Dear Patrons

To avoid undue disturbance to the performers and other members of the audience, please switch o! the beeping devices on your alarm watches, pagers and mobile phones before the performance.We also forbid eating and drinking, as well as unauthorized photography, audio or video recordings during the performance.Thank you for your co-operation.

Welcome to the 13th Anniversary Concert of the Hong Kong Youth Choir. In writing this foreword, I took some time to re"ect on memories of the past year that have to do with both myself and HKYC.

Since its establishment in 1998, our Choir has seen many changes in the past 13 years. We have said our share of goodbyes to old members, but we have also been welcoming new faces every year. The past year has been a particularly eventful one for the Choir, and the concerts and performances will surely serve as valuable experience for our members. It is my belief that the Choirs spirit can only prevail through the dedication and perseverance in choral music-making of our talented members.

Thus it is with this Annual Concert that we come to a conclusion of a year of vibrant programmes. Our selection tonight is as lively as ever, drawing from music of di!erent genre, style, and language. The second half of the concert will feature the Hong Kong premire of John Leavitts Missa Festiva.

Finally I would like to dedicate one of the pieces we are performing tonight, All That Hath Life & Breath Praise Ye the Lord, to all of us. May we always be thankful of what we have today, and may we learn to treasure those around us and be courageous in exploring uncharted territory.

Thank you for your support of HKYC these 13 years. I hope you will enjoy our performance tonight, and I look forward to seeing you all in many more to come.

Jason TangPresident, Hong Kong Youth Choir

Foreword

Bell ChorusFrom Pagliacci

Ruggiero Leoncavallo

O Schne NachtMusic: Johannes Brahms

Text: Georg Friedrich Daumer

Lobe den HerrenMusic:Hugo Distler

Text: Joachim Neander

Erev Shel ShoshanimMusic: Josef Hadar

Text: Moshe Dor

The LambMusic: John Tavener

Text: William Blake

A Ceremony of Carols2. Wolcum Yole!

3. There is no Rose5. As dew in Aprille

6. This little Babe9. Spring Carol10. Deo Gracias

Music: Benjamin Britten

Text: Gerald Bullett

Soprano Solo: Kaye Ip

Alto Solo: Sarah Wong

All That Hath Life & Breath Praise Ye the Lord!Music: Ren Clausen

Text adopted from Psalms 96 & 22

Soprano Solo: Kathy Tang

Pianist: Cynthia Chan

Intermission

Programme

William Tell OvertureGioachino Rossini

Brass Quintet No. 1 (Mvt. 1)Victor Ewald

Canzona per Sonare No. 4Giovanni Gabrieli

(Hong Kong Premire )

KyrieGloriaCredo

Festival SanctusAgnus Dei

Missa Festiva was begun in 1988 with the commission of a festival piece for the International Choral Symposium in Kansas City. The Latin text, time-honored through centuries, is embraced for its richness and serves as a vehicle for excellent choral singing. Missa Festiva combines lyrical melody, touches of counterpoint, and an often brilliant piano accompaniment in this #rst setting of the mass by composer, John Leavitt. It is also a joyful work to be performed around Christmas time.

Brass Quintet Arrangement: So Ka Wai

Hong Kong Youth Choir

Rehearsal Pianist: Cynthia Chan

Brass Quintet Fantastic Five Brass

Soprano Solo: Karen Ka

Alto Solo: Gloria Tsang

Tenor Solo: Cheung Tsz Fung

Conductor: Florence Cheng

We Wish You A Merry ChristmasTranditional

Programme

Missa FestivaMusic by John Leavitt

Established in 1998, HKYC is one of the leading choirs in Hong Kong renowned for her all-encompassing repertoire and dedication to championing local and Asian premiere performances of choral works by local and overseas composers.

Under the directorship of her four Music Director Laureates, Mr. Patrick Chiu, Mr. Apollo Wong, Ms. Josephine Li and Mr. Felix Yeung, and that of the current Music Director Miss Florence Cheng, HKYC has produced and performed an expansive repertoire including no less than 9 Hong Kong or even Asian premieres of major contemporary choral works including Paul McCartneys Liverpool Oratorio in 2002, John Rutters Magni#cat in 2003 and Mass of the Children in 2005, Andrew Lloyd Webbers Requiem in 2006 , Eric Whitacre's Cloudburst in 2007, Morten Lauridsen's Lux Aeterna in 2008, Howard Goodall's Missa Aedis Christi in 2009, Robert Rays Gospel Mass in 2010 and John Rutters The Sprig of Thyme in 2011.

