The Orchestra
Honorary Technique Advicers: Larry Adler (1914-2001), Cham-Ber Huang
Technique & Music Advicer: Fung On
Chief Secretary: Y. C. Wong
Captain: Keith Ma
Secretary: K. H. Cheung
Conductors: Y. F. Hui , L. S. Ho Leung
Treble Chromatic Harmonica I :
Y.P. Yeung (Master), Fung On, L. S. Liu, K. F. Ho, K. Y. Chan, C. K. Chan, Herman Ho, M. W. Leung
Treble Chromatic Harmonica II :
H. C. Tsang, Allan Ho, Vincent Li, K. W. Law, H. S. Wong, Y. W. Chan, C. W. Yam, C. K. Mui, S. C. Tsang, M. Y. Cheng
Tenor Chromatic Harmonica:
K. H. Cheung, Tommy Leung, T. S. Wut, B. K. Tsang, B. T. Tsang, Y. N. Wu, C. K. Ho, K. S. Lo
Bass Harmonica: Y. K. Hung, W. K. Wong
Chord Harmonica: Tommy Leung, T. S. Wut
Melodica: L. S. Ho, Y. C. Chui
Basso Melodica: C. Y. Chan
Flute: S. M. Ip, W. Y. Chan, L. C. Lee
Clarinet: Y. C. Lui
French Horn: H. W. Ho
Percussion: W. Y. Tam, L. S. Man
Cello: Jack Au, C. H. Lau, H. Y. Ho, H. T. Chan, W. C. Lee
Double Bass: Keith Ma, K. Y. Chiu
Brief History
The Chinese YMCA Harmonica Orchestra was founded in 1941. Its repertoire focused on western classical music. In its early days, conductors have included Mr. Lau Shek Wing and Mr. Hung Hon Cheung.
In 1952, Mr. Fung On joined the orchestra and started a transformation of the way the harmonica performs classical music. He replaced the traditional diatonic harmonica with the new generation of chromatic harmonica. Using a set of mechanical slides, the chromatic harmonica is a full range musical instrument and is very suitable for serious concert performance.
Under Mr. Fung On's leadership, the harmonica orchestra has been organized along the lines of a symphony orchestra. Apart from different types of chromatic harmonicas, which play the parts of violin and viola, the orchestra has incorporated the horn harmonica, the chord harmonica, the bass harmonica and the melodica. Traditional orchestral instruments, such as flute, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, double bass, french horn, cello, timpani, saxophone and percussion, have also been added to the orchestra to enhance the performance of orchestral music. Over the years, Mr. Fung On's unparalleled dedication in coaching, performance, conducting, music adaptation and harmonica design has been a key success factor in establishing the YMCA Harmonica Orchestra as the 'Shaolin Temple of the Chromatic Harmonica' in Hong Kong.
Two world renowned harmonica masters, the late Mr. Larry Adler and Mr. Chamber Huang, have been the Hononary advisors of the orchestra since 1963. They have expressed great compliment of the orchestra overseas and had participated in its practice sessions in Hong Kong.
The Chinese YMCA Harmonica Orchestra performs regularly in Hong Kong and has held more than a hundred concerts over the past four decades. It has a wide range of show pieces, ranging from Western Overtures, Concertos, Symphonies to Chinese traditional and orchestral pieces.
Members of the orchestra travel regularly to compete and perform. In November, 2005, its members competed in the World Harmonica Festival held in Trossingen in Germany and was awarded first prize. In December, 2005, the orchestra was invited by the Singapore Harmonica Association to perform with local harmonica enthusiasts in the Victoria Concert Hall in Singapore.
2006 marks the 65th anniversary of the YMCA Harmonica Orchestra. It has been an awarding journey that lasted over half a century in promoting harmonica music to the younger generation and the general public alike. Many of the senior members are now established professionals in their own careers in the community but they have maintained their passion for the instrument. In recent years, many young players have joined the orchestra and its current membership spans three generations.
Practice： 8:00-10:00pm, Friday
Email：[email protected]
Address：YMCA, 23, Waterloo Road, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon.
Tel：2783 3636
Fax：2388 1123
http://www.ymcaho.org/index_e.htm
