On 3 May 2024, City University of Hong Kong Press held a book launch and seminar for our newly released title The Forgotten History of Wind Bands in Hong Kong in the Connie Fan Multi-media Conference Room (MMR). This event was co-organized with the Hong Kong Publishing Federation Limited; supported by the Master of Arts in Cultural Management program, The Chinese University of Hong Kong; sponsored by Create Hong Kong as well as the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, Government of the HKSAR. It was one of the reading cultural activities included in 2024 Hong Kong Reading+.

 

In addition to the author of the book, Mr. LIN Ka-chun, who is currently a Part-time Lecturer in the University of Hong Kong School of Professional and Continuing Education, we were honored to have Dr. Oliver CHOU (Chief Writer of the Music Section, Performing Arts Volume, Hong Kong Chronicles) and Prof. Yvonne LIAO (Assistant Professor in Musicology, Department of Music, The Chinese University of Hong Kong) as guest speakers for the seminar.

 

The event commenced with a welcoming speech from our Press Director, Mr. Edmund CHAN Ka-yeung, and speeches from our officiating guest Mr. James LEUNG (former Director of Music of ­the Hong Kong Police Band and former Chief Music Officer of Music Office) and the author of the book Mr. LIN.

 

The Forgotten History of Wind Bands in Hong Kong is the first book including a comprehensive analysis of the history of wind band music in Hong Kong and the surrounding areas. It records the important wind music groups of different eras and elaborates on the relationship between society and wind music. It also explores the challenges in the local development of wind music, which provides a different perspective for the future management, performance and research of wind music.

 

During the event, Mr. LIN shared his original intention behind writing this book, aiming at strengthening the connection between wind bands and society, as well as restoring the historical records of the development of Asian wind bands that have so far been neglected. Through the process of writing this book, he has come to believe that wind bands can bring people together.

 

In the discussion part, Mr. LIN led Dr. CHOW and Prof. LIAO to share more about how to view the cultural development of Hong Kong and Asia from the perspective of Hong Kong's wind band history. We extend our sincere gratitude to Dr. CHOW and Prof. LIAO for their valuable insights, and we believe that every participant benefited greatly from this event.

Wind bands came to Hong Kong in 1841 along with the British military forces. Although wind bands were the first Western music to be introduced to the Chinese community in Hong Kong, it is only now that a dedicated book has been written to record their history. Through this new book, readers can explore a forgotten side of Hong Kong's music history.

 

This book and other selected Hong Kong history and cultural titles are now on sale, with up to 20% discount until 17 May 2024 on our website and also at the CityU Bookshop. If you are interested in understanding more about history and culture in Hong Kong, do not miss this special offer!

 

For more information: https://www.cityu.edu.hk/upress/hk-history-cultural-studies-promotion