Teachers’ Choir
Established in 2023, the Teachers’ Choir is a platform for music teachers in Hong Kong to come together, sing, and build professional networks. The programme uses a rehearsal-workshop approach, with the conductor explaining and modelling effective rehearsal techniques to help teachers learn better methods. It also provides the experience of singing in a choir, allowing participants to reflect on teaching from a chorister’s perspective. The ultimate goal is to empower teachers and school choir conductors to inspire their students and elevate the quality of teaching and singing across their choirs. The programme concludes with a final performance in the HKICF Community Gala Concert, and this year we are excited to announce that choir members have the option to participate in an overseas tour to Singapore in July 2026, in collaboration with Voices of Singapore.
To cater to different needs, the choir is subdivided into the Main Choir and the Chamber Choir, both led by Hong Kong award-winning conductor Sanders Lau. Each year, the Choir invites a guest conductor; past guests include Elise Bradley, Dr. Darius Lim, and Susanna Saw, and this year we are honored to welcome Dr. Chia-fen Weng.
Conductor
Guest Conductor
Piano Accompanist
Two Streams: Main and Chamber
The Main 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.
- Application Fees: HKD 2,500 / pax
(including a songbook and 3 Community Gala Concert Tickets) - Programme Details: Rehearsals, 2 Choral Repertoire Reading Sessions, and at least 1 performance.
The 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 Chamber Choir members will also sing in the Main Choir, thus having the opportunity to experience a wider range of choral music, and interact with other members of the community.
- Application Fees: HKD 3,000 / pax
(including a songbook and 3 Community Gala Concert Tickets) - Programme Details: Rehearsals, 2 Choral Repertoire Reading Sessions, and at least 1 performance.
New Initiatives
Supporting organisation
Exchange Tour in Singapore (Optional)
HKICF is pleased to announce the first exchange tour for the Teachers’ Choir.
Tour Highlight
- Exchange with VOS Ladies Choir
- Participate in the Voices of the World Festival (organised by VOS)
- Workshops, Choir Observations, and Performances
- Recital Performance
Tour Details
- Programme fees: HKD 5,000
(excluded self-arranged flight and accommodation) - Dates: 16 – 19 July 2026
- Eligibility: We welcome all members of the Main Choir and Chamber Choir to join the tour
- 4 Additional rehearsals will be held in from June to July 2026
Choral Repertoire Reading Sessions
HKICF 2026’s new initiative, the Choral Repertoire Reading Session, invites composers to share their works with conductors and music teachers in Hong Kong to expand school choirs’ repertoires and promote new choral pieces. The Teachers’ Choir will participate as the demonstration choir, singing the composers’ pieces under their direction.
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Rules & Regulation
The following is the rules and regulations of the 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.
2.5. The Singapore Exchange Tour, organised by HKICF in collaboration with the Voices of Singapore (VOS), will take place from July 16 to 19, 2026. This tour provides participants with the opportunity to engage with international choral culture through various activities. Registration for the Exchange Tour operates on a first-come, first-served basis, opening to both Teachers’ Choir and Teachers’ Chamber Choir participants to enroll.
2.6. The total fee for participating the Singapore Exchange Tour is HKD 5,000, includes access to workshops, choir observations and performances during the Voices of the World Festival; and access to all other scheduled activities. Participants are responsible for arranging their own transportation and accommodation. HKICF will not provide refunds for the Exchange Tour under any circumstances.
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.
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 ($500) at a later time.
The programme fee for the tour is HKD 5,000, which covers participation in all scheduled activities. Participants will have full access to workshops, choir observations, and performances throughout the Voices of the World Festival, including the exchange with the Voices of Singapore Ladies Choir and performing in the Closing Recital. Please note that transportation and accommodation must be arranged individually by participants. HKICF will not provide a refund under any circumstance.
Other programmes
Choral Repertoire Reading Session
We provide music teachers and conductors with professional development sessions that aim to connect theory and practice in music education.
School Choir Advancement Programme
The School Choir Incubator Programme is an extension programme of HKICF, which aims to enhance the quality and diversity of choral music education and to better cater for the needs of music teachers and conductors on the journey of choral music.
Virtual Choir Project
HKICF is committed to promoting choral music as a means of social engagement and empowerment.
