CENTENARY
CELEBRATIONS
14 SPCCAA
Warren Lee (1994)
The Centenary Concert: AMusical Treat
“Musical Treat by St. Paul’s Co-educational College: A Splendid Concert”
was the heading of the review, published on South China Morning Post on
20 October 1950. It was SPCC’s first-ever public concert.
It is surreal that the same words find their rightful places in my recollection of
the Centenary Concert, over six decades on. My view is of course, naturally
but unashamedly biased, and I make no apology for it. I share in the joy and
take pride in being a music-loving St. Paulian, both as a student years ago
and as a “torch-bearing”Music Director today.
The planning for this “concert-of-the-century” went as far back as 24
months ago, when the idea of celebrating the Centenary by rejoicing in
music was met with enthusiasm and unequivocal approval by the Centenary
Celebrations Committee. We quickly plotted the idea of commissioning a
major work to commemorate the occasion. On my wish list then was a work
that could feature the orchestra as well as double choruses, so that students
from both primary and secondary schools could share the stage with alumni.
I also longed for a set of text that is both meaningful and relevant to our
alma mater. Though there seemed to be a lot to ask for, I knew just the man I
had to speak to: Mark Hayes, a good friend of mine and of SPCC’s.
Coined as the modern-day Mozart by some because of his impressive
catalogue of over 1,000 choral works, Mark Hayes is a household name in
the choral community all over the world, and is no stranger to the SPCC
community. He had written the anthem,
I Will Lift My Eyes
, in celebration
of our 95
th
anniversary; and also recently served as our Composer-in-
Dr Anissa Chan, Dr Moses Cheng and Mr Warren Lee with all performers of the Centenary Concert.
Mr Warren Lee, music director of SPCC.
