Corporate News

Club sponsors HK Chinese Orchestra performance at New York's famed Carnegie Hall

21 September 2009

The Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra (HKCO) will be the first locally-based arts group to perform at New York's historic Carnegie Hall on 30 October, when they participate in the Ancient Paths, Modern Voices Festival.  The orchestra's New York Tour has been made possible by a donation of HK$2.12 million from The Hong Kong Jockey Club through its Charities Trust.

At a pre-tour open rehearsal for the media today (21 September), the Club's Executive Director, Charities, William Y Yiu said he hoped the HKCO's performance would help bring outstanding Chinese music to the international stage.  "The century-old Carnegie Hall is one of the most prestigious performance venues in the United States ," he commented.  "The HKCO has been invited by the Ministry of Culture to participate in this prestigious event, which will be a milestone for the local performing arts sector as a whole."

The HKCO is Hong Kong's only professional Chinese orchestra, Mr Yiu noted, and its repertoire covers full-scale contemporary pieces as well as traditional Chinese music.  "Over the years, the Orchestra has performed at many famous concert halls and in many leading international arts festivals with great acclaim," he said.  "By sponsoring their New York tour, we hope to help build Hong Kong 's artistic identity overseas and foster further cultural exchanges, enabling more people around the world to enjoy Chinese music."

The Ancient Paths, Modern Voices Festival, presented by the Carnegie Hall, will pay tribute to China's vibrant culture and celebrate its influence around the globe through different events and performances.  At the 30 October concert, the HKCO will perform four pieces under the leadership of Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Yan Huichang, one featuring renowned cellist Trey Lee.  The performance is expected to attract an audience of over 2,800.  The Orchestra will also organise two educational workshops for students and professionals on 28 and 29 October, which are expected to draw over 800 participants.

The Club has a long commitment to the development of local arts and culture, ranging from supporting the construction of arts and cultural facilities, to sponsoring programmes that nurture arts professionals and promoting arts education.  Examples include the Club's sponsorships of HKCO's European tour, The Hong Kong Philharmonic Society's overseas performances in Europe, South Korea and Beijing, and a donation to the Chinese Music Archive at The Chinese University of Hong Kong to preserve and promote traditional Chinese music.

125th Anniversary of The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is celebrating its 125th Anniversary in 2009/10 season.  Over the past 125 years, it has become one of Hong Kong's best known and respected organisations, providing the public with world-class sporting entertainment as well as being the city's major non-Government community benefactor, now donating more than HK$1 billion a year to charitable and community projects.  It has been a part of Hong Kong through good times and bad, sharing the city's growth and development with its people, and is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for future generations.

 

The Hong Kong Jockey Club's Executive Director, Charities, William Y Yiu hopes the Club's sponsorship of the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra's New York Tour will help enhance Hong Kong's cultural image internationally and let more people enjoy Chinese music.
Photo 1:
The Hong Kong Jockey Club's Executive Director, Charities, William Y Yiu hopes the Club's sponsorship of the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra's New York Tour will help enhance Hong Kong's cultural image internationally and let more people enjoy Chinese music.

Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, Yan Huichang (2nd from right), presents a drawing by Tam Poshek (1st from right) to The Hong Kong Jockey Club's Executive Director, Charities, William Y Yiu in gratitude for the Club's sponsorship of the orchestra's New York Tour.
Photo 2:
Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, Yan Huichang (2nd from right), presents a drawing by Tam Poshek (1st from right) to The Hong Kong Jockey Club's Executive Director, Charities, William Y Yiu in gratitude for the Club's sponsorship of the orchestra's New York Tour.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club's Executive Director, Charities, William Y Yiu shows support to Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, Yan Huichang (centre), renowned cellist Trey Lee (left) and the Orchestra.
Photo 3:
The Hong Kong Jockey Club's Executive Director, Charities, William Y Yiu shows support to Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, Yan Huichang (centre), renowned cellist Trey Lee (left) and the Orchestra.

Renowned cellist Trey Lee plays Zhuang Zhou's Dream with the Orchestra at today's open rehearsal for the media.
Photo 4:
Renowned cellist Trey Lee plays Zhuang Zhou's Dream with the Orchestra at today's open rehearsal for the media.

Photos 5/6: Guests play the Chinese hand drums to accompany the orchestra's rendition of The Yellow River Capriccio.
Photo 5:
Photos 5/6:
Guests play the Chinese hand drums to accompany the orchestra's rendition of The Yellow River Capriccio.

Photos 5/6: Guests play the Chinese hand drums to accompany the orchestra's rendition of The Yellow River Capriccio.
Photo 6

The Hong Kong Jockey Club's Executive Director, Charities, William Y Yiu is delighted to meet one of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Scholarship recipients Szeto Kin who will join the Orchestra to perform in the Carnegie Hall.
Photo 7:
The Hong Kong Jockey Club's Executive Director, Charities, William Y Yiu is delighted to meet one of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Scholarship recipients Szeto Kin who will join the Orchestra to perform in the Carnegie Hall.

 

 

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