About the Programme 

The hand-made pipe organ, by Austrian manufacturer Rieger Orgelbau, is the most sparkling star in the magnificent Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall.  With 4 manuals, 93 stops and 8 000 pipes, this "King of the Instruments" is one of the largest mechanically operated instruments of its kind in the Southeast Asia.

To expose students to this pipe organ's powerful territory of sounds and tone colours, Hong Kong Cultural Centre has invited two outstanding local organists, Marsha CHOW and Gary Tong, to host this education concert.  They will illustrate the origin and development, the structure of Hong Kong Cultural Centre's pipe organ with audio-visual displays as well as different musical styles and tonal families of pipe organ through live demonstrations.  The hosts will also demonstrate the power and beauty of the magnificent pipe organ to enable students’ better appreciation of organ music and stimulate their interest in this "King of the Instruments".

About the Artist

Chow Man-shan, Marsha

Chow obtained her bachelor degree in Music, majoring in Organ at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, and furthered her pursuit of organ music at the Royal College of Music in London where she was awarded the Walford Davies Prize and her master degree.  During her studies in London, Chow gave a number of public performances, including the organ recital in the London Handel Festival in Hanover Square and the concert series at St Michael's, Cornhill.   Chow was also the organ scholar at Bromley Parish Church.

Chow has great passion on a wide range of organ repertoires.  Since her return to Hong Kong, Chow has been closely working with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra and The Sacred Singers as a freelance musician.  Chow also actively involved in concerts, workshops, tours and events in promoting sacred music with the Hong Kong Church Music Association.  Chow currently serves as the organist and choir conductor of the Oi Kwan Road Baptist Church.

Tong Chin-wong, Gary

Tong obtained his Music Diploma in Piano Performance at the Mount Royal College and LTCL performance diploma in organ from Trinity College London.  Tong received his Bachelor of Music degree at the University of Calgary and Master of Music degree at the University of Alberta, Canada, majoring in organ performance and minoring in choral conducting.  Tong was the semi-finalist of the Royal Bank Calgary International Organ Festival and Competition in 2002 and the second prize winner of the Royal Canadian College of Organists National Playing Competition in 2003.   Tong was also the president of the Royal Canadian College of Organists Calgary Center and assistant organist at Christ Church (Anglican) in Calgary.   He was invited to give organ solo recitals in different venues.

Since his return to Hong Kong, Tong focused on promoting organ music and church music ministry.alHe is currently the music director cum organist of the Methodist International Church, Hong Kong, conductor of the Christian Choir, The Hong Kong University Students' Union, organ tutor at local churches and freelance accompanist for professional musicians and choirs.