Hong Kong LGBTQ choir The Harmonics to hold ‘World of Colour’ concert celebrating city’s diversity
- The performance, with dates on December 2 and 9, features everything from Cantopop hits to songs in Mandarin and Haitian Creole
- The Harmonics Choir is a safe space for anyone who identifies as LGBTQ or allies to this community – and for all who love to sing
The Harmonics will hold their annual concert on December 2 and 9 at the Methodist International Church. Photo: HandoutThe Harmonics Choir Hong Kong, the city’s largest and most inclusive music group of LGBTQ individuals and allies, is celebrating diversity with its annual concert, “A World of Colour”, featuring everything from Cantonese pop hits to songs in Mandarin and Haitian Creole.
“The title not only hints at the colours on the pride flag, but the full spectrum of society we want to celebrate – from gender to sexuality to culture,” said Lily Lu, chairperson of the choir. “We want to bring awareness to the fact that we are a very diverse city. We should celebrate that and have more [cultural] exchanges.”
One way The Harmonics is showcasing this diversity is through the guest choirs it has invited to perform at the show. This year, the audience will be able to hear the African Union Chorale, BSharp Choir, which consists of alumni from Bishop Hall Jubilee School, as well as Elements Choir, an LGBT-friendly youth choir.
While many people in The Harmonics identify as LGBTQ, it’s not a requirement. “The choir is a safe space for anyone who feels like an outcast or doesn’t know who they are. If they are passionate about music or want to learn about singing, anyone with any amount of experience is allowed to join,” Lu said.
One of the most popular Harmonics singers from last year’s concert, Ray Yumul, will delight audiences at this year’s show with his solo voice.
“While I’m grateful to do solos, the reasons why I joined the choir are beyond that,” Yumul said. “It’s about becoming part of something beyond yourself. Lots of people think you need to shine [as an individual], but choir music is all about singing as one and sharing a voice.”
Spotlighting Hong Kong’s LGBTQ+ community with ‘Only a Girl’
The event arrives just a few weeks after The Harmonics’ performance at LGBTQ event Pink Dot Hong Kong 2022, where they joined local songwriter Serrini in a rendition of her song Pink Song. The group will perform a choral version of the piece at their annual concert, in addition to another one of Serrini’s hits, Don’t Text Him!
Enoch Wong, music director and conductor of The Harmonics Choir Hong Kong, said: “Hong Kong is healing. We have had some very difficult years. Some communities, such as our LGBTQ and allies choral group, could not meet for many months due to the different events affecting the city. But we are ready to take flight again and sing in harmony.”
He added: “The Harmonics is excited to provide a voice from within the LGBTQ community to love our city, love other communities in Hong Kong who also need to be heard, and, of course, put a world-class, international choral music experience in front of local audiences, enriching their daily lives and cultural awareness.”
In addition to their annual concert, the group will hold a Charity Concert at Kowloon Union Church on Sunday, December 18. All proceeds from the show will be donated to the church’s refugee programme.
The Harmonics Choir Hong Kong presents: “A World of Colour” annual concert
Dates: December 2 and December 9 (Friday)
Time: 7.30pm
Tickets: https://www.art-mate.net/doc/64443
Venue: Methodist International Church (1st floor, the Sanctuary), Wan Chai