HONG KONG (SE): The Saint Francis University Choir held its inaugural concerts on May 23 and 25 at St Margaret Mary’s Church, Happy Valley, and St. Anne’s Church, Stanley, respectively, in honour of its patron, St. Francis of Assisi, and to mark the 800th anniversary of the Canticle of the Sun.
Entitled, Laudato Si’, the concerts also celebrated the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis, encyclical of the same name.
Formed in September 2024, the university’s choir offers students and staff an opportunity to perform a broad repertoire of choral music, with a particular focus on sacred pieces. It made its first appearance at the “Journey of Hope” musical tribute to Pope Francis in December, held at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in collaboration with other choirs. The 30-member ensemble rehearses every Wednesday evening at the university’s Tseung Kwan O campus.
The choir is preparing for a tour of Italy at the end of August, where it will sing in various churches in collaboration with local music academies. There is also the possibility of performing at the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi in Rome, honouring one of the choir’s patron saints alongside St. Francis Xavier and St. Francis de Sales.
To highlight the enduring legacy of St. Francis, the concert offered a musical journey exploring the beauty of creation as expressed in the Canticle of the Sun. The programme included nature-inspired pieces by renowned composers such as John Rutter and James MacMillan, with songs dedicated to Brother Sun, Sister Moon, Brother Wind, and Mother Earth. A local Cantonese hymn composed by Franciscan Brother William Ng also featured, bringing a uniquely Hong Kong flavour to the ancient theme.
The choir is preparing for a tour of Italy at the end of August, where it will sing in various churches in collaboration with local music academies
Professor Lo Tit-wing, acting president of Saint Francis University, praised the concert for its demonstration of teamwork and individual growth, particularly as several choir members had little prior choral experience. He described the performance as a testament to the university’s commitment to cultural exchange and its broader educational mission.
He also expressed his appreciation for the concert’s environmental and social themes, which align with the university’s values of inclusivity and support for students from underprivileged and lower-income backgrounds. He extended his gratitude to the government and donors for supporting the choir’s forthcoming journey to Italy.
Andrew Leung, the choir’s conductor, shared his joy at working with university-age singers for the first time. He expressed his hopes that the choir would extend its reach to wider audiences beyond Church settings, using music to inspire and unite communities.
“The choir aims to build members’ confidence and convey values through music, bridging diverse backgrounds while potentially sowing seeds of faith,” he said.
Giving audiences a rich musical experience, the choir performed songs in multiple languages. These included a Japanese piece reflecting on the memory of a lost loved one through the wind, and the Italian version of the Jubilee Year theme song, Pellegrini di Speranza [Pilgrims of Hope].
The choir aims to build members’ confidence and convey values through music, bridging diverse backgrounds while potentially sowing seeds of faith
Andrew Leung
“Multi-language singing posed challenges, especially the fast-paced pronunciation required in Italian,” Leung noted. “Despite language barriers, the Japanese song was particularly well loved for its melody and vivid imagery.” Among the evening’s repertoire, he found John Rutter’s For the Beauty of the Earth especially moving, remarking that its joyful melody helped the singers express the theme of glorifying the wonders of nature.
Pontifical Foreign Missions Father Fabio Favata, spiritual advisor and tenor in the choir, shared that he has long been a music enthusiast, having sung in his parish choir as a youth. Now, as a seasoned psychology lecturer, he finds joy in combining faith and music alongside students, most of whom are non-Catholic.
He sees the choir as a bridge for introducing Catholic traditions through music and expressed his delight at the choir’s accurate pronunciation in Italian.
The first concert in Happy Valley was attended by vicar general, Father Peter Choy Wai-man, and parish priest, Korean Mission Society Father Kim Yong-jae.
Father Choy praised the choir for their efforts in promoting the values and spirit of Franciscan teachings. “Despite being established only eight months ago, they have already demonstrated commendable skill and unity in embodying the university’s ideals through music, thanks to their dedication,” he remarked.
Father Kim warmly welcomed attendees, expressing joy that the concert coincided with the church’s centenary and gratitude for the donations that support the parish community.
