The Hong Kong Philharmonic Society Board Elects New Chairman

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[4 November 2014, Hong Kong]The Hong Kong Philharmonic Society Limited (HK Phil) announces today that Mr Jack So Chak Kwong, GBS, OBE, JP has been elected the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the HK Phil. He has been a board member since 2007 and Vice Chairman since 2010.

Mr So’s career began with the Hong Kong Government and he joined the private sector in 1978, having held various senior positions in stockbroking, banking and property development. He assumed the chairmanship of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council in 2007. He also served as Chairman of the Hong Kong Film Development Council from April 2007 to March 2013. A Justice of the Peace, Mr So was awarded the Golden Bauhinia Star by the Hong Kong SAR Government in 2011. In the same year, he received an Honorary Doctorate in Social Science from the University of Hong Kong. He also holds a number of roles in the public service and private sectors.

"It is my great honour and pleasure to be elected as Chairman of the HK Phil, our very own, locally-based but truly global orchestra”, said Mr Jack So. “I’m excited to lead the Society in its mission to inspire and expand musical appreciation in Hong Kong and beyond, to bring distinction to the musical world through its enriching performances, and to enhance its international standing.”

The Board of Governors and Chief Executive Michael MacLeod said, “The HK Phil is privileged to have Mr Jack So as the new Chairman of its Board of Governors. In the coming months, the HK Phil will be performing and recording Das Rheingold, the first opera in Wagner’s epic Ring Cycle, followed by a tour to Europe’s greatest cities this season. We look forward to working closely with Mr So in taking the orchestra to further new heights. We would also like to take the opportunity to express our deepest gratitude to Mr Y. S. Liu for his dedication and significant contribution to the HK Phil during his six years of chairmanship.”

Mr Y. S. Liu, MH, and board member Mrs Janice Choi, MH, were elected by the Board to be Vice Chairmen.

Three new members joined the Board of Governors as appointees of the Government of the Hong Kong SAR:
Dr Joshua Chan Kam-biu
Mr Douglas So
Dr John Yeung Hin-chung, SBS, OBE, JP

[Bio of Mr Jack So]

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Mr Jack So, GBS, OBE, JP

Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra
Music Director: Jaap van Zweden

The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HK Phil) is the city’s largest and busiest musical organisation and is a vital part of Hong Kong’s cultural life. With its roots stretching back well over a century, the HK Phil made its professional début in 1974. It has now evolved into an orchestral powerhouse in the region, and an acclaimed cultural centrepiece of Asia’s World City.

The HK Phil is formed on the belief that a great city deserves a great orchestra. Annually it presents over 150 concerts attracting 200,000 music lovers. Through its acclaimed education programme, over 40,000 young people have learned about orchestral music last year. Featuring an enviable roster of international conductors and soloists, the HK Phil performs a broad variety of music, with many concerts presented free; among them the annual Swire Symphony Under The Stars.

The Swire Group has been the Principal Patron of the HK Phil since 2006. Through this sponsorship, which is the largest in the orchestra’s history, Swire also endeavours to promote artistic excellence, provide access and stimulate cultural participation in Hong Kong, and to enhance Hong Kong’s reputation as one of the great cities of the world.

The HK Phil’s members come from every corner of the globe, with a strong core of Hong Kong musicians. In September 2012 Jaap van Zweden became the orchestra’s Music Director. Future years will see an ambitious series of new projects, with major international tours, renewed local partnerships and large-scale concert events. The HK Phil has commenced a multi-CD recording project for Naxos featuring works by Chinese composers.
 

The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra is financially supported by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
SWIRE is the Principal Patron of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra
The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra is a Venue Partner of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre

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