Tour to Thailand 2023
Date: 01/08/2023
1/8/2023-8/8/2023
The Hong Kong Children’s Choir Tour to Thailand 2023 was successfully held from 1 August to 8 August 2023. Led by our Music Director and Principal Conductor Ms Kathy Fok, members of Concert Choir, Senior A and Senior B gave a demonstration performance at the Closing Ceremony of the A Voyage of Songs International Choral Festival (AVOS) on 3 August 2023. First held in 2003, AVOS has hosted more than 7,000 choristers from southeast Asia, Africa and Europe since then. After that, HKCC had two concert performances in two prestigious universities in Bangkok.
Day 1 1/8
49 members gathered at Hong Kong International Airport at 6:30 pm and departed for the 8-day Tour. They arrived at Bangkok at midnight.
Day 2 2/8
After having lunch, members spent the afternoon in ICONSIAM, Bangkok’s first shopping mall with an indoor floating market, after which they headed to Asiatique The Riverfront, a beautiful night bazaar surrounded by colourful European-style architecture. After having a nice dinner, members returned to the hotel for rest and got ready for the performance on the next day.
Day 3 3/8
Members set off for CU Auditorium of Chulalongkorn University and rehearsed there for the demonstration performance at the Closing Ceremony of the A Voyage of Songs International Choral Festival. After the rehearsal, members attended the workshop to deepen their understanding of Thai culture and music traditions. Following the workshop was the final of the International Choral Competition, where members had a chance to enjoy the wonderful performances by choirs from all over the world. After the competition, members performed several Cantonese choral works including Dim Sum Song and Mei Lai Building, initiating cultural exchange with the competing teams through sharing music.
Day 4 4/8
Members paid a visit to the famous Grand Palace, where they discovered Bangkok’s history and culture and appreciated the craftsmanship and beauty of the magnificent architecture. They then visitied the palace’s Temple of Emerald Buddha, which is hailed as the country’s most iconic temple.
Day 5 5/8
After visiting the Science Centre for Education, members set off for Chulalongkorn University and had rehearsal for the concert in the evening.
The concert “HKCC in Chulalongkorn University” was again supported by The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Bangkok and Office of Art and Culture of Chulalongkorn University. Members performed a number of choral works including Autumn Night by Hong Kong composer Mr Joshua Chan, Butterflies in Love with Flowers by Hong Kong composer Mr Chan Pak To and The Shadow Dance of Sylva by the renowned Singaporean composer Mr Darius Lim. The great temporal and geographical variety of the selected repertoire is matched by the emotional versatility demonstrated in the music, gracing the concert with poetic lyricism and vibrancy. At the end of the concert, members performed a Thai song Sa-wa-dee, combining dance movements and singing to make the evening an enjoyable one for audiences.
Day 6 6/8
In the morning, members visited Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, one of the most popular floating markets in Thailand, before heading to the Long Neck Village. After lunch, they visited Ruang Kong Ong, where they learned about the local earthenware and participated in a jar-painting workshop.
Day 7 7/8
Supported by Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Bangkok, “HKCC X YAMP” Concert was held at Music Auditorium, College of Music, Mahidol Univeristy. The first half of the concert focused on HKCC’s choral works. Highlights of the concert included the two arranged pieces, Tunes From My Homeland and A-Tisket, A-Tasket, performed in collaboration with Young Artists Music Program (YAMP) Combo. The second half of the concert began with a string music performance by YAMP, which was followed by guitar, piano and choral performances.
At the end of the concert, HKCC performed You Never Walk Alone and Music, You are A Friend alongside YAMP Choir under the baton of director of YAMP Choir, Viskamol Chaiwanichsiri. We are also honoured to have our special guest Mr Lee Sheung Yuen, Director of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Bangkok as the guest accompanist. What a great joy to conclude the concert and the tour!
Not only did the concert foster international cultural exchange, but also widened the horizon of our members. This is truly an unforgettable experience for all our participating members!
Day 8 8/8
After breakfast, members set off to the airport and took the flight back to Hong Kong.
The Tour wouldn't have been successful without the generous support of HKETO Bangkok, Office of Art and Culture of Chulalongkorn University and College of Music of Mahidol Univeristy. Thanks are also due to the dedication of our Music Director and Principal Conductor Ms Kathy Fok, conductor Mr Dominic Lam and accompanist Mr Jason Liu, and all the touring staff. Last but not least, thanks to the participation of all Concert Choir, Senior A and Senior B members and the support of their parents. HKCC will continue to serve as the "Little Goodwill Singing Ambassadors" and strive to spread the message of love and peace in different parts of the world!
