Hok Kwan, violin and conductor

HOK KWAN, violinist & conductor

Hok Kwan has received, from musicians who played under his direction,   remarks such as the following: “People here are still talking about our concert...From everywhere it is nothing but a most positive response. Somehow you worked magic with us.”

In Hok’s debut concert in April, 2007 with Nova Sinfonia in Halifax, music critics gave Hok rave reviews, ”Nova Sinfonia, under guest conductor/violinist Hok Kwan, gave Rimsky-Korsakov a run for his money with its performance of his barn-burning symphonic suite, Scheherazade...Kwan conducted the orchestra throughout the evening with vigorous tempi and thoughtful control of phrasing.” Also, “Kwan played the scintillating solo violin part in the Winter Concerto from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and also conducted it.”

Native of Hong Kong, concert violinist and conductor Hok Kwan was the sole recipient of double scholarships to study under David Takeno in Guildhall School of Music in London, England. He has performed, recorded, and has been featured on television and radio as concerto soloist and conductor on three continents. He also possesses valuable experience and knowledge in building orchestras. The Hong Kong Sinfonietta, which was co-founded by Hok in 1991, has established itself as the only other fully professional symphony orchestra in Hong Kong.

Hok is also an experienced violin teacher, clinician, and adjudicator. Presently he is the music director of Alto Mare Orchestra based in Saint John, New Brunswick, and the concertmaster of Prince Edward Island Symphony Orchestra. Most recently, he has co-founded a new orchestra named T.I.M.E. (The Independent Music Ensemble).

Apart from the musical scene, Hok is also active in other areas of the community. He, together with his wife, created the Saint John Chinese Christian Ministries in 2003 and has served as Volunteer Pastor until the present. He was also President of Campus Ministry of University of New Brunswick, Saint John from 2006-2008.

Hok has been invited to conduct the Saint John Pops on Canada Day this year during the Grand Finale prior to the Fireworks celebrations in the evening. His upcoming solo engagements include a performance of the entire Four Seasons Violin Concertos byVivaldi with the Prince Edward Island Symphony Orchestra in April, 2009 when he will be both the violin soloist and the conductor.

(902) 892-4333

For more information, contact: Annette Campbell

© Katie Legere 2005 click to send comments