Chan Wing-wah
Encyclopedia
Chan Wing-wah, JP
' onMouseout='HidePop("82358")' href="/topics/Hong_Kong">Hong Kong
) is a Chinese
conductor
and composer
. He is professor of music at the Chinese University of Hong Kong
and president of the Composers and Authors Society of Hong Kong
. He was also chairman of the Hong Kong Composers’ Guild, vice president of the Asian Composers’ League and board member of the International Society for Contemporary Music
(ISCM). He composed over 100 works, including eight symphonies. He was awarded several times, e.g. with the ACL Yoshiro Irino Memorial Prize, the Ten Outstanding Young Persons Award
and the composition award of the International Double Reed Society
in Florida.
. From 1975 to 1979 he studied composition with David Gwilt at the Chinese University of Hong Kong
(CUHK) and obtained a Bachelor of Arts
(Music). In 1979 he received the Fellowship Diploma in Music Composition (FTCL) from Trinity College of Music
in London. From 1980 to 1985 he was Commonwealth Fellow with John Beckwith
at the University of Toronto
(Master of Music
and Doctor of Music
). Sponsored by the German Academic Exchange Service
in 1986, he attended the Darmstadt International Summer Courses for New Music. After his studies he decided to go back to Hong Kong.
He composed eight symphonies as well as orchestral and chamber music. His works have been performed in Australia, Asia, North America and Europe. Performers were the Kroumata Ensemble, the Ensemble Antipodes, the Fires of London
ensemble, the Kronos Quartet
and the Ensemble Sortisatio
.
From 1993 to 2004 he was chairman of the Hong Kong Composers' Guild. From 1993 to 2009 he was honorary conductor of the Hong Kong Children's Choir
. Since 2001 he is chairman of the Composers and Authors Society of Hong Kong
. From 1995 to 2004 he was a member of the Hong Kong Arts Development Council. Since 1995 he has been Music Director of the Hong Kong Oratorio Society. From 1995 to 2000 he was a board member of the Guangzhou Federation of Youths. From 1996 to 2006 he was chairman of the Hong Kong Jockey Club
Music and Dance Fund. From 1997 to 2001 he was board member of the International Society for Contemporary Music
and 2002 vice president of the Asian Composers' League. Since 2000 he is adviser to the Leisure and Cultural Services Department
and since 2005 of the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra
. From 2002 to 2004 he was chairman of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra
and between 1994 and 1996 its first composer in residence. From 2004 to 2005 he served on the advisory board of the Singapore Chinese Orchestra
and from 2004 to 2006 of the China Broadcasting Chinese Orchestra
and the Hong Kong Melody Makers. From 2005 to 2006 he was member of the West Kowloon Cultural District Consultative Committee.
Since 1986 he teaches music at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. In 1996 he became reader. He served as dean and from 2000 to 2006 as vice president of the philosophical faculty. In 2001 he became professor of music. Since 2007 he is Director of the Centre for Creative and Performing Arts and deputy director of the College of Humanities and Law at the School of Professional And Continuing Education at the University of Hong Kong.
Justice of the Peace
A justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
' onMouseout='HidePop("82358")' href="/topics/Hong_Kong">Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
) is a Chinese
Chinese people
The term Chinese people may refer to any of the following:*People with Han Chinese ethnicity ....
conductor
Conducting
Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...
and composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
. He is professor of music at the Chinese University of Hong Kong
Chinese University of Hong Kong
The Chinese University of Hong Kong is a research-led university in Hong Kong.CUHK is the only tertiary education institution in Hong Kong with Nobel Prize winners on its faculty, including Chen Ning Yang, James Mirrlees, Robert Alexander Mundell and Charles K. Kao...
and president of the Composers and Authors Society of Hong Kong
Composers and Authors Society of Hong Kong
The Composers and Authors Society of Hong Kong Ltd. is a copyright society in Hong Kong which aims to administer and enforce collectively the rights of composers and authors of musical works subsisting under the copyright law of Hong Kong SAR. Its motto is: "Protect Copyright - Let Creativity...
. He was also chairman of the Hong Kong Composers’ Guild, vice president of the Asian Composers’ League and board member of the International Society for Contemporary Music
International Society for Contemporary Music
The International Society for Contemporary Music is a music organization that promotes contemporary classical music.ISCM was established in 1922, in Salzburg. Its core activity is the World Music Days Festival, held every year at a different location. The festival includes cutting edge productions...
(ISCM). He composed over 100 works, including eight symphonies. He was awarded several times, e.g. with the ACL Yoshiro Irino Memorial Prize, the Ten Outstanding Young Persons Award
Ten Outstanding Young Persons
Ten Outstanding Young Persons schemes are award schemes in various countries honouring young people for their achievements. The recipients of such awards may be submitted to JCI as nominees for the Outstanding Young Persons of the World program....
and the composition award of the International Double Reed Society
International Double Reed Society
The International Double Reed Society is a Finksburg, Maryland-based organization that promotes the interests of double reed players, instrument manufacturers and enthusiasts....
in Florida.
