Building a Successful Career in Music
Cultivating Your Personal Artistic Voice in a Multidisciplinary, Creative, and Global Environment
Content of School Leaflet
In a rapidly growing performing arts landscape in Hong Kong, the demand for talented individuals in the field continues to rise. The School of Music strives to create a vibrant and nurturing environment where aspiring musicians can develop their artistic talents, refine their skills, and prepare for successful careers in the global music industry. With a world-class faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, international collaborations, and a commitment to excellence, we are dedicated to fostering the next generation of music professionals who will make a significant impact on the world stage.
The Bachelor of Music (Honours) programme has been designed to meet the industry's requirements and expectations for new talent. As a student, you will engage in comprehensive aural training and consolidate your knowledge of music theory. You will have the opportunity to specialise in Western or Chinese instruments, vocal music, composition, and electronic music, and you can choose conducting and cultural leadership as a second specialisation in Years 3 and 4. Additionally, the programme offers a wide range of electives, including Jazz Improvisation, Contemporary and Intercultural ensembles, Medieval music history, and Music Therapy.
To provide comprehensive performing arts training, the School of Music offers unique courses such as "Concert Practice" and "Composers' Seminar," where students perform and showcase their work weekly. You can engage in solo performances, chamber music, instrumental and vocal ensembles, choral and orchestral performances, as well as collaborate with students from the Schools of Chinese Opera, Dance, Drama, Film and Television, and Theatre and Entertainment Arts on interdisciplinary and multimedia projects, including an annual fully staged opera production.
Faculty and Visiting Artists
The School of Music boasts world-class faculty members from Asia, America, and Europe, complemented by an impressive roster of international visiting artists each semester. Led by the internationally renowned pianist and composer Dr Iñaki Sandoval, our faculty includes Prof. Gabriel Kwok, Head of Keyboard Studies; Prof. Clarence Mak, Head of Composition and Electronic Music; Prof. Christopher Pak, Head of Academic Studies in Music; Prof. Ray Wang, Head of Strings; Prof. Yiu Song-lam, Head of Woodwind, Brass and Percussion; Prof. Nancy Yuen, Head of Vocal Studies; and Ms Zhang Chongxue, Head of Chinese Music, along with many other outstanding faculty members across all departments.
Visiting artists deliver masterclasses, offer individual and group lessons, and provide guidance to instrumental and vocal ensembles and orchestras. Notable musicians who have collaborated with the School of Music in recent years include cellist Yo-Yo Ma, pianist Aquiles Delle Vigne, violinist Cho-Liang Lin, former Music Director of Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra Jaap van Zweden, Artistic Director and Principal Conductor for Life of Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra Prof. Yan Huichang, composer and former Chairman of the International Society of Contemporary Music Prof. Richard Tsang, operatic soprano Nelly Miricioiu, Principal Flute of the Orchestre de Paris Vincent Lucas, Jeff Nelson of Canadian Brass, renowned percussionist Evelyn Glennie, Guzheng player Wei Jun, Chaozhou Gongs and Drums player Chen Zuohui, Chinese woodwind instruments and Cantonese music master Chen Fangyi, among many others.
Facilities
With seven halls of varying sizes, ranging from the intimate Recital Hall to the grand Lyric Theatre with 1500 seats, Composition Studios and Music Technology Labs, our performance venues and teaching facilities are among the highlights of HKAPA. Equipped with a wide variety of musical instruments, including Steinway grand pianos, valuable string instruments, percussion instruments, Chinese musical instruments, Baroque instruments, and a magnificent pipe organ made by Rieger in Austria and more, our facilities provide students with professional-grade resources for their performances and practice sessions.
The School of Music offers exchange programmes with leading international music conservatories and universities worldwide. Students can apply for formal exchange studies at these institutions, and short-term exchange projects are frequently arranged. These programmes enable you to gain a global and regional perspective on the performing arts industry.
