Hong Kong Youth Handbell Ensemble

Hong Kong Youth Handbell Ensemble (HKYHE) was founded in 2005 by the Hong Kong Handbell Academy. HKYHE aims to find potential handbell talents and provide them with systematic and strict training. Here young performers can learn the essential techniques of handbell performing, and receiving training to become the new generation of expert handbell performers. Currently, there are over 70 ringers in the Hong Kong Youth Ensemble. HKYHE is led by the artistic director, Ms. Emily Li with other conductors, Miss Joyce Lo, Ms. Helen Lam, Miss Julie Chuck and Miss Mandy Lau.

HKYHE has been invited by various organizations to participate in local performances, oversea exchange events as well as program shooting in many public occasions. In 2009, HKYHE was invited by the TVB to perform with celebrity singers in the “512 Charity Concert”. In 2010, the ensemble performed at the fund-raising concert organized by the Open University of Hong Kong. In 2011, it was invited by the Hong Kong Adventist Hospital Foundation to perform at the charity gala concert for two times. HKYHE worked the Concerto of Handbell with the Millennium Youth Orchestra in 2012, and performed at the opening ceremony of the TOYP Hong Kong Awards. In 2013, HKYHE was invited by the A.S. Watson Group and the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong to perform at the Hong Kong Student Sport Awards Ceremony, and the event of the Olympic Day Run. Since 2010, HKYHE performed for the Hong Kong Handbell Festival concert every year, winning high praise from the audience.

Apart from local cultural events and charity performances, HKYHE also travelled to many countries, including Australia, the United States, Singapore, Japan and etc. Since 2006, the ensemble has participated every session of the biennial International Handbell Symposium. Represented Hong Kong, HKYHE held their first solo concert on the 15th International Handbell Symposium in 2012. Their lively interpretation and sophisticated performing skills gained lauds from professional conductors as well as the audience. In addition, the Youth Ensemble was also invited by various organizations to perform handbell ringing. During the summer vacation in 2013, the HKYHE travelled to Guangzhou and held a joint concert with Guangzhou Baroque Orchestra and Choir. On the same year, the ensemble was invited by the Handbell Musicians of America to performe at the closing ceremony in front of the world’s best handbell performers in the National Handbell Seminar in Portland. Their performance received rounds of applauses from expert conductors and the audience, promoting Hong Kong Handbell performing art on the global stage.

HKYHE also encourages their ringers to take a part in local and oversea exchange events to gain learning opportunities through music and art interchanges. Such experience may help them to understand different forms of arts and different cultures, which in turn may improve their performance. Meanwhile, each from these activities, individual student may obtain learning expertise that facilitate them to understand the significance of team spirit and rigorous working attitudes. These are all valuable lessons to prepare themselves before gaining real world experiences.