Life and work
Chan Wing-wah earned a teacher's diploma from Northcote College of Education in 1974. 1975 he graduated from the Sir Robert Black College of Education of the Hong Kong Institute of EducationHong Kong Institute of Education
The Hong Kong Institute of Education is one of eight subsidised tertiary institutes under the University Grants Committee of Hong Kong. It is the only one dedicated to teacher education....
. From 1975 to 1979 he studied composition with David Gwilt at the Chinese University of Hong Kong
Chinese University of Hong Kong
The Chinese University of Hong Kong is a research-led university in Hong Kong.CUHK is the only tertiary education institution in Hong Kong with Nobel Prize winners on its faculty, including Chen Ning Yang, James Mirrlees, Robert Alexander Mundell and Charles K. Kao...
(CUHK) and obtained a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
(Music). In 1979 he received the Fellowship Diploma in Music Composition (FTCL) from Trinity College of Music
Trinity College of Music
Trinity College of Music is one of the London music conservatories, based in Greenwich. It is part of Trinity Laban.The conservatoire is inheritor of elegant riverside buildings of the former Greenwich Hospital, designed in part by Sir Christopher Wren...
in London. From 1980 to 1985 he was Commonwealth Fellow with John Beckwith
John Beckwith (composer)
John Beckwith, CM is a Canadian composer, writer, pianist, teacher, and administrator.Born in Victoria, British Columbia, he studied piano with Alberto Guerrero at the Toronto Conservatory of Music in 1945. He received a Mus.B. in 1947 and a Mus.M. in 1961 from the University of Toronto...
at the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
(Master of Music
Master of Music
The Master of Music is the first graduate degree in Music awarded by universities and music conservatories. The M.Mus. combines advanced studies in an applied area of specialization with graduate-level academic study in subjects such as music history, music theory, or music pedagogy...
and Doctor of Music
Doctor of Music
The Doctor of Music degree , like other doctorates, is an academic degree of the highest level. The D.Mus. is intended for musicians and composers who wish to combine the highest attainments in their area of specialization with doctoral-level academic study in music...
). Sponsored by the German Academic Exchange Service
German Academic Exchange Service
The German Academic Exchange Service or DAAD is the largest German support organisation in the field of international academic co-operation....
in 1986, he attended the Darmstadt International Summer Courses for New Music. After his studies he decided to go back to Hong Kong.
He composed eight symphonies as well as orchestral and chamber music. His works have been performed in Australia, Asia, North America and Europe. Performers were the Kroumata Ensemble, the Ensemble Antipodes, the Fires of London
Fires of London
The Fires of London, first formed in 1965 as the Pierrot Players, was a British chamber music ensemble which was active from 1965 to 1987....
ensemble, the Kronos Quartet
Kronos Quartet
Kronos Quartet is a string quartet founded by violinist David Harrington in 1973 in Seattle, Washington. Since 1978, the quartet has been based in San Francisco, California. The longest-running combination of performers had Harrington and John Sherba on violin, Hank Dutt on viola, and Joan...
and the Ensemble Sortisatio
Ensemble Sortisatio
Ensemble Sortisatio is a quartet founded by violist Matthias Sannemüller in 1992 in Leipzig, Germany. Its members are mostly soloists at the MDR Symphony Orchestra. They have specialized in contemporary classical music.- Formation :The Ensemble Sortisatio was founded in 1992 by Matthias...
.
From 1993 to 2004 he was chairman of the Hong Kong Composers' Guild. From 1993 to 2009 he was honorary conductor of the Hong Kong Children's Choir
The Hong Kong Children's Choir
The Hong Kong Children's Choir was founded in 1969, as a private non-profit making charitable organisation. It is one of the best children's choir in Hong Kong. Founded by 39 members only, it is now the largest children's choir organisation in the world with over 5000 members namely Children aged...
. Since 2001 he is chairman of the Composers and Authors Society of Hong Kong
Composers and Authors Society of Hong Kong
The Composers and Authors Society of Hong Kong Ltd. is a copyright society in Hong Kong which aims to administer and enforce collectively the rights of composers and authors of musical works subsisting under the copyright law of Hong Kong SAR. Its motto is: "Protect Copyright - Let Creativity...
. From 1995 to 2004 he was a member of the Hong Kong Arts Development Council. Since 1995 he has been Music Director of the Hong Kong Oratorio Society. From 1995 to 2000 he was a board member of the Guangzhou Federation of Youths. From 1996 to 2006 he was chairman of the Hong Kong Jockey Club
Hong Kong Jockey Club
The Hong Kong Jockey Club is one of the oldest institutions in Hong Kong, founded in 1884 to promote horse racing. It was granted Royal Charter and renamed to "The Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club" in 1959...
