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Hong Kong Philharmonic Supports Community and Education

The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra began in 1895 under the name Sino-British Orchestra. It began as an amateur company and changed its name to its current one in 1957. With the assistance of government funding it became a full-fledge professional orchestra in 1974. Since its beginnings it has been a popular cultural attraction and it has grown to become the largest symphony orchestra in Hong Kong. Although it offers standard selections from the classical cannon, it also has a strong focus on supporting the development of work of Hong Kong composers and has consistently sponsored premieres of contemporary pieces.

Under the leadership of music director David Atherton, the symphony gives over 100 concerts a year and plays to an audience of more than 150,000 people. In addition to supporting the development of new compositions, the company has a strong interest in musical education and appreciation. It gives over 10 free concerts a year to students and also travels to schools and performs for them in-house. They also give over 30 concerts a year to patients in hospitals. This philanthropic nature of the symphony not only nurtures its community but also receives the support back through years of consistent and loyal patronage. It is also a favorite of visitors traveling to China. Tourists enjoy returning to the luxury of the best Hong Kong hotels after an evening at the symphony.

The orchestra also tours outside the city and even the country. It is recognized around the world for its quality of musicianship and repertoire. It has served as musical ambassador for China and has visited countries such as Singapore, Japan, Korea and Thailand. In 1995 it made its extremely successful debut in North America and performed in nine cities in the United States and Canada. In 1997 the symphony premiered Tan Dun’s new dramatic Symphony 1997: Heaven – Earth- Mankind, which served as a document of the change of rule in Hong Kong from the British to the Chinese. The orchestra’s resident conductor is Yip Wing-Site and the resident composer is Chen Weiguang.

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