Why Music
Plato also said, "Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flights to the imagination, and gaiety to life and everything."
It is on this belief that the rich musical heritage at St. Paul's Co-ed has been built over decades, and is why the Summer Portal is designed with music as a common language and as an impetus to stimulate growth in a child's development.
hours of rehearsals, workshops & masterclasses
24
admission criteria
3
-
A love for singing
-
The ability to read music
-
Prior choral singing experience a bonus not a must
Choral Stream
Why We Sing. "Singing is a basic human need. It nourishes the soul and brings people together," said renowned music educator, Zoltan Kodály. At the Summer Portal, our goal is simple: to provide an experience of choral singing that plants a musical seed in the child, and which inspires through a non-competitive yet seriously dedicated approach.
​
What We Do. In the Choral Stream, students will form a SSA treble-voiced Portal Choir and will work on a wide range of repertoire through daily rehearsals. Moreover, there will be masterclasses and workshops to focus on particular topics such as vocal projection, diction and body movement by different experts. The Portal Choir will sing in worship at St. Paul's Church and perform in the camp-finale concert.
​
What's More? Students in the Choral Stream will have the opportunity to participate in the instrumental masterclasses as auditors, and those who play a musical instrument may also sign up for optional instrumental lessons with the instrumental faculty in residence (at extra costs and subject to availability on a first-come, first-served basis).
Chamber Music Stream
Why Chamber Music? "In its beginnings, music was merely chamber music, meant to be listened to in a small space by a small audience," renowned composer, Mahler once said. At the Summer Portal, our goal is simple: to provide a nurturing experience of chamber music that broadens the student's musical horizon, through which they become better musicians, and not just instrumentalists.
​
What We Do. In the Chamber Stream, students will be assigned a chamber music group to work on a chosen chamber music masterpiece, but will also have the opportunity to work on his or her solo repertoire with the faculty in both coaching and private lessons. Moreover, there will be masterclasses and concerts for students to practice the art of performing. Ample time will be scheduled for students to rehearse and practice by themselves to ensure that the learning takes place also in between lessons. Together with the Portal Choir as well as performing alongside the faculty, they will no doubt dazzle and shine on stage in the camp-finale concert.
​
What's More? Students in the Chamber Music Stream will have the opportunity to experience a taste of choral singing as well. Each student will be assigned a room to practice, where pianists can take advantage of St. Paul's Co-educational College being an All-Steinway School.
​
Admission Criteria. Admission to the Chamber Music Stream is comparatively selective due to the small ensemble size and level of difficulty of much of the chamber music repertoire. Hence, students applying to the Chamber Music Stream will be auditioned on their principal instrument at the interview. Those who are not offered a place in this stream may be considered for a place in the Choral Stream.
hours of chamber music coaching & private lessons
12
instruments on offer
4
-
Piano
-
Violin
-
Viola
-
Cello
OR
World Class Faculty
The Summer Portal is pleased to bring to you a world class faculty who shares in our belief, from Concertmaster of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, Mr. Jing Wang to Steinway Artist, Mr. Warren Lee and Professor Ray Wang, Head of Strings from the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts to Mr. Philip Dukes, Artistic Director of Marlborough College; and from St. Paul's own choral experts, Ms. Kylie Ng and Mr. Apollo Wong to the MILA Quartet from Tianjin, China. We are both honoured and most delighted to have the Tianjin Juilliard School as our Supporting Organisation.