Music and Dance Fund. From 1997 to 2001 he was board member of the International Society for Contemporary Music
International Society for Contemporary Music
The International Society for Contemporary Music is a music organization that promotes contemporary classical music.ISCM was established in 1922, in Salzburg. Its core activity is the World Music Days Festival, held every year at a different location. The festival includes cutting edge productions...
and 2002 vice president of the Asian Composers' League. Since 2000 he is adviser to the Leisure and Cultural Services Department
Leisure and Cultural Services Department
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department , often abbreviated as LCSD, is a department in the Government of Hong Kong. It reports to the Home Affairs Bureau, headed by the Secretary for Home Affairs. It provides leisure and cultural activities for the people of Hong Kong, which was also one of...
and since 2005 of the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra
Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra
The Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra is an orchestra of Chinese traditional instruments based in Hong Kong. It was established in 1977 and comprises 85 musicians. The Artistic Director and Principal Conductor is Yan Huichang.-External links:**...
. From 2002 to 2004 he was chairman of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra
Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra
The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra , is the largest symphony orchestra in Hong Kong. First established in 1895 as an amateur orchestra, under the name Sino-British Orchestra, it was renamed the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra in 1957, and became a professional orchestra in 1974 under the funding...
and between 1994 and 1996 its first composer in residence. From 2004 to 2005 he served on the advisory board of the Singapore Chinese Orchestra
Singapore Chinese Orchestra
The Singapore Chinese Orchestra is Singapore's only professional Chinese orchestra. It has been located at the Singapore Conference Hall since 2001 after the revamp of the building. Its music director Tsung Yeh, leads the 70 member orchestra. It runs several community outreach programmes as well...
and from 2004 to 2006 of the China Broadcasting Chinese Orchestra
China Broadcasting Chinese Orchestra
The China Broadcasting Chinese Orchestra is a major Chinese orchestra based in Beijing, comprising a large group of traditional Chinese musical instruments...
and the Hong Kong Melody Makers. From 2005 to 2006 he was member of the West Kowloon Cultural District Consultative Committee.
Since 1986 he teaches music at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. In 1996 he became reader. He served as dean and from 2000 to 2006 as vice president of the philosophical faculty. In 2001 he became professor of music. Since 2007 he is Director of the Centre for Creative and Performing Arts and deputy director of the College of Humanities and Law at the School of Professional And Continuing Education at the University of Hong Kong.
Awards
- 1979: Yu Luan Shih Award, CUHK
- 1979: Creativity Award, CUHK
- 1981: Composition award of the International Double Reed SocietyInternational Double Reed SocietyThe International Double Reed Society is a Finksburg, Maryland-based organization that promotes the interests of double reed players, instrument manufacturers and enthusiasts....
- 1988: ACL Yoshiro IRINO Memorial Prize
- 1991: Composer of the Year Award of the Hong Kong Artists' Guild
- 1992: Ten Outstanding Young Persons Award of the Junior Chamber International Hong Kong
- 1993: 20th Century Masterpieces by Chinese Composers of the China Culture Promotion Society
- 1997: Most Performed Work Award − Local Serious, CASH
- 2001: Justice of the Peace of the of the Chief Executive of Hong KongChief Executive of Hong KongThe Chief Executive of Hong Kong is the President of the Executive Council of Hong Kong and head of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The position was created to replace the Governor of Hong Kong, who was the head of the Hong Kong government during British rule...
- 2004: CASH Golden Sail Music Award – Best Serious Composition
- 2005: Best Children Song Award of the Radio Television Hong KongRadio Television Hong KongRadio Television Hong Kong is a public broadcasting organisation in Hong Kong that is operated as an independent department in the government under the Broadcasting Authority. RTHK operates seven radio channels, and produces television programmes that are then broadcast through local television...
- 2007: CASH Golden Sail Music Award – Best Serious Composition
External links
- Albums of Chan Wing-wah at Naxos RecordsNaxos RecordsNaxos Records is a record label specializing in classical music. Through a number of imprints, Naxos also releases genres including Chinese music, jazz, world music, and early rock & roll. The company was founded in 1987 by Klaus Heymann, a German-born resident of Hong Kong.Naxos is the largest...
- Chan Wing-wah at the Living Composers Project
- Biography of Chan Wing-wah at the Chinese University of Hong KongChinese University of Hong KongThe Chinese University of Hong Kong is a research-led university in Hong Kong.CUHK is the only tertiary education institution in Hong Kong with Nobel Prize winners on its faculty, including Chen Ning Yang, James Mirrlees, Robert Alexander Mundell and Charles K. Kao...
- Chan Wing-wah's music directory at the Hong Kong Composer's Guild
- Videos of Chan Wing-wah on YouTubeYouTubeYouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....