ACTIVITIES
40 SPCCAA
Benjamin Lee (1971)
“The Future of Nepal”
Fundraising Concert
On 25 April 2015, a devastating earthquake of Richter
magnitude scale 7.8 struck the bustling Nepali capital of
Kathmandu in the morning. The whole city and its adjoining
suburbs turned into rubbles and wreckage. People lost
their homes, some tourists lost their lives and the ancient
monuments were brought down into ashes in split seconds.
The earthquake killed thousands and demolished more
than half a million homes. The number of people killed has
surpassed 8,500, making the disaster the deadliest to hit the
Himalayan country on record.
The devastation was astounding, but the response to the call
for action was equally resounding. Under the baton of our
charismatic conductor and guest baritone soloist, Mr Apollo
Wong (1997) and guest pianist Dr Amy Sze (1995), the St.
Paul’s Co-educational College Alumni Choir (SPCCAC) and
Alumni Orchestra (SPCCAO) have come together with the
Learners Chorus and the Hong Kong Christian Council to
present “The Future of Nepal” Fundraising Concert in less than
two weeks after the shattering earthquake and aftershocks in
Nepal. It was not the first time that the Learners Chorus and
the SPCCAC sang together for fundraising charity in support of
disasters worldwide. Back in 2010, we collaborated in hosting
a fundraising concert for rebuilding orphanages damaged in
another devastating earthquake that struck Yushu, Qinghai.
The concert was held on 25 May 2015 in the Sanctuary of
the China Congregational Church in Causeway Bay. Despite
the fact that it was the Vesak Day and public holiday, more
than 60 SPCC alumni sacrificed their time with family and
performed in this charity event under the melting sun in the
heart of Causeway Bay.
The SPCCAC presented Whitacre’s “The Seal Lullaby”,
Lauridsen’s “Sure on this Shining Night”, Rutter’s “Dashing
Away with the Smoothing Iron” and Offenbach’s “Neighbour’s
Chorus”; while the SPCCAO performed Vivaldi’s “L’Estro
Armonico”. The event was brought to a climax when Apollo
performed “Stars” from “Les Misérables” with his captivating
voice. The concert was then concluded with all performing
groups joined together on the stage and sang Mozart’s “Ave
Verum Corpus”, and Faure’s “Requiem in D minor, VI. Libera
Me” as finale.
The concert was a huge success. It was a concerted effort of
all performing groups and the joint organising committee of
the Learners Chorus and SPCCAC. Needless to say, it was
hard work for all, but it was all worthwhile as more than
HKD150,000 was raised through ticket sales and donation.
We would like to thank all the audience who came to the
concert, and those who contributed to the success of the event.
