Cairn University Chorale Performs in Hong Kong

After performing at Cairn’s spring commencement on May 8, the Cairn University Chorale traveled on its annual tour on May 9–16, 2017. This year, they visited various churches and schools in Hong Kong. They were accompanied by Abbie Mulhern, music recruitment and events coordinator, and Dr. Andrew Hui ’76, assistant director of business services, who traveled with the Chorale as translator and guide.
In addition to visiting a region that many Chorale members have not visited before, experiencing a new culture, and meeting old and new friends of the University, the Chorale performed in concert for ministry, recruitment, and educational purposes. In total, they performed for over 700 people. This year’s tour program featured a variety of choral standard works, as well as spirituals, folk songs, and recently composed sacred pieces.
On their first day in Hong Kong, the Chorale spent some time sightseeing, including visiting Stanley Market, a Chinese open air market. Some of the students tried their hand at bartering to negotiate prices on goods, as is custom in many Asian street markets. They also connected with recent Cairn grad Sonia Mak ’15, who lives in Hong Kong.
The next day, the Chorale visited International Christian School, where they presented during music classes and the school’s chapel. Later, they attended a concert at Levite Institute of Worship and Praise, an organization focused on training church musicians in the heart of the city of Hong Kong. The concert featured Ruth Naomi Floyd, director of Jazz Studies at Cairn; Dr. Benjamin Harding ’02, dean of the School of Music, and Alex Leun, director of the Levite Institute.
The following day, the Chorale returned to Levite Institute for a symposium featuring a lecture on worship in the church. Dr. Harding also taught a masterclass with the Levite choir. The Chorale was such a hit the night before that they were asked to sing again during the symposium. They also performed a concert at Tsimshatsui Swatow Christian Church, the home church of Dr. Andrew Hui and his brothers, Dean of Educational Resources Dr. Timothy Hui ’71 and former music professor Dr. Samuel Hsu ’69. Dr. Tim Hui was able to join them, as were Provost Dr. Brian Toews and Sr. Vice President for Marketing and Enrollment Paul Neal, who had been visiting University partners in China.
The Chorale also performed for Kowloon City Baptist Church, a very large and musically rich church in the city; students of Colegio Mateus Ricci Jesuit school in Macau; and Munsang College, Andrew Hui’s alma mater.
They were also able to visit historic sites such as St. Andrew’s Church (established in 1904) and the ruins of St. Paul Church.
To learn more about the Chorale, visit Cairn’s School of Music webpage.