Review by William Chan
Since April, the Macau Band Fair 2025, organised by the Macau Band Directors Association (MBDA), has hosted a series of impressive performances.
On July 19, the fair showcased the “School Band Concert,” which, despite its name, featured five bands – including two non-school ensembles: Magalo Arts Ensemble and Macau Continuo Winds – both of which I had the opportunity to interview previously.
Held at the Macau Cultural Centre’s Grand Auditorium, the concert lasted over two hours – longer than initially expected. The performers later explained that, anticipating that Typhoon Wipha would force the cancellation of their scheduled performance, they combined their Saturday and Sunday sets, resulting in a more extensive show. This allowed the bands to select their best pieces to present to the audience.
Magalo Arts Ensemble
As previously interviewed by the Post on May 14*, Magalo Arts Ensemble is a flexible, semi-professional group with no fixed lineup, primarily composed of wind instrument players and percussionists. The ensemble features three trumpets, a tuba, a trombone, a saxophonist, a flautist, and two percussionists. With members boasting over a decade of performance experience, Magalo’s performance stood out for its maturity and professionalism. Their small size has fostered a tight-knit, harmonious sound and engaging interaction throughout the set. They also strategically choose pieces that are more subtle and with more solo parts, providing a compelling contrast to larger bands.
Hong Kong Cognitio College Symphonic Band
With over 40 members – including secondary students as well as alumni – the Cognitio College Symphonic Band demonstrated impressive energy and vitality. Following them was the Concert Band of Our Lady of Fátima Girls’ School. Despite similarities in size and youth, each band showcased distinct characteristics: Fátima’s ensemble was cohesive, polished, and well-rounded, while Cognitio College’s band exuded vibrancy and excitement, with young performers visibly bursting with enthusiasm - understandable given their long trip to Macau.
Both performances exemplified what band music should be: fun, exciting, and educational. They serve as invaluable experiences for teenagers learning to balance enjoyment with audience awareness. In my opinion, participating in band classes is one of the most enriching skills and memories a young person can gain outside the classroom, and it’s encouraging to see students embracing this journey.
Macau Continuo Winds
Perhaps the most emotionally resonant performance came from Macau Continuo Winds, a band of experienced musicians from the Macau Band Directors Association, many of whom balance work and family commitments. I previously interviewed Kam Chon Wai, the band’s organiser, who told me that many members had missed playing in wind bands due to work commitments.** Returning to the stage reignited their passion for music, and their enthusiasm was palpable. Their body movements in sync with the music, along with their contagious joy, drew the audience in.
Technically, the band was surprisingly outstanding. It was remarkable that such a large group – over 50 members – produced cohesive and beautiful music, despite only rehearsing for just over a month. Their repertoire included a medley of 1980s and 1990s Japanese anime tunes, which evoked nostalgia and showcased excellent song selection for both the players and the audiences.
Macau Pui Ching Symphony Band
The Pui Ching Symphony Band on stage delivered an exceptional performance with great technicality. Their percussion section, in particular, demonstrated outstanding skill, highlighting the hard work and dedication of their members. Even with a two-hour programme, the concert was thoroughly enjoyable, and the band even provided an encore. The event was well attended, despite the threat of the typhoon, with the ground floor at capacity.
The “School Band Concert” is just one part of Macau Band Fair 2025, which continues to feature diverse wind instrument performances through September. For more information, visit https://facebook.com/100063717219887.
*https://www.macaupostdaily.com/news/24861
**
https://www.macaupostdaily.com/news/25353
Magalo Arts Ensemble performs at the Macau Cultural Centre on July 19. – Photos provided by MBDA
Hong Kong Cognitio College Symphonic Band performs.
Macau Continuo Winds performs at the Macau Cultural Centre on July 19.
Macau Pui Ching Symphony Band performs.
