HONG KONG – A children’s musical blending orchestral performance, choir, and real-life stories of growth and family opened Thursday at the East Kowloon Cultural Centre, drawing a full house and a roster of celebrity supporters. The production, titled “Music Links,” is presented by the Music Children Foundation and will run for three shows from September 5 to 6 at the centre’s theatre in Kowloon Bay.
The musical assembles approximately 180 children from the foundation’s orchestra and choir. They are joined by special guest artist Cloud Wan (Cloud), who sings original songs that weave together the young performers’ authentic experiences with themes of growth, family, companionship, and hope.
At Thursday’s matinee premiere, actors Chan Kwok-pong, Leung Yung-ting, as well as Cheng Tse-sing and his wife Lau Sin-yee, were spotted in the audience showing their support.
Foundation Founder on the Power of Collective Music-Making
Pang Chau-yin, founder of the Music Children Foundation, said the project’s core mission is connection. “Learning music together—playing in an ensemble, singing as a choir—is the happiest way,” she said. “This time, we have also connected students with their parents, adding harmony to the process. In fact, we hope to connect with the audience during the performance as well.”
Pang emphasized that the musical aims to bridge not only musical notes but also relationships, transforming individual practice into a shared, community-driven experience.
Cloud Wan: Striving for Balance Between Pop and Classical
Working with 180 young musicians proved both inspiring and humbling for Cloud Wan. She described the children as “highly professional,” noting they had dedicated their summer holidays to rehearsals.
“The songs are very challenging,” Wan explained. “I have to find a balance between pop music and classical music, while the children perform in a choral style. I’m actually afraid that my performance might disappoint them,” she said with a laugh.
Wan, who benefited from subsidized music education as a child through a similar foundation, said she felt especially happy to take part. “When I was young, I was also a beneficiary of a music organization that offered affordable lessons. So I’m very happy to join this event.”
Broader Impact and Next Steps
“Music Links” is the latest initiative by the Music Children Foundation, a Hong Kong non-profit that provides accessible music education to underprivileged children. By staging a large-scale public performance involving both students and professional artists, the foundation aims to demonstrate that music can serve as a powerful tool for social inclusion and family bonding.
Organisers plan to extend the programme into local schools and community centres, using the musical’s format to encourage more children to explore orchestral and choral training. For those unable to attend this week’s shows, the foundation will release behind-the-scenes footage and educational resources online, offering a glimpse into how young musicians can turn personal stories into public performances.
As the final curtain falls on Sunday, the message from stage to audience is clear: music, when shared, becomes more than art—it becomes a link between generations, backgrounds, and dreams.
