Hong Kong Inter-School Choir
Established in 2021, the Hong Kong Inter-School Choir (HKISC) is an extension programme of the Hong Kong Inter-School Choral Festival (HKICF). It aims to train the next generation of choral leaders, all while enabling young people to contribute to the community. HKISC is divided into primary, junior secondary, and senior secondary divisions. Since its establishment, HKISC has served students from over 130 schools. There are currently more than 200 student representatives admitted to HKISC. To promote music education equity while elevating excellence in choral singing, all admitted members receive year-long intensive choral training on a full scholarship.
HKISC is deeply committed to the HKICF’s eight core values of choral education, focusing on the development of young choral talents into the next generation of choral leaders. By challenging students and equipping them with essential skills, we hone not only their musical abilities but also life skills that resonate across other areas of their lives. Our choir serves as a nurturing ground where students from diverse backgrounds can forge enduring friendships, learn with and from each other, and experience firsthand the inter-school choral culture of collaboration that we aim to foster. Furthermore, HKISC provides a platform for its singers to give back to the community, reinforcing the importance of social responsibility through artistic expression.
As a scholarship-based program, HKISC recruits members annually. Nominations are submitted by schools, and prospective members are selected through auditions. Selected choir members will join weekly rehearsals led by experienced conductors and enjoy numerous performance and learning opportunities throughout the academic year. The choir’s past performance opportunities include, among others: Zhuhai Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Palace Museum, West Kowloon Xiqu Centre, Hong Kong Children’s Hospital, the Hong Kong Society for the Aged, Children’s Cancer Foundation.
Being an integral part of the HKICF, HKISC enjoys the unique opportunity of serving as a demonstration choir for Teachers’ Workshops and receiving coaching from internationally acclaimed choral experts in the festival. Members are also able to interact closely with the visiting choirs under the Guest Choir of the Year Programme, where they host the visiting guest choirs via a “Buddy Programme”, and share stage with them in a concert setting. Additionally, choir members have the opportunity to premiere new choral compositions commissioned by HKICF.
Uniqueness of HKISC
This year, we continue to offer full scholarships to all HKISC participants. This scholarship covers their involvement in the program for an entire school year, ensuring that every talented student has the opportunity to thrive in a supportive musical environment.
Members of HKISC proudly represent their schools within the choir, donning their school uniforms during performances. This not only fosters school spirit but also highlights the importance of exchange and collaboration among students from different schools.
Through our unique Buddy Programme, HKISC members are paired with singers from the visiting choirs of the Guest Choir of the Year Programme each year. In this role, they serve as ambassadors for Hong Kong, hosting and building friendships with their counterparts in the guest choirs.
HKISC members are in a unique position to benefit from a variety of exceptional opportunities provided by the HKICF. Members have the chance to sing in the demonstration choir for Teachers’ Workshops, perform in concerts, and participate in world premiere performances of commissioned pieces. Selected members are also invited to assist in concert preparation and execution, further enhancing their experience and involvement in the inter-school choral community.
HKISC members are dedicated to serving our community through music. These initiatives are typically student-led, allowing them to exercise creativity. Past beneficiaries of their efforts include the Hong Kong Children’s Hospital, Children’s Cancer Foundation, the Hong Kong Society for the Aged, Child Development Matching Fund, New Sight and MindHK, reflecting our commitment to using music as a means of giving back to the community.
