Katherine left
the choir for Los Angeles in 1993. Currently a student, Katherine
missed our "Cheung fun" lady a lot and she asked us not
to take "cheung fun" for granted. What impressed
Katherine the most are carolling at IKEA and the pier, going to
retreat and going to boat trips.
Here is a little piece of advice from Katherine who used to play flute in the choir: "Play with Marky....He makes playing fun." (info current as of 12/11/1998)
Introduced by: Evelyn Tong
Karen left the
choir in August 1997. Her most memorable experiences during those
important five years of her life includes the Easter retreat in
March 1997, and midnight masses every year (especially the first
one in 1992). Her favorite songs are All I ask of You, Be Not
Afraid, He, Wherever You Go, and many many more! (info current
as of 4/15/1998)
Leo joined the Choir as part of his preparation to become a Catholic. He
was introduced by Gregory Pau, his godfather, whom he met while they were
Scouts at LSC.
"For those of you who were around back then but don't quite remember me - I'm the skinny kid who often rode his bike to practice and Mass and to carolling - even when it was very cold and rainy", said Leo.
Favourite Memories:"Carolling (definitely carolling !!), the fun practices, being a guest at Lester Huang's house and meeting his fabulous family, special Masses at MCS & LSC. I also fondly remember the terrifying minutes "auditioning" for Alison Huang and Nancy Lau at the piano during my first weeks at the Choir. Alison and Nancy became very special friends during those happy years."
Favourite Songs include: Be Not Afraid, Sing To The Mountains, Seek The Lord, Praise The Lord My Soul, Walk With Faith, Let Heaven Rejoice. Sing A New Song will always be special because of the unique organ intro that Nancy Lau used to play."I have never heard anything like that since then."
Leo left Hong Kong for the United States in the summer of 1979, spent 11 years in California, and bounced around various graduate schools across the country, and finally settled in New Jersey, where he now lives with his wife Karen, three-year-old daughter Laura, and their dog Pi. "Thanks to my "training" with the Choir, I have always enjoyed singing and have been an active member of church choirs while in the States. I now have a collection of "Red Books" from various church choirs I've been a part of over the years. Those 3+ years were very special to me. I learned so much - not just the songs, but the values and priorities of good catholic teens. There were so many role models: Lester, Hanson, Gregory, Elizabeth, Nancy, Alison, Portia…. And we had so much fun !! Many many thanks to Mark Huang for being there when I dropped in to 9am Mass that Sunday after 21 years !! I recognized you right away ! Though I never knew you as "Marky", you were always there after every mass. I remember Portia and Nancy and all the girls always fawning over you - Lester's cute baby brother. Feel free to e-mail me at Leo_C_Lin@hotmail.com or llin2@csc.com"
(info current as of 11/20/2000)
While we were
discussing the art of communication in our very crowded guestbook
in May/June, Leslie was more than happy to share with us her
experience,"problem of attendance and communication......how
true. I remember that when I was in GNS, people were late for
rehearsals and wouldn't stay for afternoon practice. Talk about
team spirit! I am sure that GNS can only get better." Thanks
to Leslie for her confidence in us, despite the blemish we have
left in her memories. We are improving ourselves every
day.........
Leslie had contributed to the impeccable performance of the GNS by once being our guitarist. Humble enough, she claimed that her guitar skill was flatly bad and she was put to play the guitar only when most of the "tai taus (big heads)" were abroad. Hey Leslie, don't you think that the choir actually was the breeding ground for your arts and media talent? Your training started exactly on the very first day you played guitar in front of so many church goers at St Teresa's.
Leslie is now a public relations executive working with a national Canadian Chinese TV station as well as a hostess for a morning TV program, weather and a weekend radio program in Toronto. For those who live in Canada and miss the face and voice of Leslie, you can always tune into the local Chinese TV and radio stations.
Leslie's favourite songs include If the Lord does not build a house, Be not afraid, and And the Father will dance.(info current as of 5/28/1998)
Who can sing
Baritone (very low voice) in the choir? Mr. Cow.
Who joined us owing to the reason that we sing at one of the air-conditioned church in Hong Kong? Mr. Cow.
Who works as a bond broker among us? Mr. Cow.
Who is well-trained in the severe winter of Canada and doesn't bother to wear any thick clothing in Hong Kong's winter, hates summer of Hong Kong and doesn't like to attend choir activities in summer? Mr. Cow.
