Media Pitching Case Sharing: HK Inter-School Choral Festival 2024 Virtual Choir - Love's Boundless Flight

The soothing power of music can heal the heart—just how far can this uplifting force travel? Since 2023, the Hong Kong Inter-School Choir Festival (HKICF) has partnered with various charities to organize virtual choir activities, spreading love and care through music. This year, HKICF proudly collaborates with New Sight, a charity co-founded by Hong Kong-born Dr. Joyce Samoutou-Wong and her husband, Mr. Henri Samoutou. The project has attracted 50 school and community choirs from Hong Kong, Mainland China, and Norway, with over 2,000 teachers and students participating. They were connected with students from the Republic of the Congo through the virtual choir project, making the soothing power of music transcend national boundaries and reaching the other side of the globe.

The theme song, "Love's Boundless Flight," composed by renowned jazz pianist Ms. Joyce Cheung, encapsulates the project's spirit with its lyrics: “Come on, let's join hands and feel the love around.” Through this song, the festival aims to support New Sight in establishing the first eye hospital in the Republic of the Congo.

Team Prologue is honored to be part of this year's "Borderless" project, coordinating media relations for the HKICF 2024 Premiere Screening of the Virtual Choir Performance and Documentary Video Project, as well as managing media reception and press releases.

Looking ahead, the virtual choir will launch a new campaign focused on mental health next year. They will collaborate with local charity "Mind HK" and invite "Every Life is a Song" as a supporting organization. Renowned musicians Ms. Vicky Fung and Mr. Chow Yiu Fai will create the theme song for this project, aiming to spread positive messages through music. Let’s look forward to another year of inspiring projects that weave together music and charitable endeavours!

HKICF's premiere screening of the Virtual Choir performance and documentary video project was held, with teachers and students from participating schools in attendance.

Feature Interviews:

The Standard - Choirs a sight for sore eyes 【Link】

RTHK In the Common Room - Dr Joyce Samoutou (7 - 10 October 2024) 【Link】

RTHK In the Common Room - Kelvin Lau (19 - 23 August 2024)【Link】

Media coverages:

中通社Youtube 通視 - 香港醫生在剛果建起第一所眼科醫院　三國兩千名中小學生合唱支持【Link】

香港新聞網 - 香港醫生在剛果建起第一所眼科醫院　三國兩千名中小學生合唱支持【Link】

明報 Emily Online - 高永文憶兒時玩合唱團唱得好高音 「唔係普通歌嚟」【Link】

明校網 - 香港校際合唱節2024線上合唱團暨參加者成長短片首映禮【Link】

am730 - 歌聲助力香港醫生 於剛果興建眼科醫院【Link】

東周網 - 跨地域線上合唱團 聲援非洲建眼科醫院│政官莊【Link】

Parent Daily Facebook - 【#PDFun享】香港校際合唱節2024線上合唱團 破天荒跨國界連結四地逾二千師生【Link】

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2024 Virtual Choir Recap:

Over the past two editions, HKICF has provided filming and recording support to organizations involved in the virtual choir, helping them practise and record new songs based on training materials. This initiative connects various communities through music, offering students meaningful experiences and learning opportunities.

Let’s take a moment to reflect on this year's music video and the memorable moments from the premiere!

《Love’s Boundless Flight》

Music | Joyce Cheung

Lyrics | Kelvin H. Lau & Scott Murphy

Video Editor | Alan Cheng

Music Video | https://youtu.be/deCGkCs34qk

" Thanks to HKICF, teachers and students can support underprivileged groups in Hong Kong and use their voices to help people globally, contributing to charitable efforts for Hong Kong residents in remote areas."

Dr. the honourable Ko Wing-man, GBS, JP, member of the Executive Council of Hong Kong delivered the keynote speech.

Dr. the Honourable Ko Wing-man, GBS, JP, a member of the Executive Council of Hong Kong, spoke at the premiere event, saying, "As an orthopaedic specialist, I see the challenges doctors face in saving lives. Witnessing New Sight's impact in restoring sight in Africa moves me deeply. Through music and our theme song, 'Love’s Boundless Flight', I hope we can soar to new heights together." He also shared his choir experience from school and encouraged students to explore their vocal range while discovering their potential and the value of teamwork.

"Now, we've been able to help thousands of patients and families. The new eye hospital enables us to expand our services even further."

Dr. Joyce Samoutou-Wong, Co-founder of New Sight, shared virtually from the Republic of Congo, Africa.

Dr. Joyce Samoutou-Wong, Co-founder of New Sight, shared virtually from the

Republic of the Congo, Africa, “When I was growing up in Hong Kong, I dreamt of helping

this world become a better place. But by then, I enjoyed living an easy and comfortable

life, and wouldn't want to do anything I wouldn't manage. Later in medical school, I

had the opportunity to visit a mission hospital in Africa, that experience made me

realise that I would not live a life of regret. Now, we've been able to help thousands

of patients and families. The new eye hospital enables us to expand our services even

further. Every day, I see overwhelming needs everywhere, as we rise above our

doubts, hesitations, and fears, we will see that we are, in fact, more than who we

thought we were. Together, we will do the impossible.”

Ms. Kwong Kit-ying, a teacher from the Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Primary School,

participated in the virtual choir project. She believes that this annual virtual choir

project is profoundly meaningful. It allows students to connect with the diverse

individuals around the world who need our help and to bring warmth to them through

the power of music. This year, Primary 5 student Lam Hing Nok, Zandrix, Primary 3

students Lam Hey Sun, Brya, and Ho Lok Tung, Donna also joined the virtual choir.

Donna even created a painting to support New Sight, she said:

"I hope more people will respond to and support New Sight, and I also want to tell those suffering from eye diseases in Africa not to give up."

Ms. Kwong Kit-ying (First left), a teacher from the Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Primary School, Primary 5 student Lam Hing Nok, Zandrix (Second Left), Primary 3 students Lam Hey Sun, Brya (First right), and Ho Lok Tung (Second right) shared their feeling of participating of the Virtual Choir 2024.

Documentary Chronicling the Music Journey of two HKICF Participants

HKICF has served over 50,000 teachers and students in the past seven years and has always aimed to document their growth. In October of last year, HKICF began filming a documentary that took over six months to complete, capturing the learning outcomes and achievements of several participants.

Ms. Lydia Sheung, the Music Panel Head and Conductor at Precious Blood Secondary School, noted that the comprehensive support from HKICF has helped her school choir progress, boost students' confidence, and create a holistic impact on music education. Additionally, Chris Xue Ming Nam, a student from China Holiness College, expressed his gratitude to HKICF for providing him with free resources to continue participating in the choir, which has significantly enhanced his musicianship, confidence, and leadership skills.

The documentary captured the learning outcomes and achievement of Ms. Lydia Sheung, the Music Panel and Conductor of Precious Blood Secondary School (Left) and Xue Ming Nam, Chris, a student from China Holiness Colleges (Right).