Teachers’ Choir
The Teachers’ Choir was established in 2023 with the aim of providing music teachers from different schools with a platform for musical and idea exchange. It hopes to foster the teachers’ passion for singing and to support them in their challenging journey as music educators. Despite their busy teaching schedules, the teachers can find joy and satisfaction in singing together and expressing themselves through music. The Teachers’ Choir enables the music teachers to learn from each other, to explore different choral repertoire and techniques, and to gain inspiration and insights for their teaching. The choir also encourages the participating teachers to share their experience and knowledge with their peers and students, and to contribute to the development of choral music education in Hong Kong in the long run.
Starting from last year, we have taken further steps to deepen the programme by offering two groups for music teachers to join according to their preferences and abilities: the Teachers’ Choir and the Teachers’ Chamber Choir. The Teachers’ Choir 2025 will last for a four-month period of choral music training . We are honoured to have Mr. Sanders Lau as the conductor once again. He will share his choral rehearsal techniques and insights with the choir. The Teachers’ Choir will also have the privilege of working with the Guest Conductor, Dr. Darius Lim, Artistic Director of Voices of Singapore, and offer his valuable feedback and guidance. The Teachers’ Choir will also have the opportunity to perform alongside Dr. Darius Lim and Mr. Sanders Lau, during the “HKICF2025 Community Gala Concert” with 3 guest performers as their graduation performance, including The Mad Singers.
Also, we are honoured to invite the Hong Kong Chapter of NATS and Dr. Tracy Wong, Assistant Professor of Choral Studies, Don Wright Faculty of Music, Western University, to offer 3 sessions of special workshops on vocal training and choral exercise.
Conductor
Guest Conductor
Piano Accompanist
Choir sections
The Teachers’ Choir will perform pieces that are simpler in terms of difficulty and style, suitable for music teachers who have not sung in a choir for a long time or who want to refresh their basic choral skills. No audition is required.
The Teachers’ Chamber Choir will attempt pieces that are more challenging in terms of complexity and expression, open to experienced choral teachers who want to challenge themselves and explore different choral repertoire. Audition is required. The Teachers’ Chamber Choir members will also sing in the Teachers’ Choir, thus having the opportunity to experience a wider range of choral music, and interact with other members of the community.
Rules & Regulation
The following is the rules and regulations of the Hong Kong Inter-School Choral Festival (“HKICF”)’s Teachers’ Choir.
1.1. By registering to participate in the Teachers’ Choir, the participant represents that he/she has thoroughly reviewed all rules and regulations relating to the Teachers’ Choir and agrees to strictly adhere to them.
1.2. Emails to participants, notices and procedures pertaining to the Teachers’ Choir published on HKICF’s website and/or social media platforms form part of the Teachers’ Choir’s rules and regulations.
1.3. HKICF reserves the right to modify the Teachers’ Choir rules and regulations from time to time. All such changes, along with all Teachers’ Choir-related notices, will be published on HKICF’s website and/or social media platforms.
2.1. The Teachers’ Choir consists of two distinct groups: the Teachers’ Choir and the Teachers’ Chamber Choir. Participants are required to indicate their preferred group during the registration process.
2.2. Due to limited choir positions, applicants interested in joining the Teachers’ Chamber Choir must successfully pass an audition. Registration for the Teachers’ Choir, on the other hand, operates on a first-come, first-served basis.
2.3. Audition results for the Teachers’ Chamber Choir are collaboratively determined by the choir conductor and the artistic director of the HKICF. In the event of any concerns or disputes regarding the results, applicants are encouraged to submit an appeal letter to the HKICF within a two-week period following the release of the results.
2.4. Applicants who have successfully secured a position in the choir are required to complete the payment process within one week of the result announcement. Failure to do so within the specified timeframe will result in the withdrawal of the offer.
3.1. All participants must adhere to the venue rules imposed by the venue.
3.2. The event assistant reserves the right to finalise seating arrangements according to the restrictions by the venue or the temporary situation.
3.3. Participants who cause nuisance during the rehearsals will be asked to leave.
3.4. HKICF is the sole authorised photographer at the venue. Unless otherwise permitted, audio or video recording of any part of the rehearsals are prohibited. Violators will be asked to leave the venue.
3.5. All attendees of the Teachers’ Choir are responsible for their own personal belongings. HKICF is not responsible for any related damage or loss.
3.6. Public parking space will not be provided by any venue.
4.1. As per the copyright clearance secured for all sheet music included in the choir’s songbook for Teachers’ Choir’s rehearsal and performances, participants are advised that the songbook is strictly prohibited from being utilised for any purposes beyond its intended use, including reproduction of the music or performance with other choirs, without prior authorization from the copyright owner of the sheet music.
5.1. For matters not covered by these rules, a final decision consistent with the spirit of these rules will be made by HKICF.
5.2. For the suspension of classes due to infectious diseases/weather or other reasons, rehearsal may be cancelled and there will be no re-scheduling of it. HKICF will also not make any further announcement regarding such cancelled session(s).
5.3. HKICF will not provide a refund under any circumstance.
5.4. HKICF retains the discretion to not allow any individual or group from participating in the rehearsal due to public health concerns.
5.5. Photos and videos of the Teachers’ Choir may be uploaded onto the relevant websites or used as materials for publicity. HKICF is not required to inform participants in advance or pay any related fees.
5.6. Rights to all the Teachers’ Choir-related photography, as well as video and sound recording belong to the Hong Kong Virtuosos Chorus Limited.
5.7. HKICF reserves the right to:
(1) Change the schedule, content and instructor of rehearsals and performances without further notice;
(2) Amend the above terms and conditions anytime without further notice. In case of disputes, HKICF reserves the right to make the final decision.
6.1. Inquiries, complaints or comments must be made in writing by the teacher/principal responsible for registration and submitted to HKICF (email: [email protected]) on or prior to the date of the final rehearsal session.
6.2. These inquiries, complaints or comments will be dealt with after the rehearsals are concluded. The relevant teacher will receive a written reply and be informed of the follow-up result, if any.
6.3. The letter containing the inquiries, complaints or comments must include the following:
(1) Signature of the school principal or responsible teacher; and
(2) Display of the official school chop.
6.4. No reply will be given for any communication that fails to comply with the above format. HKICF will not respond to any complaints made by other means.
Frequently asked questions
The Teachers’ Choir is open for all music teachers to join and does not require an audition, while audition videos are required for the Teachers’ Chamber Choir.
Teachers’ Choir is a short-term project of 4 months from November to February, and there will be a performance on February 15th 2025, marking the end of the project.
The Teachers’ Choir does not require much preparation beforehand, as the music will be provided and taught by the conductors. Members of the Teachers’ Choir should attend rehearsals with an open mind and be ready to rejoin as a chorister to better understand the needs of their students.
It is our hope that this experience will give teachers fresh perspectives on how to run their school choirs and in the long run elevate the overall quality of in-school choral music education in Hong Kong.
HKICF will not provide a refund under any circumstance.
If the applicant is not selected for the Teachers’ Chamber Choir, they will automatically become a member of the Teachers’ Choir. The organiser will arrange a refund of the price difference ($800) at a later time.
Other programmes