Who is Mr.Cow? Oh, we are talking about our Mr. Lester Chau who was born in Canada and educated at U of T. (info current as of 12/12/1998)
Lester has
been with us, at least in a spiritual sense, for twenty-six
years. His most memorable experiences include "Patrick
Yeung's voice singing solo; Sr. Jeanne's assurances over Easter
programmes; His playing of guitar with three strings broken at
the same time; and having fun on the MCS lawn." With his
seniority and friendliness, Lester has made a lot of good friends
in the choir whose names are always lingering in his heart:
Anthony & Hanson Wong, Fred, Greg & Margaret Tse, Portia
Chung, Nancy Lau, James Lau, Andre, Henry Shum, Michael Chan,
Francis Yeung, Augustine Ng, Francise Wong, Patricia Wong etc. He
always remembers the fun he had with his friends when having
breakfast on the second floor (i.e. canteen) after mass.
Once being the chairman and a guitarist, Lester is familiar with all songs in the blue books and he simply loves all of them. (info current as of 4/29/1998)
Joined us in
early 90s, Louisa just got married at St. Teresa's Church blessed
by the GNS singing. While Louisa was exchanging rings with her
husband Hing Man, we sang all of her favourite songs such as All
I ask of you and Song of the Wounded.
Currently, Louisa is teaching at Maryknoll Convent School. (info current as of 8/12/1998)
Marietta is
currently studying for her second Bachelor's degree at York
University in Toronto. She remembers vividly the days in 1990/91
when there were only a handful of members in the choir: Billy,
Alex, Henry, Elinda, Leslie and herself. Although life was tough,
they focussed on quality and survived the years without letting
GoodNewSingers down. She also remembers when Jo taught her how to
recognize songs by listening to the introductions. With her
enthusiastic support towards the GNS website, she falls into the
cyberspace and now is "cyberpregnant" as she claimed.
Her favorite songs are: Ms Ruth, Though the mountains may fall,
Be not afraid, City of God and many more......
Visit Marietta at her very own website at http://geocities.datacellar.net/EnchantedForest/Cottage/5588. (info current as of 4/15/1998)
Our "Mark
Gor" took up the guitarist role after jo had left the choir.
He impressed us by using an Ovation 12-string guitar and he
claimed that his performance was enhanced by using extra-light
Ovation strings and capo 2. Hanging out mostly with Wincy and
Marietta, Mark said Victor Li's wedding was the most memorable
time he had spent with the GNS and his favourite songs included
Something which is known, Song of the Wounded, For I shall see
you again.
Currently, Mark is working in China developing the bowling business. (info current as of 9/14/1998)
Introduced by: Stone-House
Marky joined
the choir unofficially in 1977 (P4) and officially in 1980 (F1).
Left for a few years for university studies. Now our leader and
guitarist is BACK!
Guitars used: "(1) Applause (by Korean Ovation affiliated Co.) Bought in Summer 1995, HK$1,240, from Ocean Terminal Tsang Fook, with Eugene; (2) Ovation, cut away, thin bodied, with side sound holes (by Korea -can't afford the USA stuff) HK$4,400, May 1994, bought from Tsang Fook TST Center."
Favorite guitar picks: "Used to be thin, black, but changed to Medium (since they don't break so easily, and volume is stronger), usually red or yellow (coz it's easier to find when they are lost)."
Favorite guitar strings: "So long as they are good quality (generally approx HK$35-45 as in 1998 prices). Used to be Extra light (but they fuzz when I played D-tuning or played Trust in the Lord with "E"), later changed to Light (also for stronger volume, but fingers are more painful, esp during Easter and X'mas, uhhhh!)"
Favorite songs: "This changes all the time. Depends on my mood and feel. Oldies: Walk with Faith, You are near, Those who see light, Turn to Me, Prayer of St Francis. Newer: Sing to God A Brand New Canticle, Without Clouds, In Love for Me, Still newer: Go Tell Everyone, My Peace, Lift up your hearts..." (info current as of 4/15/1998)
Hats off to Marky for his leadership in the choir through the years.
Maria Dan (Cheng) (1974): - Our Little RED HOT Pepper
Although Maria has left us since 1976, she is missing all GNS
members especially her little brother Marky. "It’s been
too long but I remember chasing Mark Huang around after lunch.
Also the retreat we had at Margaret’s parent’s home in
NT…… that was one of the best times of my life,"
said Maria.
Maria lives in Maryland USA with her three children, Erika (10), David (6) and Stephen (2). She is very happy at work and doing surprising well to many. Thanks to Lester who tipped her off to our website, Maria is very excited to be in touch with GNS after 13 years to some and over 23 years to others.
