Bulletin Spring 1975

Then comes marriage Then comes the organ for Chung Chi College On August 25th, 1973, the President of Chung Chi College, Dr. C.T. Yung, agreed to sign the contract, but not before reminding the Committee that he was somewhat hesitant and that he expected its members to spare no effort in seeing the project through to successful completion. On the day of contract signing, we had collected HK S91,126.40, a sum equal to almost half of the estimated cost at that time. In the months that followed, many more appeal letters went out while detailed planning of the instrument— its stop list, shape and interior——progressed. Throughout 1973 and in early 1974fivefundraising concerts of various kinds were held. Sheila Lau played a lunchtime organ recital and also co-operated with Wong Kin Yu, Tom Pniewski and the Oratorio Society in another presentation. Mr. Stanislas Deriemaeker, an organist from Belgium, played in the Catholic Cathedral, as did Mr. Wilhelm Krumbach of Germany in a concert sponsored by the Goethe Institut. The Robin Boyle Singers shared a programme with members of the Chung Chi College Music Department in a concert at Caritas sponsored by Commercial Radio. There was even a political dimension to our efforts when Sir Murray MacLehose wrote us words of encouragement and the Prime Minister, Mr. Edward Heath, both telephoned and wrote from London to express—as an organist himself—his interest in our project. By September 26th, 1974, thirteen months after the contract had been signed, we had collected H K $216,773.25. This was more than HK $16,000 in excess of what we had promised to raise, but in the meantime revaluation of the German mark and rising costs of labour, material and ocean freight all meant a considerably higher price for the entire undertaking. This was one of the many times we experienced discouragement and frustration in our efforts, and matters were not helped when the Hong Kong stock market collapsed, ending many of our hopes for substantial donations. Yet encouragement did come at last when the Rotary Club of Kowloon made a grant of HK $15,000 and the Sir David Trench Fund for Recreation pledged HK $20,000. One donor pledged H K $100 provided we sent him ten monthly reminders. We wondered at the time if this was really worth the effort, but in the end it proved to be because the donor gave us an additional final contribution. Donations amount to approximately 270, ranging from $5 to $50,000. Regardless of the amount they all represented the same kind of spirit that responded to the worthy cause. Now it was late in 1974, and the day for delivering the organ drew nearer. After several postponements we began looking for a cable which said the instrument was safely aboard ship and underway. Instead a cable arrived saying the security lock of the organ container had been stolen, that the entire instrument had to be inspected for damage and burglary and that there would be still more delay. Fortunately, though, this emergency proved to be a minor one, and the Hapag- Lloyd firm put the organ on the next ship and delivered it to us in good time and in perfect condition. The same firm, incidentally, gave us a substantial reduction in the cost of ocean freight. On Saturday morning, January 18th of this year, we had the exquisite pleasure of seeing the huge silver container for the organ being slowly driven up the narrow, winding road to the Chapel door. On hand to receive the instrument were Mr. Detlef Kleuker and his assistant, Mr. Siegfried Foerster, both of whom had arrived by air the night before. Dr. Yung was also present, as were many members of the college administration, staff of the Music Department and students. All watched the opening of the container in silence and anticipation. Mr. Kleuker and Mr. Foerster went right to work, and after exactly one month all 3,000 parts, including 1,352 pipes, were in place and the organ was ready to begin its long life of bringing joy to many listeners with its beautiful sound. On February 16th Rev. Franklin Woo conducted a dedication worship service, and the festive inaugural recital took place on the evening of Friday, February 28th. This event, a part of the Hong Kong Arts Festival, was a joint presentation by the Hong Kong Arts Centre and the Music Department, and a capacity crowd was present to hear Miss Mitsuko Takemae of Tokyo perform an excellent programme. Her recital was preceded by a short ceremony in which thanks were expressed to all the donors as well as members of the Organ Committee. I would like to end this story with an expression of warm thanks to all who helped raise and contribute funds for our pipe organ project. The cost of the instrument ex workshop was HK $211,048.60 (DM105,524.30), but the total expenditure will have been very nearly HK $260,000. Finally, I would like to express the hope that all those who play at or listen to the organ in future will have as much benefit, joy and pleasure as the members of my Committee and I had in bringing the first modern pipe organ to Hong Kong. 8