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SCMP Reporter

Music students from a secondary school hit the right note with a fund-raising tour of South Africa.

  The tour comprised 40 members and eight staff from the orchestra and jazz band of King George V School.

  The musicians performed 10 concerts in cities throughout South Africa, including Cape Town, Durban, Pietermaritzburg, Skukuza, Johannesburg and Pretoria.

  'Our goal was to perform music to as many people as possible since we were doing fund- raising concerts for the local charities and societies,' said Tim Chapman, the school's head of music.

  'People there are poor materially, but rich spiritually,' he said.

  'They feel contented and enjoy their lives very much.'   The students also performed in a township school and in a Zulu village.

  'The tour not only provided a chance for musical exchange, but also for cultural exchange,' Mr Chapman said.

   Perry So Pak-kin, a student who plays the piano, French horn, violin and organ, said the tour was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. 'We saw so much during our 12-day visit.

  'We are so privileged when compared with those who are living in very bad conditions, with no contact with the outside world,' the 16-year-old said.

  'It's also a good experience to be exposed to other cultures, which prepares us to be mature musicians.'   The Hong Kong musicians received an enthusiastic welcome from the South Africans, Mr Chapman said.

  'When we performed in a township school, thousands of students came forward clapping and singing with us and dancing around us, which was very touching.

  'When we performed in a girls' high school in Pietermaritzburg, a 250-strong choir joined the orchestra.'   Perry was impressed by the Africans' musical ability.

  'Mainly using drums and their voices, their music is amazing. I think they are very influenced by Western hymn singing,' he said.

  The Year 12 student said he enjoyed the feeling of being part of a team, working and living together.

  ' We are now getting to know each other very well.'   Year 12 student Theresa Kwok Xue-si, 16, who plays the violin, said the natural environment and the South African music impressed her most.

  'The people in the Zulu village gave us a traditional greeting, wearing traditional costumes, singing traditional songs and dancing to their beats. I found the people there were musically talented,' she said.

  'They have strong rhythm and they just sing their hearts out, which is very raw but touching.'   The trip was a useful experience, Mr Chapman said.

  'Although I don't know how much money we have raised, it was a meaningful tour for us all.' 



African tour hits right note