Welcome Concert 2025 - University Philharmonic Orchestra, HKUSTSU

THEME

Resonance: Echoes of the Past, Rhythms of Tomorrow

Rationale: For as long as music has existed, it has been used as a way to reflect feelings of joy, excitement, and happiness. In that vein, our 2025 Welcome Concert will mirror the emotions of the University Philharmonic Orchestra, HKUSTSU celebrating its 20th Anniversary with a theme of "Resonance." This theme will transport our audience members on a journey of commemoration of the past, anticipation of the future, and appreciation of the present.

PROGRAM

Georges Bizet | L’Arlésienne Suite No. 2 – Farandole

Edvard Grieg | "Peer Gynt Suite No. 1 – IV. In the Hall of the Mountain King"

Camille Saint-Saëns | Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 22

John Williams | Flying Theme From the Universal Picture E.T.

Nicola Piovani, arr. Demetrio Bonvecchio | La vita e bella

Joe Hisaishi | Spirited Away: One Summer's Day

Arturo Márquez | Danzón No. 2

Leigh Harline, arr. James Lai | When You Wish Upon a Star

Ramin Djawadi, arr. Kostis Paterakis | Game of Thrones

Lalo Schifrin, arr. Calvin Custer | Mission: Impossible Theme

Beyond, arr. Ken Cheng | 不再猶豫

ORGANIZER

University Philharmonic Orchestra, HKUSTSU

The University Philharmonic Orchestra (UPO) is a student-led society registered under the Student Union of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). Previously recognized as the HKUSTSU Wind Ensemble, UPO was officially founded in 2005 with the merger of the String and Wind Ensembles, and is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Since its founding, UPO has continued to grow as a culturally significant and community building group, allowing for students, alumni, and staff alike to pursue their passion for music and showcase their talents.

Committed to fostering musical growth, UPO nurtures the skills and artistry of its members through rehearsals, performances, and collaborations. The orchestra has been a featured performer at university events, including Outreach Day, orientation camps, and inauguration ceremonies. With a passion for sharing the joy of music, UPO continues to inspire and unite the HKUST community through its performances.

CONDUCTOR

Dr. Ken CHENG

From 1997 to 2005, Ken served as the conductor of the HKUSTSU Wind Ensemble, leading numerous exchange programs and organizing concerts of diverse styles and scales with an eclectic repertoire. In 2005, following the restructuring and merger of the Wind Ensemble and String Team, the present University Philharmonic Orchestra of HKUSTSU was formed, with Ken continuing to serve as its conductor. The orchestra performs regularly, featuring masterpieces such as the Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto, New World Symphony, Beethoven’s Symphony No.7, Brahms’ Symphonies No.1 and No.4, Tchaikovsky’s Symphonies No.4 and No.5, and the Enigma Variations. Besides conducting, Ken is actively engaged in music arrangement, with his works frequently selected for performance in both professional and academic settings. Over two consecutive summers, he conducted orchestra performances in Vienna—at the Vienna Boys' Choir concert hall in 2018 and the Musikverein in 2019. In 2023, he was honored to participate in the recording of the HKUST University Anthem and was invited to conduct an orchestral performance at the Variety Show commemorating the 74th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China, held at the Hong Kong Coliseum on October 1st. Additionally, Ken conducted the Anita Mui Orchestra Concert, a charity event in December 2023. Most recently, in May 2025, he performed at the grand opening musical segment of the HKUST Foundation Inaugural Gala Dinner.

STUDENT CONDUCTOR

Mr. James LAI

James Lai is a tubist, trombonist, and pianist. Since 2023, he has served as Principal Tubist of the University Philharmonic Orchestra and has performed with Amicis Sinfonia. He was also the Bass Part Leader of the University Choir from 2022 to 2024. In addition to his musical endeavours, Lai is currently undertaking an M.Phil. in Bioengineering at HKUST.

Lai’s passion for music was ignited at an early age by classic American cartoons. His formal musical journey began circa 2007 under the tutelage of Ms Win Shao, with whom he studied piano and ultimately gained ABRSM Grade 8 with distinction in 2016. During his secondary school years, Lai broadened his musical repertoire by learning low brass instruments under the mentorship of Mr Yongyut Tossponapinun. He played various roles within the school’s concert band, including as a keyboardist, tubist, euphoniumist, and trombonist.

In 2025, Lai had the honour of conducting the University Philharmonic Orchestra at the Joint-University Symphonic Night, organised by the University of Hong Kong. There, he directed Gustav Holst’s ‘Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity’ from The Planets Suite and Sir Edward Elgar’s ‘Imperial March’, amongst others.

PIANO SOLOIST

Prof. Ivan IP

Ivan is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mathematics at HKUST. Apart from academics, he also holds an L.T.C.L. diploma in piano performance, studied under Ms. Lam Ling, and has a rich musical background.

While pursuing his Ph.D. abroad, Ivan co-founded Yale University's Davenport Pops Orchestra (DPops) in 2005 and the Jonathon Edwards College Philharmonics (JECP) in 2008, where he played the violin. He also performed with Yale's Saybrook College Orchestra (SYO) in 2011 and DPops in 2012 as a guest pianist.

During his undergraduate years at HKUST, Ivan was a committee member and performer in both the Wind Ensemble (clarinet) and String Team (violin), which later became the University Philharmonic Orchestra (UPO) in 2005. Since returning to HKUST in 2018, he plays the viola for UPO and featured in the HKUST 30th Anniversary Music Video “This is My Dream,” as well as the HKUST School Anthem music video. He regularly performs as both a piano soloist and accompanist at UPO's annual mini concerts, and also held a lunch hour solo recital at Shaw Auditorium in 2023, showcasing piano pieces by Claude Debussy.

Ivan would like to dedicate this piano concerto to Aunty Rosalind, who introduced this wonderful piece to him 30 years ago.

REMARKS 備註

• Free admission
• Online registration is required
• Recommended for ages 4 and above
• Please arrive at the venue 15 minutes before the showtime
• Program duration is approximately 90 minutes, intermission included

• 免費入場
• 請預先網上報名
• 適合4歲以上
• 請於演出前15分鐘抵達場地
• 演出長約90分鐘，設中場休息