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Ng Cheuk-yin

Over the past 40 years, Music Office has nurtured generations of musicians and music lovers. To commemorate this moment, Music Office has invited some outstanding alumni and former Music Administrators to share their precious moments at Music Office.

Ng Cheuk-yin (Former Sheng Principal of the Hong Kong Youth Chinese Orchestra)

Ng Cheuk-yin is a composer, the founder of a fusion band SIU2 and the Co-Artistic Director of the a cappella group “Yat Po Singers”. He has studied both Chinese and Western music. He composes music of different genres ranging from Chinese and Western orchestral music, a cappella theatre, Cantopop to crossover music. As a sheng performer and a keyboard player, Mr Ng often works with different orchestras. His musical journey began with the Music Office.

“I joined the Music Office at the age of nine, playing Chinese music and learning Western music as well. I was a sheng player. When I later formed a band with my friends and served as a keyboard player, I came up with the idea of bringing these two musical instruments together. It gave birth to SIU2.”

SIU2 is unique in its use of various Chinese and Western musical instruments. Mr Ng has devoted great efforts to include these musical instruments in the band. “When writing music, I hope that Chinese music players will feel comfortable with the music, while Western music players will know what I am trying to achieve. Each musical instrument has its uniqueness and tone colours. How to bring them together in a less awkward way requires a lot of efforts.”

“If I did not study sheng in the Music Office, my career development would definitely be different.” Mr Ng’s knowledge of music and creation dates back to the days when he received training from the Music Office. “The ensemble experience in the Music Office is crucial to me. Learning Chinese music and playing music with friends here has changed my views on Chinese music.” The music camp organised by the Music Office every year was one of his most favourite activities. “I met a lot of friends who studied Chinese music when I joined the Chinese orchestra in the music camp. As there were choirs, symphonic bands and string orchestras in the camp, I made friends with other musicians too. Apart from making new friends, I was also given the opportunity to have a thorough understanding of and access to large scale ensembles of different genres.”

His rich and diversified portfolio of compositions has been recognised with numerous awards, including the Hong Kong Arts Development Award 2011 - Award for Best Artist (Music) by the Hong Kong Arts Development Council; and the Best Serious Composition in CASH Golden Sail Music Awards by the Composers and Authors Society of Hong Kong for his theatrical choral work Rock Hard and his double sheng concerto Before the City Collapses in 2009 and 2013 respectively. Music not only realises his current achievements, but also gives impetus to his life. “More importantly, it drove me to move on along the musical path. This is not only for fulfilling my parents’ dream, but also for sharing the fun of learning with a group of friends who love music,” he concluded.
Ng Cheuk-yin

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