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Unforgettable tête-à-tête moments 

29 Feb 2024

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Sharon and Max, the two student MCs introduced the concert theme "Tête-à-tête" to the audience.
Professor Chow Yiu-fai’s sharing session at the end of the concert.
Professor Chow and every staff in the front of the stage and behind the scenes at the end of Session 1 of the concert.
Thanks to the efforts of the lyrics class students, the 36 stories were presented successfully.
A group photo of Professor Chow, the lyrics class students and alumni who assisted in the concert, at the end of Session 2.
A group photo of Professor Chow, teaching assistant Sze-long and the 13th lyrics class students. After 13 weeks of classes and multiple months of preparation, the concert came to a triumphant end.

Year after year, the Department of Humanities and Creative Writing’s Chinese Song Lyric Writing service-learning course draws enrolment from ingenious and creative minds, who are keen to learn from Professor Chow Yiu-fai. Supported by the Centre for Innovative Service-Learning, the Institute of Creativity and the Hung Hin Shiu Charitable Foundation, their graduation work was featured at the “2023/24 Chow Yiu Fai Chinese Lyrics Course Graduation Concert and Sharing Session” held on 20 and 21 February.

The theme of tête-à-tête and connecting and communicating across generations is reflected in the concert title, “Two People Sitting Across From Each Other.” The concept is inspired by the recent lyrics written by Professor Chow for the song “The Two People” (in Chinese《列車上對着坐的兩個人》, literally meaning  two people sitting on a train, facing each other).

On stage, two sofas took centre stage, with performers sitting across from each other before they took turns heading into the spotlight. The 36 original songs and lyrics are based on the students’ interviews with pairs of individuals from different generations and walks of life, including father-and-daughter jazz musicians, sports athletes and their coaches, editors and their editors-in-chief, and interns and their mentors among others. The recurring themes of unconditional support, bridging generational gaps, heritage and togetherness are weaved into the lyrics and performed by the students, alumni of the lyrics course and HKBU staff members Dr Glos Ho, Professor Patrick Lau (“Pro Lau” not just sang but also played harmonica and guitar on stage!), Professor Gao Meng, Dr Kaxton Siu, and Mr Alan Wong, Senior Psychological Counsellor. 

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Dr Glos Ho, Director of Transdisciplinary Undergraduate Programmes, Division of Transdisciplinary Undergraduate Programmes
Professor Patrick Lau, Associate Head, Department of Sport, Physical Education and Health
Professor Gao Meng, Professor, Department of Geography
Dr Kaxton Siu, Associate Professor, Department of Sociology
Mr Alan Wong, Senior Psychological Counsellor, Office of Student Affairs

But nothing more could have topped the earnest words of the ever humble and amiable Professor Chow. After thanking and giving everyone on and off stage their due credit, Professor Chow made a pledge: “Regardless of which place or generation you come from, we will continue to stick together!”

If you missed the concert, please take a moment to treat yourself to the heart-felt lyrics and sharing of the organisers, students and performers in the programme notes here.