Through her own productions of regular concerts and appearances as guests with other esteemed local choirs and orchestras, HKYC has her repertoire ever expanding with works including J. S. Bach's St. John's Passion and B Minor Mass, Bernsteins Chichester Psalms, Brahms Ein Deutsches Requiem, Faure's Requiem, Handel's Messiah, Haydn's The Creation, Mahlers Symphony No. 8, Proko#evs Alexander Nevsky, Schuberts Mass in G and Vivaldis Gloria in D RV 589.

HKYC has collaborated with many leading local artists including renowned choral conductors Mr. Raymond Fu, Dr. Michael Ryan, Ms. Carmen Koon, Ms. Kathy Fok; renowned sopranos Ms. Katusha Tsui-Fraser, Ms. Yuki Ip, Ms. Melody Sze and organists Mr. Peter Yue and Ms. Wong Kin-yue.

In recognition of her contribution to serving the community with quality music, in December 2001, HKYC was featured in a 60-minute programme broadcast on RTHK Radio 4. In December 2004, HKYC was once again featured on RTHK 4 in a 60-minute programme of Christmas carols. HKYC has also been invited to perform at the annual Christmas Concert in the Park 2009 and 2010 organized by RTHK Radio 4.

Demonstrating her commitment to nourishing local young musicians, HKYC strives to promote new commissions and collaborations with young local artists. HKYC has her own Resident Composer and Resident Artist. To this day, HKYC has premiered 5 works by her Resident Composer, Mr. Raymond Cheng, including the popularly received choral miniature About Going to a Restaurant for Dimsums. Being the Resident Artist, Mr. Alex Tam continues his generous regular appearance in HKYCs own concerts amidst his numerous professional commitments as one of the most sought after leading young tenors in Hong Kong.

As part of her dedication to educating and nourishing young music talents, HKYC holds master classes and workshops in her annual Summer Camp cum Concerts. Throughout the years, under the insightful guidance of well-known conductor and vocalists including Ms. Carmen Koon, Ms. Katusha Tsui-Fraser, Dr. Sam Lau, Mr. Alex Tam and Ms. Melody Sze, members had the invaluable opportunity to brush up their singing skills.

In celebration of her 5th Anniversary in August 2004, HKYC laid a milestone in the world premiere production of Boys & Girls - Musical AIDS, an original Cantonese musical about AIDS by her Resident Composer Mr. Raymond Cheng. The 2-hour musical ran with critical acclaim for two evenings at the Hong Kong City Hall Theatre to raise funds for the bene#t of AIDS Concern.

With around 30 young and energetic members gifted with musical talents, HKYC has been enriching Hong Kong's cultural life passionately with quality music.

As a registered non-pro#t making charitable organization advised by a Board of Advisors comprising of renowned #gures including Ms. Barbara Fei, Dr. Richard Tsang, Professor Daniel Law and Mr. Kenneth Lee, HKYC has over the years contributed her musical talents in organizing fund raising concerts almost every year for the bene#t of other fellow charitable organizations including AIDS Concern, Ebenezer School for the Visually Impaired, Oxfam, Save the Children Hong Kong, St. Johns Cathedrals HIV Education Centre and Helpers for Domestic Helpers, Lifeline Express, UNICEF (for the victims of the Tsunami in South Asia), and Sowers Action (for the rebuilding e!ort after the Sichuan earthquake).

Hong Kong Youth Choir

Established in 1998, HKYC is one of the leading choirs in Hong Kong renowned for her all-encompassing repertoire and dedication to championing local and Asian premiere performances of choral works by local and overseas composers.

Under the directorship of her four Music Director Laureates, Mr. Patrick Chiu, Mr. Apollo Wong, Ms. Josephine Li and Mr. Felix Yeung, and that of the current Music Director Miss Florence Cheng, HKYC has produced and performed an expansive repertoire including no less than 9 Hong Kong or even Asian premieres of major contemporary choral works including Paul McCartneys Liverpool Oratorio in 2002, John Rutters Magni#cat in 2003 and Mass of the Children in 2005, Andrew Lloyd Webbers Requiem in 2006 , Eric Whitacre's Cloudburst in 2007, Morten Lauridsen's Lux Aeterna in 2008, Howard Goodall's Missa Aedis Christi in 2009, Robert Rays Gospel Mass in 2010 and John Rutters The Sprig of Thyme in 2011.

Through her own productions of regular concerts and appearances as guests with other esteemed local choirs and orchestras, HKYC has her repertoire ever expanding with works including J. S. Bach's St. John's Passion and B Minor Mass, Bernsteins Chichester Psalms, Brahms Ein Deutsches Requiem, Faure's Requiem, Handel's Messiah, Haydn's The Creation, Mahlers Symphony No. 8, Proko#evs Alexander Nevsky, Schuberts Mass in G and Vivaldis Gloria in D RV 589.

