Major Findings
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84.8%
schools have choir
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32.2%
schools have more than 1 choir
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1,302
school choirs in HK (approx.)
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67,000+
students sing in a school choir
Choral music is a cornerstone of Hong Kong’s school culture, yet systematic research into its school-based ecosystem has long been omitted.
Jointly initiated by the TWGHs Kitty Woo Music Development Centre and the Hong Kong Virtuoso Chorus, the Hong Kong Primary and Secondary School Choirs Census 2025 provides a clear picture of the current state of local school choirs while assessing the role of the Hong Kong Inter-School Choral Festival in advancing local choral development.
With 316 schools participating—representing about one-third of Hong Kong’s primary and secondary schools, the census findings further reveal the value of participating in choral activities, highlight the challenges faced by music educators and their training needs, as well as to evaluate the role of the Hong Kong Inter-School Choir Festival (HKICF) in advancing choral development of Hong Kong. This study provides a foundation for future policy planning, curriculum improvement, and professional training, serving as a starting point in driving the sustainable development of Hong Kong’s choral sector.
The findings were published with the support of the Arts Capacity Development Funding Scheme of the Government of the HKSAR.
Publications
Hong Kong exhibits a notably high density of school-based choral activity. According to the survey, roughly 10% of the school-aged population (ages 6 to 18) attend regular choral training at school. Due to time constraints, annual repertoire coverage of the majority surveyed schools is generally limited, with most choirs learning between 1–3 or 4–6 works per year. Thus, in terms of activity participation, most school choirs engage in 1–3 to 4–6 events annually. Local competitions dominate the activity landscape.
Activities Participated by School Choirs
Local Competition
Performance
Masterclass
Choral Concert Appreciation
Virtual Choir Activity
Overseas Exchange
Music Camp
Others
With reference to the findings from a large-scale impact study conducted by Chorus America in 2009 on children in the United States, responses from 268 local music teachers and 160 choir members were analysed to determine whether similar positive impacts of choral education could be observed among students in Hong Kong. The data reveals that participation in school choirs yields a wide range of benefits for both primary and secondary students, contributing positively to their musical development and broader educational experience.。
5. Strongly Agree
4. Very Agree
3. Agree
2. Somewhat Disagree
1. Disagree
Improved Musical Literacy
Enhanced Music Appreciation Skills
Strengthened Memory
Improved Language Proficiency
Improved Overall Academic Performance
Increased Self-confidence
Strengthened Self-discipline
Improved Communication Skills
Enhanced Collaboration Skills
Nearly 70% of surveyed music teachers reported that heavy teaching workloads hinder their ability to focus adequately on choir training.
Challenges Faced by Music Teachers
Heavy Teaching Workload
Limited Time for Professional Development
Lack of Support from School or Peers
Limited Experience in Choral Conducting
Feeling Pressured by School-assigned Activities
Limited Knowledge on Choral Repertoire
Others