In addition to on-campus performances, students are encouraged to participate in external performances and productions spanned across diverse geographical locations, including concerts in the Mainland, Asia, Europe, and the United States. Below are some of the highlights:
- The Lincoln Center Chamber Music Society and the Academy Chamber Music Week bringing international students to exchange with the Academy students and chamber groups (2023)
- String students performing in the Shanghai Spring International Music Festival 2023
- Academy Chinese Music Ensemble participating in the Opening Concert of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area's 4th International Music Festival (2023)
- The Academy Wind Chamber Ensemble winning the first prize in the 2019 Thailand International Wind Symphony Competition Open Class (Small Wind Ensemble Class)
The School of Music’s alumni have succeeded remarkably in their respective fields. Some notable graduates include:
- Xiong Yin (Cello): member of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra
- Liu Tung-bo (Bassoon): Principal Bassoon, Hong Kong Sinfonietta
- Wong Sum-ho (Gaohu): Co-Huqin Principal and Gaohu Principal, Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra
- Wu Pak-tuen (Chinese Conducting): Associate Conductor in Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra
- Lio Kuokman (Western Conducting): Hong Kong Arts Development Awards 2022, Artist of the Year (Music)
- Bobby Cheng Chi-yuen (Oboe): Hong Kong Arts Development Awards 2022, Award for Young Artist (Music)
- Rachel Cheung (Piano): Hong Kong Arts Development Awards 2018, Artist of the Year (Music)
- Chan Ming-chi (Composition): Hong Kong Arts Development Awards 2017, Artist of the Year (Music)
- Ma Wai-him (Suona): Hong Kong Arts Development Awards 2016, Award for Young Artist (Music)
Outstanding achievement of our faculty includes:
- Prof. Nancy Yuen awarded as one of the Distinguished Individuals with Outstanding Contribution to the Development of Arts and Culture as well as Creative Industries under the SCST’s Commendation Scheme of the HKSAR Government in 2023
Outstanding achievement of our faculty includes:
- Michelle Siu Hoi-yan (Voice): “Touching China 2023 Awards” by CCTV
- Ivan Cheung (Bass Trombone): 1st prize, International Trombone Association’s Edward Kleinhammer Orchestral Bass Trombone Competition 2022
Whether locally or internationally, the School of Music graduates have been appointed to positions in various professional areas of music at different levels, such as the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, Hong Kong Sinfonietta, Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, Music Office of the HKSAR Government, etc. as full-time performers or teachers. Since the introduction of the Master of Music programme in 2006, more and more graduates who have pursued further postgraduate training have been appointed as faculty members in leading conservatories and universities, particularly for institutions around the Greater Bay Area (GBA). Several other graduates have become eminent performers as soloists or in orchestras overseas, or as accompanists, pedagogues, composers, recording or arts administrators.
Established in 2022 and directed by the Academy with the support of the Swire Group as Founding Patron, the Greater Bay Area Youth Orchestra (GBAYO) aspires to be one of the finest youth orchestras in the world. It aims to provide a platform for the highest standard of classical orchestral performance in GBA by offering world-class musicians professional training and coaching to talented young musicians across the region. In collaboration with the Xinghai Conservatory and the Macau Youth Orchestra, the GBAYO Training Camp and Concert Tour were launched in 2023, featuring music students from the Greater Bay Area, directed by world-class coaches.
Community Engagement and Outreach
The School of Music is committed to engaging with the local community and promoting the appreciation of music and the performing arts. Our students and faculty actively participate in outreach programmes, including performances in schools, hospitals, and community centres and collaborations with local arts organisations.
As one of the leading higher education institutions in performing arts in the world, the School of Music’s faculty and students have actively engaged in practice-led research activities that enrich their knowledge of the profession as they inquire and research to broaden their vision and insight into embracing cultural lives and issues, locally and internationally. Faculty members have frequently been invited to present masterclasses and lectures in major performing arts institutions and professional conferences worldwide. Undergraduate students are required to present an Honours Portfolio as part of the graduation requirements. Postgraduate students are required to present a Lecture Recital or Lecture Demonstration as part of their postgraduate Thesis. Such research components will enable students to develop and advance in research skills that are pivotal for grounding informed music practitioners of performing arts. The faculty and students will also have opportunities to develop interdisciplinary research projects with colleagues from the other HKAPA Schools and departments. Research funding is also available for application to support research activities.
Master of Music
Major Study
> Performance
> Conducting
> Composition
Bachelor of Music (Honours)
Major Study
> Performance
> Composition and Electronic Music
Diploma in Music Foundations
(Feeder Programme to Undergraduate Programme)
Major Study
> Performance
> Composition
Programme Enquiry: (852) 2584 8623 | music@hkapa.edu