HKYC has collaborated with many leading local artists including renowned choral conductors Mr. Raymond Fu, Dr. Michael Ryan, Ms. Carmen Koon, Ms. Kathy Fok; renowned sopranos Ms. Katusha Tsui-Fraser, Ms. Yuki Ip, Ms. Melody Sze and organists Mr. Peter Yue and Ms. Wong Kin-yue.

In recognition of her contribution to serving the community with quality music, in December 2001, HKYC was featured in a 60-minute programme broadcast on RTHK Radio 4. In December 2004, HKYC was once again featured on RTHK 4 in a 60-minute programme of Christmas carols. HKYC has also been invited to perform at the annual Christmas Concert in the Park 2009 and 2010 organized by RTHK Radio 4.

Demonstrating her commitment to nourishing local young musicians, HKYC strives to promote new commissions and collaborations with young local artists. HKYC has her own Resident Composer and Resident Artist. To this day, HKYC has premiered 5 works by her Resident Composer, Mr. Raymond Cheng, including the popularly received choral miniature About Going to a Restaurant for Dimsums. Being the Resident Artist, Mr. Alex Tam continues his generous regular appearance in HKYCs own concerts amidst his numerous professional commitments as one of the most sought after leading young tenors in Hong Kong.

As part of her dedication to educating and nourishing young music talents, HKYC holds master classes and workshops in her annual Summer Camp cum Concerts. Throughout the years, under the insightful guidance of well-known conductor and vocalists including Ms. Carmen Koon, Ms. Katusha Tsui-Fraser, Dr. Sam Lau, Mr. Alex Tam and Ms. Melody Sze, members had the invaluable opportunity to brush up their singing skills.

In celebration of her 5th Anniversary in August 2004, HKYC laid a milestone in the world premiere production of Boys & Girls - Musical AIDS, an original Cantonese musical about AIDS by her Resident Composer Mr. Raymond Cheng. The 2-hour musical ran with critical acclaim for two evenings at the Hong Kong City Hall Theatre to raise funds for the bene#t of AIDS Concern.

With around 30 young and energetic members gifted with musical talents, HKYC has been enriching Hong Kong's cultural life passionately with quality music.

As a registered non-pro#t making charitable organization advised by a Board of Advisors comprising of renowned #gures including Ms. Barbara Fei, Dr. Richard Tsang, Professor Daniel Law and Mr. Kenneth Lee, HKYC has over the years contributed her musical talents in organizing fund raising concerts almost every year for the bene#t of other fellow charitable organizations including AIDS Concern, Ebenezer School for the Visually Impaired, Oxfam, Save the Children Hong Kong, St. Johns Cathedrals HIV Education Centre and Helpers for Domestic Helpers, Lifeline Express, UNICEF (for the victims of the Tsunami in South Asia), and Sowers Action (for the rebuilding e!ort after the Sichuan earthquake).

The Sprig of Thyme

Michael Ryan

Florence Chi Suen Cheng received her Master of Music in Choral Conducting at San Francisco State University, where she was studying choral conducting with Dr. Joshua Habermann, having voice lessons with Catherine Cook in the San Francisco Conservatory of Music as principle study, and being a teaching assistant of class ear training and musicianship under instruction of Professor David Xiques. Graduated with a B.A. in Music at Hong Kong Baptist University, Cheng was studying classical singing with Ms Siu-Kwan Chan.

Cheng was the conductor and vocal coach of San Francisco State University Womens Chorus, a member of San Francisco Symphony Chorus, a member and assistant conductor of Symphony Silicon Valley Chorale and Symphony Silicon Valley Singers. Cheng is also a member of Chorus America and American Choral Directors Association (ACDA).

In June 2007, she has received scholarship for the national Chorus America Conference 2007 in Los Angeles. She is an active choral director who visits di!erent choirs including San Francisco Girls Chorus, San Francisco Choral Artist, Chanticleer, and Crystal Childrens Choir.

Cheng is currently the music director of Hong Kong Youth Choir, conductor of Hong Kong Childrens Choir, conductor of Hong Kong Baptist University Mixed Choir and conductor of other school and community choirs, with diverse repertoire including standard choral works, choral-orchestral work and opera, such as Palestrinas Motets, Mendelssohns Elijah, Bizets Carmen, Duru"es Requiem, Gounods St. Cecilia Mass, Brittens Five Flowers Songs, Or! s Carmina Burana, and Steiners Cruci#xion. She also actively performs as a soprano.