Special message from Maria to us: "I love mail, please do write, write and write to me so I can fill in the gap for the past 23 years. My email is MDan866741@aol.com
Maria’s favourite songs are Be Not Afraid and Sing a New Song. (info current as of 5/15/1999)
Introduced by: A Maryknoll teacher who passed Maria the GNS info.
Mary impressed
some of our members by being an active member and habitually
wearing her DGS uniform to choir rehearsals. Others would
remember the "little yellow
umbrella" her then-boyfriend, now-husband used to carry when
he would pick her up after masses. Immigrating to Toronto with
family, Mary left the choir in X'mas 1991.
Mary's diary records two memorable times with the GNS: She was touched by having a "micro-GNS" (i.e. GNS formed by Jo, Joel Mak, Jo, Joel Mak, Jo, Joel......) singing for her wedding in 1992. On the other hand, she was stunned by seeing two "supernatural beings" at the Pastoral Centre when she was singing there one Easter.......... Mary, are you sure? Or you needed new prescriptions for your eyes that time?
Now living in Vancouver with her husband and two kids, Mary has most of her time used for "changing diapers and feeding". For those who miss the voice of Mary and if you are in Vancouver, just tune in to the Vancouver Chinese radio for Mary is now a famous DJ there.
Mary's favourite songs are Be not afraid (Mary, do you start liking this song after seeing those "beings" at the Pastoral Centre?) and Turn to me. (info current as of 4/15/1998)
Introduced by: Clare Chu
NAME: Melissa Alves
DATE JOINED CHOIR: September 1975
DATE LEFT CHIOR: May 1977 (left Hong Kong for Canada)
UNFORGETTABLE OCCASIONS WITH GNS:
Very special getaways to the weekend house in the New Territories that Margaret Tse and her family were kind enough to allow us to use. We did this several times, and the weekends consisted of walks in the countryside, swimming, lots of singing, and a lot of innocent fun in general. Also very memorable were the times that we went Christmas caroling, and the back-to-back masses that we used to do during Easter. A number of the Easter masses were sung at the Maryknoll Convent School chapel.
FAVOURITE SONGS: Sing a New Song, Glory to God
WHO INTRODUCED YOU TO GNS? Alison Huang
HAVE YOU BEEN A GUITARIST OR INSTRUMENTALIST IN GNS? Yes
IF YES, WHAT INSTRUMENT(S) DO YOU PLAY?
Played guitar in my final year in the choir.
ANY HINT(S) TO US THAT HELP INCREASE THE FUN FOR PLAYING THE ABOVE INSTRUMENT(S)?
It was always enjoyable to practise with one or two other guitarists in the choir and to ‘conquer’ tough songs together, feeling a sense of accomplishment.
WERE YOU ONCE A CHAIRPERSON? No.
WHAT AND HOW ARE YOU DOING CURRENTLY?
I attended the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario and qualified as a Chartered Accountant after graduation. I worked with Ernst & Young for the first 10 years of my career, serving financial services clients first in Toronto, then transfered to San Francisco in the early 1990s. I have spent the most recent years of my career working in venture capital. I continue to live in San Francisco.
ANY SPECIAL MESSAGE YOU WANT TO RELAY TO THE GNS, BOTH LOCAL AND OVERSEAS MEMBERS, VIA THE INTERNET?
I was totally surprised and amazed after all these years to find that the choir was still up and running on my first ever visit back to Hong Kong recently. Keep up the great work – this is a stupendous record of continuity and the choir sounds every bit as good as it always did!
ANYTHING YOU WANT TO SEE GNS, BOTH THE CHOIR & THE WEBSITE, IMPROVING UPON?
It would be nice if more information were available on other alumni from the period of my involvement. I’m sure they would be willing to contribute information if they knew of the website’s existence.
EMAIL: maalvesca@hotmail.com
YOUR BIRTHDAY: September 26
(info current as of 6/1/2001)
Leaving the
GNS in 1986, Monica is currently living in Toronto, Canada. As
you can see from the picture, she is married and has a son named
Russell Wong III. She finds her new role as a full-time mother
more tiring and rewarding than her previous job as a graphic
designer.
When asked what her memorable episodes are, she immediately said the Farewell Concert 86. That was the official event she bid farewell to all her friends in the choir, who would either stay with the choir in Hong Kong or leave for studies overseas. Besides, all the times doing crazy things with the GNS at rehearsals, partying and potluck at choir members' homes, and grabing "cheung-fun" from our respected "cheung-fun lady" to fill up her drumming stomach after Sunday rehearsals are also her precious moments spending with the choir members. (info current as of 4/15/1998)
Katherine
Lau (1993): 
