hong kong police band

The Hong Kong Police Band consists of both a Silver Band with 60 musicians and a Pipe Band with a strength of 24. The Police Band is commanded by the Director of Music, Superintendent, with the aid of Chief Inspector, Deputy Director of Music and Senior Inspector, Bandmaster. They are responsible to the Head of the Foundation Training Centre, Police College, Senior Superintendent who is also the officio President of the Band. The Band is based in purpose built accommodation, Peter Moor Building, in the Aberdeen Campus of Police College. It consists of barrack rooms, practice rooms, offices and storage facilities.

Originally formed by serving officers in 1951 as the Police Silver Band under the direction of Director of Music, Mr. W. B. Foster MBE, it had only 21 musicians. As the Band grew in strength, it became increasingly more difficult to reconcile police duties with musical rehearsals and engagements, and it was decided that the Band would have full-time musicians, as they are today.

In 1954, the Police Pipe Band was formed to function separately or in conjunction with the Silver Band. The Mackintosh tartan, which the pipers wear, was adopted in recognition of a former Commissioner of Police, Mr. Duncan William MacIntosh and is worn by kind permission of the clan chief.

The Band plays an important part in the Force’s public and community relations programme and fulfils over 600 engagements each year. These performances include Force parades, Police Night, Officers’ Mess functions and concerts. The Band also plays for official events like the Flag-raising Ceremony of the HKSAR Establishment Day, the National Day, State Dinners and the Honours and Awards Presentation Ceremony at the Government House. In addition, the Band participates in various functions organized by the Hong Kong Tourism Board, the Trade Development Council, Government departments and numerous charity organizations.

The Band has gained an international reputation in countries such as Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Germany, Japan and the United States. Past tours included San Francisco, Zurich, Los Angeles, Manchester and the London ‘Hong Kong Festival’. In 1996, the Band was invited to perform at the Royal Tournament and the Edinburgh Military Tattoo in the United Kingdom for the third time. In 1998 and 2002, the Band was invited to Singapore to participate in the Singapore Police Week. Other past tours included the performances for the ‘Hong Kong Week’ programme of the International Horticultural Exposition in Kunming, and Shanghai Tourist Festival in 1999 as well as the ‘Hong Kong Showcase’ Promotion in Beijing in 2000. The Pipes and Drums were again invited to perform for the World Tourist Organizations Parade in Osaka, Japan in 2001.

For the years 2002 and 2003, we performed at the People’s Great Hall in Beijing, Shenzhen Coliseum, ‘Fujian-Hong Kong Week’ and ‘Hong Kong Month’ Consumer Show in Beijing where we had significant cultural contribution between Mainland and Hong Kong. In 2004, the Band was invited to perform for various overseas promotion events including ‘Shanghai Tourism Festival’ and the Opening Ceremony of Guangzhou Office, Hong Kong Tourism Board. The performances were all well complimented by the people of Mainland China.

In 2006, the Band was invited to perform for the Opening Ceremony of Hong Kong Tourism’s Chengdu Office and participate in the performances of the Centenary Celebration of Jinan University in Guangzhou as well as the 11th World Police Band Concert organized by Mainichi Newspaper, Japan and held in Hong Kong with other cities’ police bands including Beijing, Seoul, Tokyo, Paris and New York.

In 2007, the Band performed again in Chengdu for the Gala Concert of 10th Anniversary of the Establishment of the HKSAR organized by the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office in Chengdu with a great success. Also the Band was invited to participate in the 12th World Police Band Concert in Yokohama, Japan and performed with other police bands from five major Asian cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Seoul, Tokyo and Singapore.

In 2008, the Band was invited to perform for the Opening Ceremonies and Medal Presentation Ceremonies of both Olympic and Paralympics Equestrian Events, which were well complimented and gained international reputation. Furthermore, the Band participated in the performances again for both the Mainland Gold Medalists Extravaganza and Variety Show for the Visit of Zhen Zhou VII Delegation at Hong Kong Stadium.

In 2009, the Band was invited to perform for the Nanchang Tattoo Festival in October and established friendship with Britain, USA, Russia and PLA Army Bands. Furthermore, the Band participated in the Opening Ceremony of the East Asian Games in Hong Kong and the PSB’s Chinese New Year TV Show at the People’s Great Hall, Beijing, which was highly complimented by the public.

In September last year, the Band was invited to participate in the 10th Zurich Police Music Festival and performed with various bands from Switzerland, South Africa, USA, Britain, Netherlands and Australia, which again gained international applause. Moreover, the performances of the ‘Hong Kong Week’ programme for the Shanghai Expo last October and the concert performances for the Asian Games at Guangzhou last December attracted millions of spectators and audiences. The Band was honoured to have the opportunity to gain great success in both prestigious international events.

Services Provided by the Hong Kong Police Band Silver Band (Military Band) he Silver Band (Military Band) plays quite a wide variety of music ranging from marches, light classical selections, modern up-to-date songs and local pop tunes. This combination is ideal for cocktail receptions, dinners, concerts and parades. The Band has an excellent reputation as one of the finest ceremonial and functional bands in Southeast Asia.

Pipe Band The Pipe Band is made up of both bagpipers and drummers. They usually play for short marching displays, which require the flair and colour of tartan clad pipe band. Individual pipers may also be hired and are extremely popular for piping VIP guests into dinners and welcoming special guests.

Dance Band A four to seven pieces dance band with optional singer(s) is available to provide background music and singing for functions like receptions and cocktail parties as well as playing modern easy listening music.

Fanfare Trumpet Team The fanfare trumpet team is used to herald official opening ceremonies and arrivals. If you are looking for pomp and circumstance to highlight that special occasion, this is the best choice for you.

Brass Quintet The Brass Quintet comprising five instruments is suitable for cocktail receptions, dinners and the light background music required occasions.

Chinese Music Ensemble A two to 15 pieces of Chinese Instrument Ensemble provides flexible combinations of instruments and is suitable for all indoor functions.

Saxophone Quartet A group of four saxophone players with saxophones of different sizes provides a variety of different kinds of music from Classic to Pop and Jazz, and is suitable for highlight performances or cocktail receptions.

Dixieland Band A group of nine to 12 pieces of brass and wind instrument playing Jazz music originated in New Orleans. Mobilization of this group is a big advantage to gain interaction from the audience, which is suitable for all kinds of performance venues.

Drum Team A group of five to 11 drummers provide a full visual-audio performance with special optional effects including UV lighting and mobile Drum Racks.

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