Dr. Joshua Habermann Catherine Cook

Ear Training and Musicianship

American Choral Directors Association Chorus AmericaChorus America Conference

San Francisco Girls Chorus San Francisco Choral Artist Chanticleer Crystal Childrens Choir

Florence Cheng

Music Director

Cynthia Chan earned a Master of Music Degree in Piano Accompanying from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where she studied with Timothy Bach. She also holds a Master of Music Degree in Piano Performance from the Conservatory, where she studied with Mack McCray; and received Bachelor of Arts (Music) Degree from The Chinese University of Hong Kong, where she studied with Cheung-yu Mo. She is a recipient of LLWW Foundation Scholarship, SFCM Scholarship, Walter Guttmann Piano Scholarship, Janet Rose and Walter Rose Piano Scholarship, C.F. Hu Postgraduate Memorial Scholarship, and Hong Kong Austrian Educational Foundation Scholarship.

During her residence at the United States, Cynthia has been on sta! accompanist for San Francisco Conservatory of Music, San Francisco Ballet School, Bay Area Summer Opera Theatre Institute, and The Academy of Ballet in San Francisco. She attended Aspen Music Festival as a Collaborative Artist, and has been o%cial accompanist for a number of young artist competitions and master classes.

Currently based in Hong Kong, Cynthia is now a rehearsal accompanist for Hong Kong Youth Choir and Yuen Long Childrens Choir; and a part-time Dance Accompanist at The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts.

Cynthia Chan

Pianist

Fantastic Five Brass

Fantastic Five is a Brass Quintet formed by a group of enthusiastic brass students from the Hong Kong Baptist University. Originally, the #ve of us did not know each other, but brass music brought us together. Now we have regular rehearsals every week on di!erent kinds of repertoire, not only practicing the music, but also building up our sprit.

Fantastic Five Fantastic means fantastic music is going to be made by us. Five means we #ve getting together to make music for you.

Bell Chorus

Andiam! Andiam!Din Don Suona vespero, ragazzee garzonA coppieal tempio cia!rettiamDin Don, diaaiai culmini il sol vuol baciar.Le mamme cia-docchiano, attenti, compar!Din Don, tuto irradiasi di lucee damor!

Mai vecchi sorvegliano gliarditi Amador!

OSchneNacht

OschneNachtam Himmel mrchenhaft erglnzt der Mond in seiner ganzen Pracht;Um ihn der kleinen Sterne liebliche Genossen-schaft.Es schimmert hell der Tau am grnen Halm;

Mit Macht im Fliederbusche schlgt die Nachti-gall.Der Knabe schleicht zu seiner Liebsten sacht.O schne Nacht!

Lobe den Herren

Lobe den Herren, den mchtigen Knig der EhrenMeine geliebete Seele, das ist mein Begehren.

Kommet zu Hauf, Psalter und Harfen, wacht auf!Lasset die Musicam hren.

Lobe den Herren, der alles so herrlich regieret,Der dich auf Adelers Fittichen sicher gefhret, Der dich erhlt,Wie es dir selber gefllt;Hast du nicht dieses verspret?

Bell Chorus

Lets go! Lets go!Ding dong, vespers sounds, girls and guys,To church in coupes theyre rushing,Ding dong, already the sun has descended.Our mothers are watching us, be careful, friend!Ding dong, everything shines with the light of love!But the elders are watching those daring lovers!

OLovelyNightTranslation by Emily Ezust

O lovely night! In the heavens, the moon gleams magically in all its splendour; About it, the sweet comradeship of tiny stars. The dew glimmers brightly

on the green blades of grass; with great power,the nightingale sings out in the elder-bush; the young man steals quietly to his sweetheart O lovely night!

Praise Ye the Lord

Praise to the Lord, the powerful kind of all honors!O my beloved soul, that is my desire.

Come to the heap! Psalms and harps awaken!Let the praises be sung!

Praise to the Lord, all regard him so wonderfully.He secures you under his wings and sustains you.He receives you, as it is pleasing to you. Have you not felt this?

Lyrics Translation

Erev Shel Shoshanim

Erev shel shoshanimNitzeh na el habustanMor besamim ulevonaLeraglech miftan.

Layla yored le'atVeru'ach shoshan noshvahHavah elchash lach shir balatZemer shel ahava

Shachar homa yonahRoshech maleh t'lalimPich el haboker shoshanaEktefenu li.

