whole person education, an orchestra of high standards is indispensable. Music minor courses shall be made available at UIC in the future, and may gradually be developed into music majors; a school of music may be established, too. A larger and more competent concert hall will be built on the new campus,” said President Ng.
Founded in 2011, the UIC Orchestra has currently over 50 members and mainly practices Western classical pieces. The orchestra’s management team was formally established in May 2013, and is responsible for carrying out various development affairs.
Reporter: Chiu Wen Chin
Photographer: Hou Liangyu
Editor: Deen He
(from MPRO, with special thanks to the ELC)
