“Whiz Kids’ Drum Ensemble” concert will be held on 26 and 27 January, at 8:00pm, 27 January, at 3:00pm, at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Studio Theatre.

    This is going to be an exciting, exceptional and energizing concert! The vortex is Ronald Chin, Percussion Assistant Principal of the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra. He is supported by the members from the Whiz Kids’ Drum Ensemble, a group made up of HKCO’s very own junior members, with the youngest being five. Those that train with the ensemble have received only one year of training. But they demonstrate considerable skills and an enthusiasm to work together to make great music. Led by their instructor Chin, they will perform with the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra ensemble, to showcase their extraordinary expressive power using a unique and creative configuration.

    This programme has a rich sampling of percussion genres from all over China, highlighting the strengths of traditional Chinese percussion in particular. Works include Whiz Kids’ Gongs and Drums, Drummin’ Thru, Drumming Fairies, The Ox Fighting the Tiger, Rolling Walnuts, Prince of Qin Inspecting His Army, Whiz Kids’ Gongs and Drums II, Two Dragons playing the Prunus Drums, The Quarreling Ducks, The Frisky Thrush, The Fishermen’s Triumphant Song, and Flying Dragons and Leaping Tigers. The programme is also designed as even the Whiz Kids, new to the genre, will find a way to show their talent, so that the audience will not fail to be impressed by their outstanding performance!

    Tickets for “Whiz Kids’ Drum Ensemble” concert are now available at all URBTIX Outlets at $180 and 120. Half-price tickets are offered for senior citizens, people with disabilities and full-time students. Please refer to the programme leaflet for more details on discount schemes. Enquiries: 3185 1600; Booking Hotline: 2734 9009. Internet Booking: www.urbtix.hk; HKCO website: www.hkco.org .

─ End ─

Artists Biography

Ronald Chin
A local young percussionist. Ronald Chin studied percussion from Ho Man-chuen, Lung Heung-wing, Law Wing-fai and Yim Hok-man. He graduated with distinction from the School of Music of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts in 1989, majoring in percussion. In 1995, he received the Lee Hysan Foundation Scholarship to further his studies in the United States. A veteran performer in both Chinese and western percussion instruments, Chin has represented Hong Kong in various performance tours around the world. In 1996, he became the first Hong Kong percussionist to be invited by the Percussion Arts Society to give a solo performance at their annual International Convention (PASIC) in Nashville, Texas, and received unanimous acclaim. He was further invited to attend the World Percussion Festival in Boston, Massachusetts for academic exchange and performances. Since 2000, Chin’ name has been included in the Outstanding Musicians of the 20th Century published by the International Biographical Centre of Cambridge University. Chin joined the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra in 1989, and is currently Assistant Percussion Principal. In 1998, he founded the Hong Kong Drum Ensemble to actively promote Chinese drum music and participate in community and charity events.

Whiz Kids’ Drum Ensemble
The Whiz Kids’ Drum Ensemble is an innovative percussion training course specially formulated for children by the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra. Aged between 5 and 12, the young members receive personal training from Mr Ronald Chin, Assistant Percussion Principal. They will learn the different modes of traditional Chinese drum music and the different performing practices of Chinese percussion instruments in a stringent training process. The aim is to bring out the children’s interest and natural gift in Chinese music. Apart from regular classes, the ‘Whiz Kids’ will have many opportunities to participate in various types of performances to gather stage experience in preparation for the advanced, professional training in future. Other students of Mr Chin from various sectors have been invited to perform in this concert. It will be an experience-sharing occasion that inspires and excites, and promises to be a colourful array of musical expressions from the young drummers.