Hong Kong Youth Saxophone Choir
Music Director and Conductor: Ms. Tsang Man Sze
The Hong Kong Youth Saxophone Choir (HKYSC) was established in July 2010. It was founded by Ms. Tsang Man Sze who graduated from the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, Music Department, majoring in saxophone performance. There are around 15 members in the choir and each of the members have been selected through a rigorous audition. Most of the members had obtained the Associated Board of Royal Schools of Music Grade 8 or above standard in saxophone. Besides, some of the members also frequently participated in the Hong Kong Schools Music Festival and their standards are among the best.
The purpose of the HKYSC is to gather a group of potential young saxophonists and improve the standard of saxophone playing through regular rehearsals. To promote the culture of saxophone playing to the general public, the HKYSC participates in local and overseas music performances and exchange activities.
In 2010, the choir attended “The Hong Kong International Saxophone Symposium Master Class Workshop”. Under the guidance of Dr. Kenneth Tse, the HKYSC participated in the evening concert of the “Marathon Performance for Saxophone”. And in the same year, HKYSC held the premier concert with the famous Hong Kong Trumpet Group “Trumpet Notes” with much success.
In 2012 and 2013, HKYSC made their 1st and 2nd annual concert in Sai Wan Hall Civic Centre and Tsuen Wan Town Hall respectively. Those concerts received much compliments and were attended by a full house.
In 2013, HKYSC performed in the 47th Hong Kong Brands and Products Expo Fair Facts, and in the same year, guest performed in “Love & Music” Joint School Concerts organized by the Hong Kong Music Office – Leisure and Cultural Services Department.
In the year 2011, 2013 and 2014, HKYSC performed at the Hong Kong International Band Fair.
Saxophone Soloist: Mr. Calvin Wong
Born in the United States yet brought up and educated in Hong Kong, Calvin Wong found his interest in playing saxophone at the age of ten. He followed Man-Sze Tsang and Martin Choy for nine years and actively participated in various music competitions. His local professional ensemble appearances include performances with the Hong Kong Chamber Wind Philharmonia and Hong Kong Saxophone Ensemble. He has performed in master classes for Eugene Rousseau, Kenneth Tse, Thomas Liley, Claude Delangle, Julia Nolan, Nobuya Sugawa, Masato Kumoi, Bruce Weinberger, and Zagreb Quartet.
Calvin studied with Kenneth Tse and Stephen Page at the University of Iowa where he graduated at with a Bachelor of Music degree in 2014. Currently, he is pursuing a master degree in music performance under the tutelage of Otis Murphy at Indiana University. Recently, Calvin has performed at the North American Saxophone Alliance (NASA) Conferences, the 64th Midwest International Clinic in Chicago as a member of the University of Iowa Saxophone Ensemble, and at the World Saxophone Congress XVI in Scotland as a member of Trio UNIDO. Having received scholarships from University of Iowa and Indiana University, Calvin competed in the Music Teacher National Association (MTNA) and the International Saxophone Symposium and Competition (ISSAC). He was awarded prizes in the 2013 and 2014 Yamaha Performing Young Artist Competition and the NASA Region 3 Competition. Last year, Calvin recorded with the University of Iowa Saxophone Ensemble in the new album “Contemplation” under Jeanné Records.
Calvin Wong is Vice-chairman of the Hong Kong Youth Saxophone Choir.