The Hong Kong Oratorio Society was founded by Mr. Theodore Huang and a group of music enthusiasts who believed that singing beautiful music would bring joy to singers and listeners alike. It further helps to enhance our personal quality and provide citizens with rich spiritual and cultural life.<\/p>\n
Oct 1956<\/em> 11 May 1962<\/em> 1967<\/em> 15-16 May 1971<\/em> Nov 1972<\/em> 11 Nov 1976<\/em> 27 Nov 1977<\/em> April 1984<\/em> 2-3 Apr 1988<\/em> 2 Dec 1989<\/em> 1989<\/em> 5 Oct 1992<\/em> 1995<\/em> Nov 1995<\/p>\n HKOS recorded the first CD for Symphony No.4 Te Deum<\/em> by Chan Wing-wah and Requiem<\/em> by Anton Bruckner\u00a0<\/em>at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, <\/em>produced by Hugo Productions (HK) Ltd.<\/p>\n June – July 1997<\/em> HKOS\u00a0also participated the 1997 Reunification Music Festival – 1st July Reunification Gala, presented by the Association for Celebration of Reunification of Hong Kong at Hong Kong Coliseum on 1 July 1997; and HK Association of Choral Societies joint choir at Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Concert Hall on 2 and 7 Jul 1997 for singing Chinese Symphonic Choral Works;<\/p>\n Finally, HKOS took part in a record 22 performances and two concert tours in 1997.<\/p>\n 10-20 Aug 1998<\/em> 2002<\/em> 2003<\/em> 2006<\/em> 18 Dec 2011<\/em> 15 Mar 2016<\/em> June 2017<\/em> Sep 2017<\/em> 26 May 2019(Hong Kong), 22 June 2019(Toronto)<\/em> 2020 – 9 May 2021<\/em> 01 December 2023<\/em> 10 Jaunary 2024<\/em> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Start\u00a0On 1956 The Hong Kong Oratorio Society was founded by Mr. Theodore Huang and a group of music enthusiasts who believed that singing beautiful music would bring joy to singers and listeners alike. It further helps to enhance our personal quality and provide citizens with rich spiritual and cultural life. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.oratorio.org.hk\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/402"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.oratorio.org.hk\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.oratorio.org.hk\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oratorio.org.hk\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oratorio.org.hk\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=402"}],"version-history":[{"count":41,"href":"https:\/\/www.oratorio.org.hk\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/402\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":864,"href":"https:\/\/www.oratorio.org.hk\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/402\/revisions\/864"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.oratorio.org.hk\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=402"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\nInaugural Concert at Queen Elizabeth School, selected pieces from Handel\u2019s Messiah<\/em>, Brahms\u2019s Requiem<\/em>, Beethoven\u2019s Choral Fantasia<\/em>\u00a0were performed.<\/p>\n
\nFirst Concert in Hong Kong City Hall<\/h4>\n
\nHong Kong City Hall grand opened on 2 March 1962 and HKOS presented the first concert at the venue with Mendelssohn\u2019s Elijah<\/em> on 11 May 1962, After that, HKOS scheduled about two concerts a year at the same venue for many years.<\/p>\n
\nDr Wong Wing-hee, Principal Conductor<\/h4>\n
\nDr Wong Wing-hee was appointed as the principal conductor of the HKOS from 1967 until his retirement in 1989.<\/p>\n
\nPremiere Concerts<\/h4>\n
\nHKOS performed many masterpieces led by famous conductors since its establishment. Some works were not only premiered in Hong Kong but also in Asia. On 15 & 16 May, 1971, HKOS sang the choral parts in two consecutive performances of Beethoven Symphony No. 9 (Hong Kong Premiere). On 2 Nov, 1997, Norwagian \u00a0composer Sigvald Tveit’s The Pilgrims was presented by HKOS (World Premiere). In addition, some HKOS commissioned works by Hong Kong composers and (world premiere) performed.<\/p>\n
\nFirst Overseas Performance<\/h4>\n
