By Lorraine Ng

Last month, the RCHK community was presented with the RCHK Virtual Winter Concert. Unlike previous years, the concert was hosted online and consisted of many performances featuring talented musicians from Year 7 to Year 13. Viewers were entertained by musicians from Chamber Strings, String Ensemble, Mellow, Collaboration Club, and other solo performers, many of whom had been practicing since the start of summer.

When asked about the purpose of hosting the Winter Concert, RCHK Music Teacher Tom O’Grady, mentioned that many members of the school community “have grown frustrated with the lack of performances” due to the Covid pandemic. Hence, the Music Department was looking for “creative ways” to showcase performances to staff and students.
Many students were involved in the concert, including Year 9 student Hailey Sun, who took part  in the Chamber Strings, String Ensemble and Music Collaboration Club performances. Sun explained that she decided to participate because she wanted to “showcase the effort and time” she, and members of her club, the Collaboration Club, put into rehearsing pieces “over the months”. She added that the concert allowed the club to “receive feedback and recognition from the school community”. 

O’Grady praised student leaders for their excellent efforts in the preparation of this concert. Year 12 students Anika Cheung and Jay Chan were the presenters of the concert and were also involved in the editing of the concert recordings. Year 12 students Hernan Lee, Anika Cheung, and Year 13 student Hilary Yu were involved in conducting the ensembles. Sun presented members of the school community with her new development of the Music Collaboration Club. Overall, Mr O’Grady was pleased with the “active role” many students were playing across secondary school. He hopes to see many more students involved in future performances.

Taking part in Winter Concerts can be a “rewarding experience” for students. As Sun says, “It helps boost confidence and self-esteem, which is crucial when performing in different environments.” She encourages other students to engage in future performances and concerts because it is a “really good opportunity” to perform for others. Additionally, musical skills can be improved and most importantly, other people can feel “inspired” and “appreciate” what students have accomplished in their performances.  

For those students who are not as familiar with music, it is never too late to try a new instrument! “Many of the Music units in MYP give students the opportunity to develop skills in new instruments,” O’Grady comments. Students are welcome to speak to O’Grady or his colleague Daniel Tsang to use music practice rooms during lunch or after school. From a student perspective, Sun says students who are not as confident in music “just need some time and experience” to adapt to learning an instrument, “just like you would in any other subject.” In addition, she encouraged students to develop their skills and knowledge on an instrument “that they are passionate about or have always wanted to learn.” After all, you never know if you have a secret talent that has been awaiting you to discover it!