One man’s passion gives Hong Kong’s young musicians a lesson in multicultural creation
After 36 years in the civil service, Gordon Sui Kwing-chue founded the Music for Our Youth Foundation, which explores the orchestral possibilities of combining eastern and western influences with the city’s underprivileged youth
Gordon Siu Kwing-chue has come full circle, picking up where he left off before his 36-year-long career in the civil service.
He was concertmaster at the Hong Kong Youth Orchestra in 1966, but by 1988 he was the city’s Postmaster General.
His career in the government continued to flourish over the years, first being promoted to the head of economic services, then transport, and, after the 1997 handover, Central Policy Unit. He was Secretary for Planning, Environment & Lands when he retired in 2002 at age 56. In retirement however, he has returned to his passion: music.
“It’s almost like fate that has got me back to music after three decades,” Siu said.
Siu established the Music for Our Young Foundation (MOY) in 2009 and now spends his days leading and conducting the organisation’s two orchestras.
But it wasn’t out of chance that he found himself back in the music world after so many years with the civil service. Siu maintained his connection to the industry by performing with the Hong Kong Youth Orchestra and coaching youngsters under the management of Margaret Money, a dynamic music teacher and performer from Scotland.