Chew Hee-Chiat working at his dream job, conducting the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra

Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra's (HKCO) Associate Conductor, Malaysian-born Chew Hee-Chiat, made it to the Guinness Book of Records in 2005. More than 500 players performed his work A Celebration of Dizi under his baton in Hong Kong - the largest number of people playing the dizi (bamboo flute) at the same time. He started learning the cello in his teens and ended up doing a double bachelor's degree in cello performance and computer science at the Southeast Missouri State University, followed by a Master of Music in orchestral conducting from the University of South Carolina in 1996.

‘Growing up in Malaysia, it simply was not encouraged to look upon music as a career. My parents wanted me to do a real job and that meant being a lawyer, banker or engineer. Malaysia in the 1980s did not have any diplomatic ties with China but I fell in love with Chinese music as I had a lot of Chinese friends and I studied in a Chinese language school in Penang. To learn more about Chinese music, I joined the school Chinese orchestra and started with dizi. I had to listen to cassettes and read books on the subject. I was totally dissatisfied with picking up information in this way so I learnt a Western instrument. I was in my teens – rather old by musical standards – when I started the cello. I did not learn the piano as my parents could not afford it. 

To satisfy my parents, I went off to the United States to study computer science ending up with a master degree in orchestral conducting. My first job was in 1996 in Malaysia as the Music Director of Professional Cultural Center Orchestra (PCCO) which was tough as I had to build it up from scratch. In order for me to gain more exposure, I entered a competition organised by HKCO in 2001 and won the third prize. I guess it was a test in a way without me knowing because not long after that, I got the job as an assistant conductor rising to the rank of an associate conductor. Currently, there are 85 musicians in HKCO and three conductors.

World's best orchestra

I have been in HKCO for five years now and I must say they have been fruitful years. HKCO is the best in the world and it is up there with the New York and Berlin Philharmonic Orchestras. It is a great opportunity for me to excel. There is so much happening in Hong Kong which provides the right platform to broaden my musical experience.

The city is vibrant, free and has a rich Chinese cultural and historical background. This is a great cultural place with lots of variety, excitement and a lot of world-class players and composers come here. This is the best training ground.

Hong Kong makes me realise the importance of being recognised internationally. As a conductor, you always start out being an assistant to someone. The second stage is being a music director. The ultimate dream would be when you are invited to play around the world. 

It is not easy being a conductor. He is the leader of the orchestra and must be able to handle different personalities and he must know about the different types of Chinese instruments. A conductor does not necessarily have to know how to play all the instruments but must definitely know the different range of the instruments.

Most important criteria are his audio and analytical skills. You must process information quickly on the spot. Before a rehearsal, you must study the score and know what the composer wants so analysis is important. At rehearsals, you must be able to pick up mistakes on the spot – in a full orchestra there are between 20-30 instruments – and tactfully try to rectify the problems. It is very hard to be up on the podium and conduct someone older than you. Age is never on your side as they tell you that they have played this piece much longer than you.

In terms of conducting techniques, I think I have good clarity in what I do. I am able to fix things quickly on the spot and as a conductor you must have the capability and the insight to bring the best out of your musicians.

Proud cultural heritage

I like works from many composers but do not have a particular favourite. Every composer would have different experiences to share. My own compositions are greatly influenced by my Southeast Asian cultural heritage. I am proud of being a Malaysian Chinese searching for my own style and I think this is reflected in my works which include Orchestra Suite No 2, The Third and Fantasy Dance.

I think mine is a cursed job as I can never go to a karaoke joint. I can't stand anything that is out of tune and I am very critical of anything that has sound. I can sing in tune but would not risk doing so in public.

I spend so much time listening to music at work I tend not to listen to the same kind of music at home. My five-year-old daughter decides on the type of music played at home. Her current favourite is Shanghai Oldies. Six months ago, it was Western Oldies. Sometimes we compose and play silly tunes on the piano together. My other favourite past time activity is photography.'

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Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra