29/08/2025
As part of this year’s Old Boys’ Concert, we are delighted to have old boys Victor Li (Class of 2017) and Carl Chan (Class of 2015) present a world premiere of their new choral work, “The Game”! We’ve invited them to share a few thoughts on this exciting new piece.
Q1. What inspired you to compose “The Game”?
Victor: Carl and I have been creating Cantonese choral music together since 2017. Looking back into the Cantonese choral music repertoire, we figure that it is an apt time to broaden the scope of lyrics and musical style in this genre. “The Game” is written with this in mind - to create an upbeat acappella piece that encourages teenagers to strive through difficulties in life. We hope that the musical style and lyrics bring some inspiration to our fellow Lasallians, choristers and musicians alike.
Carl: In recent years, the issue of student suicides has become increasingly serious. As an educator, I can feel firsthand how suffocating the pressure of academics can be for students. To me, life is like a game - at the end of the day, it’s about making your own game experience as fulfilling and exciting as possible. “The Game” is, in many ways, a reflection of my outlook on life. After all, if I asked you to play that same game again now, wouldn’t you find it boring? In the same way, if life were too easy, it wouldn’t be much fun. Even if you feel you’re stuck playing in “hell mode,” give it your all and play it through. And even if you fail, at least play it with full intensity and passion!
Q2. What message or feeling do you hope the audience will take away from this piece?
Victor: When creating this piece, I had in mind a mix of ideas that hint at Cantopop and music from the barbershop quartet. I hope that this piece, while showcasing our choir’s abilities, can also uplift our audiences, as its lyrics suggest. Life comes with its own difficulties and challenges, but without them our lives would not be as colourful and enjoyable as they are.
Q3. Looking back at your student years at La Salle, how did your experiences there influence you as musicians and composers?
Carl: Back when I was in the choir, my friends and I would sometimes rewrite the lyrics of choir songs to poke fun at the conductor and teachers (of course, only privately, just for laughs). At La Salle, we enjoyed a lot of freedom, so we dared to speak, change, and write however we wanted - I think that’s where my creativity first took root. I was also lucky to have a group of equally crazy friends who encouraged me to turn these playful ideas into actual songs. That’s the spirit of a Lasallian: daring to try anything. So I thought to myself, why not try writing lyrics seriously for once? And when I started, I never stopped - it’s been 7 years since.
Q4. How does it feel to contribute back to your alma mater by creating a new piece for the Old Boys’ concert?
Victor: Music should be catered to individual performers. It is my ultimate honour to have the Old Boys’ Choir perform my own piece since I know my choristers very well - indeed, I know most of them from my days back in La Salle, and I have been the choir’s conductor since 2021. I myself also learn a lot when I created this piece, as choristers reviewed and gave comments and feedback on it as well. The special Lasallian bond between choristers has never been more palpable with this performance - I hope all of you can feel it as well!
Q5. Do you have any words you’d like to share with your Lasallian brothers and the audience before the premiere?
Victor: I am deeply honoured to be involved in the recent development in Lasallian music. These are substantially and fundamentally possible only with your unwavering support. Thank you all for coming and witnessing this fun moment, filled with Lasallian brotherhood!
Carl: No, nothing much to add! Lasallians don’t like to nag - less said, the better. But truly, with so much talent in our alma mater, I feel deeply honoured to take part in creating a work that is “homegrown” by Lasallians themselves. I sincerely hope you’ll enjoy “The Game”, and if you find anything lacking, please kindly forgive and share your guidance with me!
#舊生音樂會 #過三關
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