Layla yored le'atVeru'ach shoshan noshvahHavah elchash lach shir balatZemer shel ahava

Missa Festiva

Kyrie

Kyrie eleison, (Alleluia)Christe eleison,Kyrie eleison, (Alleluia)

Gloria

Gloria in excelsis Deoet in terra pax hominibus bonae voluntatis.Laudamus te. Benedicimus te.Adoramus te. Glori#camus te.Gratias agimus tibi propter magnam gloriam tuam,

Evening of RosesTranslation by Sara Kramer

Evening of rosesLet us go out to the groveMyrrh, fragrant spices, and incenseAre a threshold for your feet

Night falls slowlyAnd the wind of roses is blowingLet me whisper you a song, secretlyA song of love

Dawn, a dove is cooingYour head is #lled with dewYour mouth is a rose unto the morningI will pick it for myself

Night falls slowlyAnd the wind of roses is blowingLet me whisper you a song, secretlyA song of love

Festival Mass

Kyrie

Lord have mercy, (Alleluia)Christ have mercy,Lord have mercy, (Alleluia)

Gloria

Glory to God in the highest,And on earth peace to men of good will.We praise you. We bless you.We adore you. We glorify you.We give thanks to youbecause of your great glory.

Lyrics Translation

Credo

Credo in unum Deum, Patrem omnipotentem, factorem cli et terr,Et in unum Dominum Iesum Christum, Filium Dei unigenitumEt in Spiritum Sanctum, Dominum et vivi#cantem

Festival Sanctus

Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus,Dominus Deus Sabaoth.Hosanna Deo, Hosanna in excelsis.Benedictus qui venitin nomine Domini Dei.Pleni sunt coeli et terragloria tua.

Agnus Dei

Agnus Dei,qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis.Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis.Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona nobis pacem. Amen.

Credo

I believe in one God,The Father Almighty,maker of heaven and earth,And I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,the only begotten Son of God,And I believe in the Holy Spirit,the Lord and giver of life.

Festival Sanctus

Holy, Holy, Holy,Lord God of Hosts.Hosanna to God, Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is He who comesin the name of the Lord God.Heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Agnus Dei

Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, grant us peace. Amen.

Lyrics Translation

Music Director Florence Cheng

Resident Conductor Christopher Cheng

Resident Composer Raymond Cheng

Resident Artist Alex Tam

Music Advisors

Ms. Barbara Fei President, The Hong Kong Choirs Federation

Prof. Daniel Law Dean of the Faculty of Arts, The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Dr. Richard Tsang President of the Internation Society for Contemporary Music

Mr. Kenneth Lee President of the Hong Kong Youth Choir (1998-2006)

The Hong Kong Youth Choir

www.hkyc.org

Executive Committee

President : Jason Tang Vice President : Sarah Wong Honorary Treasurer : Herbert Tam Treasurer : CP So External A"airs Secretary : May Chan Internal A"airs Secretary : Heusen Yip Membership Secretary : Alan Lau Concert Manager : Tommy Chan Promotion Secretary : Susan Chan Recreation Secretary : Peony Leung Librarian : Kathy Tang

The Hong Kong Youth Choir

www.hkyc.org

Members

Soprano Chan Sin Man Susan Fok Yuen Kei, Vivien Hagler, AdeleIp Wing Ki, Kaye Ka Yik Kang, Karen Lai Sin Sze, Anna Lam Hok Nin, Helena Leung Nga Lee, Lavender* Tang Ho Tung, Kathy Ting Wing Kei, Pearl

Alto Chan Tak May, May Ho Hiu Chong, Valerie Lam Bik Yan, Ada* Lau Chun Man, Lorraine Tsang Chor Kiu, Gloria Wong Oi Man, Oimanly Wong Yim Ting, Sarah

* Part leader

Tenor Cheung Tsz Fung* Lau Wai Lun, Alan Li Sai Ting, Wayne Peck, Marcus De Quan So Chin Pang, CP Wong Lui Kwan, Alexander

Bass Chan Tsz Chung, Tommy Cheng Hoi Chung, Raymond Cheung Ka Sang, Artus* Hung Yiu Tung, Aric Lee Chung Ming, Bernard Tang Pak Yau, Jason Yuen Yen Ping, Jonathan

Trumpet Kyan Wong Kai Chun Ocean Yue Ho Yeung

Horn Wilson Siu Hin Chau

Trombone Michael Lau Ka Shing

Tuba Rudy Wong Pak Wai

The Very Reverend Andrew Chan

Mrs Viola Ip

Sta! of St. John's Cathedral

Mr Allain Lau

Ms Kannie Cheng

Mr Joseph Ho

Mr So Ka Wai

Acknowledgements

Fantastic Five Brass

Presented by