Winter Concert 2025 - University Philharmonic Orchestra, HKUSTSU

THEME

A Journey Through Time and Space

This Winter Concert is more than just a celebration of Christmas; it takes audiences on a musical voyage across galaxies and time, with pieces ranging from Star Wars to Mozart. Through a carefully curated selection of orchestral works, we will guide listeners from the mysterious vastness of outer space to the grandeur of bygone eras. This time, we feature a collaboration with the Hong Kong Generative AI Research and Development Center, uniting live orchestral performance with real-time EEG and AI to transform emotion into a shared, visual landscape.

Join us for a melody-filled evening as we embark on “A Journey Through Time and Space”.

PROGRAM

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky | Finale from 1812 Overture , Op. 49

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Allegro Maestoso from The Piano Concerto No. 21 in C major, K. 467

Giuseppe Verdi, arr. David Stone | Grand March from Aida

Andrew Lloyd Webber, arr. Bob Lowden | Memory from Cats

Joseph Koo, arr. Ken Cheng | Below the Lion Rock

Antonio Vivaldi | Violin Concerto No. 4 in F minor, Op. 8, RV 297,
‘Winter’ from “The Four Seasons”

John Williams | Star Wars Suite for Orchestra

ONLINE REGISTRATION 網上登記

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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.

VIOLIN SOLOIST

WONG Pui Ying

Wong Pui Ying was born in 2004 in Hong Kong. She began learning the violin at the age of four and was under the tutelage of Ms. Lo Kwok Yan in Yip’s Children’s Choral and Performing Arts Centre since 2014. She is now studying with world-renowned Professor Boris Kuschnir at the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz.

In 2013, not only was Wong nominated to be the spokesperson for the 2013 Beijing International Youth Music Festival, but she also joined the World Chinese Musician Association as the youngest member in the same year. She continued to succeed and was the winner in the Fifth China Conservatory of Music Society National Competition, Grade 10. In 2014, she obtained Licentiate Diploma for violin performance, issued by Trinity College London. A year later, Wong was honoured to be the overall champion of the Second Hong Kong International Music Festival Competition. Wong also received first prize in the 68th Hong Kong Schools Music Festival, violin concerto age 19 or under category. Wong even received second prize in the 69th Hong Kong Schools Music Festival, Hong Kong Strings Scholarship category. In May 2017, Wong have won the first prize of category A of the VII International Yampolsky Violin Competition. In May 2018, Wong has won first prize of junior group of the IV Yankelevitch International Violin Competition. In Sep 2019, Wong has won the second prize of group B of the 3rd Zhuhai Mozart International Violin Competition. She has also received the best Chinese repertoire prize. In Sep 2019, Wong received a commendation by Ymission. In Jan 2020, Wong received the commendation by the Secretary for Home Affairs’ of Hong Kong for making outstanding achievements in international arts and cultural activities.

Wong has had opportunities to work with different orchestras, including New Hong Kong Symphony Orchestra, Guangxi Orchestra, Pan Asia Symphony Orchestra and the Hong Kong Children’s Symphony Orchestra. Following her performance in the Hong Kong International Music Festival, Wong has been invited by Dr. German Gutierrez to perform with Texas Christian University and the Fort Worth Youth Orchestra in the US.

PIANO SOLOIST

Andrew Sebastian WIJAYA

Andrew is a third-year aerospace engineering student at HKUST. He started learning piano at the age of five and has continuously nurtured his love for music alongside his academics.

His musical journey became more serious in high school when he was elected President of his high school orchestra club. This experience helped him develop his music composition skills and deepened his emotional connection with music.

While pursuing his undergraduate degree at HKUST, Andrew also participated in the University Philharmonic Orchestra (UPO) as a contrabassist. He performed with the UPO in the 2024 annual concert, playing Dvořák’s famous Symphony No. 9. In 2025, he also performed two Beethoven overtures with the orchestra: the Egmont Overture and the Coriolan Overture.

Andrew would like to dedicate this piece to his mother, Jenny Mardono, and his friend Jennifer, for their relentless support despite the struggles he has faced in his pursuit of music.

SPONSORED BY

Ms. Edith SHIH

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 135 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135分鐘，設中場休息