\nThe first overseas performance was held at Manila Cultural Centre in the Philippines, performed Verdi\u2019s Requiem<\/em> with Chorale Philippines & Manila Symphony Orchestra. After that, HKOS has also gone on overseas tours to Macau, Taiwan, Canada, Israel, Korea, Singapore, USA, and many cities in Mainland China.<\/p>\n
\nFirst Time to Sing Chinese Work<\/h4>\n
\nHKOS tackled a Chinese work for the first time in 1976: Huang Tze\u2019s cantata Song of Eternal Lament<\/em> as one of the programmes for The Festival of Asian Arts 1976.<\/p>\n
\nFirst Member Recital Concert<\/h4>\n
\nA member recital concert was held at Hong Kong Arts Centre, Shouson Theatre.<\/p>\n
\nFirst Concert in Mainland China<\/h4>\n
\nPerformed\u00a0Haydn’s The Seasons<\/em> in Cultural Hall of the People, Beijing. HKOS was one of the earliest performing parties being\u00a0invited to sing the western music\u00a0in China during\u00a0‘The Reform and Opening-up Policy’<\/p>\n
\nFirst Charity Concert Series of 17 years<\/h4>\n
\nHKOS and The Hong Kong Japanese Club Chorus first joined together to perform an annual series of charity concerts to raise money for the Community Chest. The concerts lasted for 17 years until 2004.<\/p>\n
\nGrand Opening Concert of Hong Kong Cultural Centre<\/h4>\n
\nHKOS was being\u00a0invited to perform in the Grand Opening Concert of Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Concert Hall for Mahler\u2019s Symphony No. 2 Resurrection. <\/em>Since then,\u00a0Concert Hall of Hong Kong Cultural Centre become a weekly rehearsal and frequent performance venue of HKOS.<\/p>\n
\nDr Wong Wing-hee Retired<\/h4>\n
\nDr Wong Wing-hee retired from the post of Principal Conductor in 1989 and moved to the America, he became our Conductor Emeritus. However, he still came back to Hong Kong to conduct\u00a0HKOS performances and participated in church music development. In 1991, he was being invited\u00a0to conduct\u00a0HKOS 35th Anniversary Concert. In 1997, Dr.\u00a0Wong retired for the second time and permanently moved to United States,\u00a0HKOS and\u00a0some\u00a0church music groups\u00a0held a grand farewell concert to celebrate his 80th birthday .<\/p>\n
\nHKOS Commissioned Works<\/h4>\n
\nHKOS commissioned works by Hong Kong Composers, the first work\u00a0was Symphony No. 4 Te Deum<\/em> by Dr Chan Wing-wah in 1992, Symphonic Psalms in Three Parts<\/em> by Dr Victor Chan in 1994, Festive Fanfare<\/em> and Gloria\u00a0<\/em>by Elena Chiu in 2015.<\/p>\n
\nFirst Music Director<\/h4>\n
\nProf Chan Wing-wah was appointed Music Director in 1995.<\/p>\n
\nFirst Audio CD\u00a0 Recording<\/h4>\n
\nHandover\u00a0Concert Series<\/h4>\n
\nHKOS actively participated in the celebrations surrounding the handover of Hong Kong back to China, singing in four concerts in the week before the Handover.\u00a0(Last Night of the Proms<\/em>, 26-29 Jun 1997)<\/p>\n
\nA Journey to the Holy Land<\/h4>\n
\nHKOS joined the Israel 18th Zimriya World Assembly of Choirs in Jerusalem Israel, took this opportunity to have music exchange and community performances with worldwide musicians and choirs. Two concerts were held in Hong Kong known as Pre-Israel and Post-Israel Tour Concert.<\/p>\n
\nFirst Website<\/h4>\n
\nHKOS registered the oratorio as domain name in Hong Kong launched\u00a0its first official website : http:\/\/www.oratorio.org.hk<\/p>\n
\nHKOS in SARS Period<\/h4>\n
\nHong Kong and some cities of the world reacted in a panic to the mysterious infection of SARS. The society managed to continue its rehearsals with members wearing masks during rehearsals. Two concerts names as (Let There Be Peace On Earth) were held at Hong Kong City Hall, Concert Hall (1 Jun), and Auditorium, Tsuen Wan Town Hall (7 Jun). The first time using slide show at back stage while performing, to express feelings to the audience.<\/p>\n
\n50th Golden Jubilee Anniversary<\/h4>\n
\nHKOS celebrated the 50th Anniversary and launched a series the Golden Jubilee Concert Series in Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Beijing. An unforgettable AGM dinner were held\u00a0at Dynasty Club. Both members, families,\u00a0friends and\u00a0guests were invited to join and\u00a0sing\u00a0at that night.<\/p>\n
