This is the first of two talks about classical music in Hong Kong that the RASHK will be giving this year.
The first talk on 16th June is an online slideshow presentation by John Wilson, a lawyer and amateur musician now living in the UK. He will give a personal and pictorial account of classical music in Hong Kong during his years of living and working in Hong Kong from 1983 to 2004.
The second talk, later in the year, will be by Leanne Nicholls, a professional musician still living in Hong Kong. She is the founder and director of the Hong Kong City Chamber Orchestra and has played with other major orchestras in Hong Kong.
The Speaker
John Wilson practised as a barrister in England but went overseas in 1976 to work for British overseas territories. He came to Hong Kong in 1983 and was in the Attorney General’s Chambers of the HKG until the end of 1996, working on aspects of the resumption of Chinese sovereignty.
In 2002 John returned to HK to work in the Department of Justice of the HKSAR Government as a legislative drafter. Since 2004 he has been a law drafting consultant based in England.
During his years of living and working overseas, John has always joined in musical activities, as a pianist and organist, a choral singer and a conductor of small groups. He has composed music for churches and has written articles, programme notes and even surtitles for operas.
As a musical enthusiast, John became involved in several aspects of music-making while in Hong Kong. He was Chair of the Friends of Radio 4 in its early days, and was also active as a church organist, vocal accompanist and harpsichord player. He will give an illustrated account of his experience of the wide range of classical music-making in Hong Kong, from the early 80s to the present day.
John is married to Phylis Tso and they have two children born in Hong Kong. They look forward to returning to Hong Kong when the Covid-19 rules allow and to enjoying again the varied musical life to be found here.
Programme
Venue: Online on Zoom, please sign up to receive the link
Admission: No charge, please register your attendance in advance
Booking: Please email membership@royalasiaticsociety.org.hk in advance to register your attendance
The views and opinions expressed in Royal Asiatic Society Hong Kong talks and ‘Of General interest Items‘ from other Societies / Institutions, are those of the speakers and participants, and do not reflect the opinion, position or official policy of RASHK, its members, Council or its committees. Royal Asiatic Society Hong Kong does not endorse or approve and assumes no responsibility for the content of the information presented. This is applicable to all talks and events by other RAS societies or correspondences via Royal Asiatic Society Hong Kong.