Conductor Laureate - Carl CHOI

Conductor Laureate

Carl CHOI

Appointed Music Director from 1997 - 2020

CHOI began his music studies with Mr. Ping-tong CHENG and clarinet playing with Messrs. Charles LEE and PAK Chit Man at his early ages. He graduated from the University of Hong Kong in 1989 majoring in Music. During his university years, CHOI studied clarinet with Maestro John Albert Koljonen; composition with Dr. Anne BOYD and Mr. Doming LAM; conducting with Messrs. Doming LAM and Jimmy CHAN; and also chamber music with Mr. Malcolm BUTLER.

CHOI has performed in various orchestras and bands, including China Philharmonic Orchestra, Hong Kong Chamber Orchestra, Hong Kong Symphony Orchestra, Hong Kong Symphonic Band and Guangzhou Wind Orchestra. CHOI is the founder of the Hong Kong Music Ambassadors, Hong Kong Festival Youth Wind Orchestra, the Macau Philharmonic Association and the Macau Wind Orchestra.

Hong Kong Festival Youth Wind Orchestra concert 2018

CHOI has been appointed Artistic Director for the Macau International Band Festival since 2000. Being an active committee member of the Hong Kong Band Directors Association, CHOI served as the Chairman of the first Hong Kong International Band Festival in 2005 and is awarded as the "Hong Kong Convention Ambassador 2003-2005" by the Hong Kong Tourism Board. CHOI also served as Music Director and Principal Conductor of the Hong Kong Festival Wind Orchestras and the Macau Wind Orchestra.

Being invited as the guest conductor of the Hong Kong Children's Choir, CHOI conducted the world premiere of the musical "Hong Kong Rocks" in 2004 celebrating its 35th Anniversary. As an instrumental advisor and music arranger, CHOI has successfully collaborated both Western and Chinese instrumental music with the Hong Kong Children's Choir and performed in Scotland, Germany and Hungary with high acclamation.

Enthusiastic in music education, CHOI is actively involved in conducting master-classes and workshops, and frequently being invited as adjudicator of various music competitions and guest conductor for various projects from recording to overseas tours. CHOI is keen on compositions and orchestral arrangements, he has published over hundred pieces for solos, ensembles and orchestras. In 1997, he was awarded "The Best Music Arrangement Award" for his contribution in arranging music for local schools. He has served as the conductor of the Hong Kong Baptist University Concert Band. He has also served as the Instrumental Director of the Good Hope School and the Diocesan Preparatory School Orchestra & Band. He has also organized orchestras, bands and ensembles for numerous local schools by providing technical and managerial support, such as Queen's College, Maryknoll Convent School, Ying Wah Girls' School, St. Mary's Canossian College and St. Paul's School. He gave numerous performances with his groups both locally and overseas including Australia, Japan, Korea and Taiwan.