\nNew Media Channel<\/h4>\n
\nCreation TV channel was invited to be media partner to promote and produce video in HKOS concert. Then HKOS concerts can be\u00a0replayed through at TV and web channels. Our performers and conductors were interviewed by reporters.<\/p>\n
\n60th Diamond Jubilee Anniversary<\/h4>\n
\nHKOS celebrated the 60th Anniversary and launched a series the Diamond Jubilee Concert Series in Hong Kong, San Diego and Honolulu. And a\u00a0memorable AGM dinner was held in The Mira Hong Kong. Members and guests enjoyed the dinner and happy sharings that night.<\/p>\n
\nA Musical Journey – To In Celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the Establishment of the HKSAR<\/h4>\n
\nTo In Celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the Establishment of the HKSAR, A Musical Journey were held at world known venue, The Music Centre’s Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles on 25 Jun 2017 & Herbst Theatre, San Francisco on 23 Jun 2017. More than 70 members joined the tour under music director and renowned composer Chan Wing-wah. It might be the largest overseas performances since\u00a0we ever had.<\/p>\n
\nRevamp of Website and Social Media<\/h4>\n
\nHKOS Website revamped as a more user-friendly and responsive website, include interactive and\u00a0historical archives.\u00a0By\u00a0using\u00a0the social media, such as Facebook , Instagram, Twitter & Youtube Channel, it facilitates HKOS to share more in social networking.<\/p>\n
\nCHAN Wing-wah’s “Symphony No.9\uff1a Universal Harmony” (Hong Kong and Canada premieres concert)<\/h4>\n
\nIn May, Hong Kong Premiere Concert to perform CHAN Wing-wah’s new work “Symphony No.9\uff1a Universal Harmony” and in June Prof CHAN lead more than 60 members to participate in a Musical Journey in Celebration of the “70th Anniversary of the Founding of the People\u2019s Republic of China” in Toronto, with the Vancouver Oratorio Society to form a lineup of nearly 100 Choirs, and Toronto KSO Orchestra, performed “Voices of the World” Concert at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts.<\/p>\n
\n“Covid-19” ravages the world<\/h4>\n
\nIn 2020, the “COVID-19” ravaged the world, Hong Kong was also affected by the epidemic to maintain social distancing. We have suspended all concerts in 2020. Until May 2021, we are excited to be able to return the stage of the concert hall, spent a Mother’s Day afternoon concert with the audience, and the first time all members to put on masks during performance.<\/p>\n
\nThe publication of \u2018The Hong Kong Oratorio Society \u2013 65 Glorious Years\u2019<\/h4>\n
\nThe publication of \u2018The Hong Kong Oratorio Society \u2013 65 Glorious Years\u2019, a commemorative album for the 65th anniversary of the founding of the Hong Kong Oratorio Society (HKOS). It can also be said to be a self-narrated history of the HKOS. It takes concerts over the years as the main axis, from the fundraising concert – the first performance in 1956 to the Christmas concert present in December 2021. Book showing the details of each concert, with promotion posters, program book covers, newspaper clippings, and performance pictures, the precious content can be used as an academic reference and as a souvenir of the collective memories of Hong Kong people, allowing the public to have a more comprehensive understanding of the development history of local classical music of HKOS.
\nPublisher: Cosmos Books Ltd. | Author: Hong Kong Oratorio Society | Chief Editor: Dr. Oliver Chou<\/p>\n
\nHKOS 65th<\/sup> anniversary book was ranked Second of “Top 10 Music Headlines, 2023”, presented by RTHK Radio 4<\/h4>\n
\nWe are deeply honored the publication of \u2018The Hong Kong Oratorio Society \u2013 65 Glorious Years\u2019 to be included as a finalist in the Top 10 2023 Music Headlines, presented by RTHK Radio 4. The news items are nominated by professionals in the music scene, and based on their influence on music cultural and academic development in Hong Kong. It was ranked second with 67.1% of voting rate.<\/p>\n
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