Concerts of two very different music genres – two by Macau Band Directors Association (MBDA) and a closing concert for Hush!! Full Music 2020 – took place regardless of the stormy weather over the weekend.
The “Brassisimo Brass Ensemble Concert” arranged by MBDA was held at Macau Cultural Centre (CCM) on Friday, featuring local teenage brass musicians.
MBDA Conductor Lin Teng Kun told The Macau Post Daily after the concert on Friday that it was the first time he had performed with an all-brass ensemble.
“Since most brass instruments are pretty similar in nature, it was challenging to create a clear division between each layer of the music’s texture. Therefore, I had to discover appropriate ways to separate the music layers, but still keeping each player’s sound unified at the same time,” Lin said.
Also arranged by MBDA at CCM, “The Agitation of The Earth 4” was held on Saturday night despite the Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 3, featuring local young percussionists.
One of the performance highlights included a piece named “Cyclone”, where performers circulate the marimba while playing the piece, imitating the movements of a cyclone.
“I experienced the charisma of percussion music and a visually-appealing presentation at the same time,” a member from the audience told The Macau Post Daily on Saturday.
MBDA will have two more performances, “Phone Show Carnival 5 – Saxophone Ensemble Concert” tomorrow and “Amazing Winds” on August 15, featuring more local musicians and young performers from different local schools. More details can be found on MBDA’s Facebook page.
Yesterday, Hush!! closing concert “Hot Wave in the City” was held outdoors in Praça do Tap Seac with a supportive audience despite the rain.
Arranged by the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) in conjunction with the Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM), the Hush!! Full Music 2020 event saw over 50 local artists participating and organising various music-related activities over two months in different areas of Macau.
According to the event’s MC, only local artists were invited to play in Hush!! due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Six local bands comprising Avidya, Chapter 2, Free Yoga Mats, Scamper, Ariclan, and LAVY, rocked the audience during “Hot Wave in the City”.
Because of the rain, band members reminded spectators to be careful of the slippery floor and “not to jump” as they grooved to the upbeat rock-metal rhythms. Many passers-by stopped to enjoy a song or two before continuing on their way.
Angus Chao Ka Yiu, the lead singer of Scamper, said on stage that he enjoyed this year’s Hush!! activities despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Personally, I attended several performances and workshops and I liked how different venues brought out different musical vibes,” Chao said, adding that he appreciated the audiences who attended these events to support local artists.
The “Brassisimo Brass Ensemble Concert” performs at the Macau Cultural Centre (CCM) on Friday. Photos: Macau Band Directors Association’s Facebook Page
Percussionists perform “Cyclone” during a rehearsal for “The Agitation of The Earth 4” concert at the Macau Cultural Centre (CCM) on Saturday. 
Spectators watch yesterday’s HUSH!! gig with umbrellas under the rain in Praça do Tap Seac. Photo: Nicole Iun
