At this year's Hong Kong Inter-School Choir Concert, students sang an updated version of the Cantonese musical "Like. So?" It showed the importance of chasing your dreams.
Eighty students from 50 primary and secondary schools took part in the performance, organised by the Hong Kong Inter-School Choral Festival (HKICF).
The musical's plot follows Emma, whose hopes are held back by her disapproving mother. But when she gains the power to read her parents' thoughts, she tries to use her new abilities to follow her dreams.
The choir's voices carry the musical story from sad moments to funny scenes.
A future career
Bronson Lau, one of the performers, says his journey reflects the show's story, as he is deciding whether to pursue his passion for singing or choose a career as a teacher.
"Before, I was unsure about which direction I should go in. Should I go into music or education?" explains Bronson. "But after taking part in HKICF, I realised I love music and want it to become my future career."
Kelvin Lau, HKICF's artistic director, hopes that the choir can help students to become leaders at their own schools.
"I see some really gifted students. If given the right training, they can become leaders of their own school choirs," he says. "If you have a gift for music, it needs to be nurtured, and that is how you develop confidence."
Training their voices
To prepare for the concert, students met weekly for rehearsals where they received vocal training.
Felix Shuen, the conductor, says that it was tough to plan the rehearsals because students came from different schools with different schedules.
"We didn't always have everybody," he says. "Some people have exams, and others haven't been on vacation for a very long time, so you can't make them stay for the entire holiday."
Bronson had to balance rehearsals with his studies, but he also faced the difficulty of working with a new group of people.
"At first, coming to this choir was the biggest challenge, since I was used to practising with people in my school," he says. But after some time, he began to enjoy interacting with new people.
What was his favourite part of the performance? Bronson describes a scene where the characters fight for their seats in a game of musical chairs. "The lyrics depict the workers in Hong Kong. It reflects the competitive nature of the workforce," he says.
Bronson encourages more pupils to join HKICF's activities. "It is worth joining this choir. You will meet a lot of new friends, and it is a good opportunity for music lovers to learn," he says.
Fun facts!
Singing is not only fun, it’s good exercise for your heart and lungs. Because of the way we breathe, it’s much easier to sing while standing up than sitting down!
Quick questions
- Why was it difficult to plan the choir's rehearsals?
- What is Kelvin Lau's advice for talented singers?
- Who is the best singer or musician among your friends and family?
