Speech at the St Paul’s Co-Educational College International Choral Conference 2007 Grand Concert

St Paul ’s Co-Educational College

International Choral Conference 2007

Grand Concert

Thursday, 12 July 2007

Speech by Mr Raymond H C Wong, JP

Permanent Secretary for Education

Dr Mak, Dr Chan, Professor Young, Distinguished Guests, Parents, Teachers, Students, Ladies and Gentlemen,

                          Thank you for inviting me to join the Grand Concert tonight which is the highlight of the International Choral Conference St Paul’s Co-ed has co-organised with the Music Department of the Chinese University of Hong Kong .

                           It is a privilege for me to be here to welcome some 400 choir  members of seven high schools from different parts of the world to Hong Kong for this International Choral Conference.  It gives me great pleasure to share this evening with all of you to enjoy the choirs’ superb performance.

                           I know the participants have already taken a short tour of Hong Kong and have seen our bustling city and magnificent harbour --- a true hub for business, finance and trade in the Asia-Pacific Region.  I hope in the past few days you have found that this is also a place where you can appreciate and learn the arts, music and cultures of different countries.

                           The concert this evening features choral performances of groups from overseas and from various music groups of St Paul ’s Co-ed.  The programme reflects the diversity of the talents of our young people.  This is a golden opportunity for all students to share with us what you have learnt and perfected under the four renowned conductors.  The concert also demonstrates a true cultural blend among the young people who will use the universal language of music.

                            Indeed, this concert is the fruit of the tremendous efforts of St Paul ’s Co-ed and the Chinese U.   It is gratifying to see one of our top secondary schools joining hands with a great university to bring this valuable cross-cultural learning experience to our students.  As an alumni of St Paul ’s Co-ed, I am proud to see my alma mater continue, as ardently as ever, to promote  music education and to cherish a fine choral tradition.

                             Ladies and gentlemen, heartiest thanks for coming this evening to appreciate the concerted efforts of the performing student-artists, the teams working backstage and their teachers.  May I end with warm congratulations to all on making this concert a memorable event.  Thank you.