First Anniversary for Hong Kong Brass Band
The Hong Kong Brass Band is looking forward to celebrating its first anniversary in December. Conductor Tak Chun Lai originally had the idea to form a band in 2020, but with the interruption of Covid, it was December2022 when over 30 brass and percussion players attended two open rehearsals. In February 2023 the first official rehearsal was held, followed soon after by an inaugural concert. Since then, progress has been maintained and recently the band gave an acclaimed concert which featured as its centrepiece, Nigel Clarke's evocative 'Earthrise'.
Tak Chun Lai had his first brass band experience as a student in Melbourne in Australia, and it had a profound effect on him. Then in 2015 he moved to New Zealand to become the principal tuba with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra and played with Wellington Brass, which was followed by becoming the Music Director of Auckland City Brass, before moving back to Hong Kong in 2020. He described the band’s progress, "I can't quite believe just how far we have come. When I moved back to Hong Kong in 2020 I just wanted to set up a brass band more than anything else, and although Covid-19 intervened it didn't stop me. Finally, things eased, and my Facebook request saw our first two open rehearsals in December 2022. The momentum since that concert has been incredible. In August we performed Oliver Waespi's 'The Raid' at the Hong Kong International Band Fair and then worked on 'Earthrise' as well as items such as 'Fire in the Blood' and Philip Harper's 'In Love for Me' for our second concert, which was also sold out!"
Tak Chun Lai added: "Musicians such as Nigel Clarke have been hugely supportive and can see that we are all so passionate as brass players and playing brass band music. We rehearse every Friday night using brass band instruments. We are hoping to raise enough money to travel to New Zealand next July to take part in the New Zealand Brass Band Championships. There is a great future for brass band music making in Hong Kong and we are determined to lead the way at home and abroad."
In December, the Hong Kong Brass Band (HKBB) is holding an open rehearsal for the public at Hong Kong iMusic Academy. The HKBB’s open rehearsal allows applicants to work with the conductor and our players in the section. Some Christmas tunes will be played in this open rehearsal.
Date: 9th December, 2023
Time: 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm
Venue: Hong Kong iMusic Academy (Shop G03, No. 33, Marble Road, North Point)
Free of charge. 50 place. First come, first served.
Deadline: 4th December, 2023.
Application link: https://forms.gle/kjciq9ybwbsEjJqo7
To find out more go to:
https://www.facebook.com/hongkongbrassband/
https://www.instagram.com/hongkongbrassband
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