More than music: Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra strikes a chord across generations

For nearly five decades, the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra (HKCO) has worked tirelessly to introduce its music to a broader audience, aiming to make Chinese music less formal and more accessible. Executive director Celina Chin Man-wah emphasized the orchestra's commitment to ensuring Chinese music remains relevant and engaging for future generations.

This commitment includes creating new works, experimenting with various musical styles, and developing programs to attract younger audiences. "We cannot rely on the old repertoire alone," Chin stated. "New works are essential if Chinese music is to keep developing and speak to future audiences."

Over the years, the HKCO has commissioned more than 2,400 new pieces and collaborated with composers and artists from Hong Kong, mainland China, and beyond. Their international engagements have also played a significant role in bringing Chinese orchestral music to wider audiences. Chin recounted an invitation to perform at Beijing’s National Centre for the Performing Arts and highlighted how overseas presenters have sought programs featuring contemporary Chinese music. Such invitations underscore the orchestra's contributions to creating and promoting new repertoire.

Chin joined the HKCO in 1996, bringing experience in arts management from theatre, film festivals, and arts programming. This background proved invaluable in her role as executive director. Beyond the concert hall, the orchestra sees Chinese music as a unifying force, encouraging diverse communities to participate. In 2003, the HKCO launched the Hong Kong Drum Festival following the Sars outbreak, aiming to boost morale.

This festival has since included participants of various ages and backgrounds, from children to older adults and individuals from rehabilitation organizations.

The orchestra also engages with young people in correctional institutions, teaching them percussion and performing for their families. Chin noted that these programs emphasize more than just music; they teach valuable lessons in communication, collaboration, and empathy. She advocates for early exposure to music, regardless of whether children pursue professional careers.

Chin also recognizes the growing range of career opportunities in the arts, where young performers might eventually transition into teaching, composition, music therapy, or other creative fields. Some independent artists build their careers outside traditional institutions, leveraging the opportunities provided by organizations like the HKCO.

The orchestra's work extends to nurturing new talent, offering young composers the chance to have their compositions performed by professional musicians. This exposure allows young composers to gain practical insights into how their work is received and to exchange ideas directly with performers. Chin emphasized that the value of art cannot always be measured by immediate popularity or revenue.

"Art cannot always be assessed by whether something is popular straight away," she said. "Artistic development takes patience, and audiences need time to discover work with greater depth." As a finalist for the Spirit of Culture Award in this year’s Spirit of Hong Kong Awards, the HKCO continues to inspire and enrich communities through its unique contributions to music and culture.