HKADC Expresses Deepest Condolences over the Passing of Dr Yip Wai-hong, the Father of Children's Choir

Hong Kong Arts Development Council (HKADC) expresses deep sorrow over the passing of renowned composer and conductor Dr Yip Wai-hong and extends its deepest condolences to Dr Yip’s family. Lauded as "The Father of Children's Choir", Dr Yip passed away on 16 June.

Dr Yip has made enormous contributions to music development of Hong Kong for over 60 years and devoted wholeheartedly to promote music education for children. He founded Hong Kong Children’s Choir (HKCC) in 1969 and Yip's Children's Choral & Performing Arts Centre in 1983 with great support from Mrs Yip. Leading the choirs on overseas tours, Dr Yip made significant contributions to raise the level of children’s choral singing in Hong Kong.

In 1973, Dr Yip set up the Music and Fine Arts Department at Hong Kong Baptist University to nurture local music talents. He later established the Pan Asia Symphony Orchestra and the Hong Kong Children's Symphony Orchestra, serving as music director and conductor. The orchestras offer a platform for young musicians to perform and showcase their talents, and help usher in a golden era of music education and promotion in Hong Kong.

Dr Yip’s achievements have been widely recognised. He received various awards and honours for his monumental accomplishments and contributions to the music sector, including the CASH Hall of Fame Award (2017) conferred by the Composers and Authors Society of Hong Kong, the Bronze Bauhinia Star (2011) and the Silver Bauhinia Star (2021) bestowed by the HKSAR Government and the Life Achievement Award of the 17^th edition of the Hong Kong Arts Development Awards in 2023.

Dr Yip strived to achieve holistic education through fostering children’s music education. For years, Dr Yip cultivated generations of talents, many of whom had great achievements in the music sector. His devotion to music has popularised music education, raised Hong Kong’s cultural level and expanded the audience and supporters of classical music. His departure is indisputably a great loss to the Hong Kong music sector, and his accomplishments and devotion to the arts will be long remembered.