King's College Harmonica Band

King's College Harmonica Band ("KCHB") by a King's College Alumni

King's College Harmonica Band ("KCHB"), founded in 1951, is one of the oldest harmonica ensembles in Hong Kong. At first, it consisted of only a few members. In the 60's, under the baton of Mr. Fung On, the band began to expand in scale and won an enviable reputation for performances in Hong Kong. At that time, KCHB comprised over 30 members and through their efforts, numerous prizes in the Hong Kong Schools Music Festival were won, which are unnumbered.

Towards the 1960s, because of Mr. Fung's leaving, the success and enthusiasm of the band waned until Mr. Hui Yau Fong took the baton a few years later. Mr. Hui reorganized KCHB, enthusiastically nurtured the new generation, and prepared for future development.

Between 1981 and 1985, KCHB entered the most significant stage in its development. It began to appear frequently in public and under the leadership of Mr. Ho Pak Cheong, Chan Kai Wah, Chan Shu Keung, Mok Chi Chiu and Lau Chun Bong, it won championship in most of the categories in the Hong Kong Schools Music Festivals. A major figure in KCHB's artistic development during the 1980s was Mr. Ho Pak Cheong, who became KCHB's conductor-in-chief in 1988. His contributions led to KCHB's outstanding artistic achievements in the following years.

Into the 1990s, bound by various work obligations, Mr. Ho Pak Cheong departed from the stage and the baton went to Mr. Johnny KUAN, another old boy and harmonica enthusiast. Under Mr. Kuan's zealous endeavors, new talent was nurtured that pushed KCHB towards another pinnacle previously unmatched in its history, witnessing the snatching of the champion's title five times in a row from 1989 to 1993 in the Concert Work of Harmonica Solo of the Hong Kong Schools Music Festival. In 1991, KCHB organized its first public concert, the 40th Anniversary Concert, at Shouson Theatre, Hong Kong Arts Centre. The success of the concert and the subsequent critical acclaim generated a real "harmonica kick" among professionals and amateurs alike. Shortly after that, the ongoing development of KCHB was left in the hands of Mr. Fung Sui Tsan, another enthusiastic chairman of KCHB. The year 1996 saw the return of Mr. Kuan as the conductor, presenting KCHB in the 45th anniversary celebration concert at Drama Theatre, Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts so as to promote harmonica music to the public. In 2001, KCHB held a concert at Hong Kong City Hall Concert Hall to celebrate the Diamond Anniversary of our alma mater and the Golden Anniversary of the Harmonica Band. In the concert, KCHB world premiéred the commissioned work "Jubilee Overture" composed by the renowned local composer, Mr. Hui Cheung Wai.

KCHB has begun to win ian overseas reputation in recent years under the leadership of Mr. Kuan. In 1998, 2000, 2002 and 2004, KCHB members participated in the Asia Pacific Harmonica Festival (APHF) held in Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Atsugi, Hong Kong and Taipei respectively and won numerous awards, which are too many to be named. In 2005, KCHB members, together with some alumni, made their European début by entering the World Harmonica Festival held in the "Town of Harmonica" – Trossingen, Germany.

Nowadays, KCHB is a harmonica orchestra consisting of more than 40 members, many of them being experienced and prospective harmonica players. KCHB will continue its tradition of nurturing the new generation of harmonica players, while encouraging more students to get in touch with and appreciate classical music.