The Hong Kong Police Band consists of both a Silver Band with 70 musicians and a Pipe Band with strength of 24. The Police Band is commanded by the Director of Music, ranked as Superintendent, with the aid of Chief Inspector, Deputy Director of Music and Inspector/Senior Inspector, Bandmaster. They are responsible to the Head of the School of Foundation Training of Police College, ranked as Senior Superintendent, who is also the Exofficio President of the Band. The Band is based in purpose built accommodation, Peter Moor Building, in the School of Foundation Training of the Police College. It consists of changing rooms, practice rooms, offices and storage facilities.
Originally formed from serving officers in 1951 as the Police Silver Band under the direction of Director of Music, Mr. W. B. Foster MBE, it had only 21 musicians. As the Band grew in strength, it became increasingly more difficult to reconcile police duties with musical rehearsals and engagements and it was decided that the Band would have full time musicians, as they are today.
In 1954, the Police Pipe Band was formed to function separately or in conjunction with the Silver Band. The MacIntosh tartan, which the pipers wear, was adopted in recognition of a Former Commissioner of Police, Mr. Duncan William MacIntosh, and is worn by kind permission of the clan chief.
The Band plays an important part in the Force’s public and community relation programme and fulfils over 500 engagements on average each year. These performances include Force parades, Police Night, Officers' Mess functions and concerts. The band also plays for the official events like the Flag-raising Ceremony of the HKSAR Establishment Day, the National Day, Government Official Dinners and the Honours and Awards Presentation Ceremony at the Government House. In addition, the Band participates in various functions organized by the Hong Kong Tourism Board, the Trade Development Council, Government departments and numerous charity organizations.
The Band has gained an international reputation in countries such as Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Germany, Japan and the United States. Past tours included San Francisco, Zurich, Los Angeles, Manchester and the London 'Hong Kong Festival'.
In 2010 -2013, the Band was invited to participate the 10th Zurich Police Music Festival and performed with various bands from different continents. Besides, the Band was featured in the Grand Concert for the Celebration of 14th Anniversary of the Establishment of HKSAR and it was the very first time the band performed with the People Liberty Army (PLA) Band of China in Hong Kong. Meanwhile, the Band was also invited to participate the 48th “Musikchau der Nationen” (Music Show of Nations) at Bremen, Germany and the Hong Kong International Military Tattoo in celebrating the 15th Anniversary of the Establishment of HKSAR performed with the prestige Bands from different parts of the world, with tremendous applause. The Band was featured in the ‘Christmas Concert in the Park’, which was produced with TV live broadcasting by the Radio 4 of RTHK, at Central & Western District Promenade on Christmas Eve.
In 2014, the Band performed for the 170th Anniversary of the Hong Kong Police Force Charity Concert at City Hall with renowned singer, Ms YIP Lai-yee, Frances, and raised 2.2 Million for two beneficiary charity organizations, namely, the Hong Kong Children Cancer Foundation and the Helping Hands.
In 2015, the band performed at Dongguan and Kunming’s South Asia Expo for the ‘Getting to Know Hong Kong’ Exhibition by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Guangdong of the Government of HKSAR, as well as at Zhengzhou and Tianjin for the ‘Style HK Show’ organized by Trade Development Council and the Chinese Manufacturer’s Association of Hong Kong in promoting Hong Kong brands and products.
In 2016, the Band performed for the ‘Police Concert for Community 2016’at Concert Hall of the Cultural Centre with renowned singers, Mr Leon LAI and Mr Hacken LEE and raised more than 3.8 Million for the Hong Kong Community Chest. Furthermore, the Band was very well complimented for an outreaching programme of school visit, named as “Music Touch” which aimed to engage students in enhancing their interest in music through interactive workshops and performance.
In 2017, the band was featured at the Hong Kong International Military Tattoo, together with guests from United States, Scotland, Netherlands, Russia, Mongolia and PLA band of China etc., in celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Establishment of HKSAR with remarkable military music performance. Besides, the band was also invited to represent Hong Kong to perform at various cities of mainland such as Tianjin, Naning, Xiamen, Chongqing, Kunming and Guangzhou, for celebrating the anniversary with huge success and warmest welcome received from local audience.
In 2018, the band showcased at the Tianjin’s 10th Anniversary of the HKCCC-Tianjin cum the Celebration of the 40th Anniversary of Reform and Opening-up organized by the Tianjin Liaison Unit, Beijing Office of the Government of the HKSAR.
In 2019, to celebrate the 175th Anniversary of the Hong Kong Police Force, the Hong Kong Police Band organized public performances in different districts. The Police Band performed in Hong Kong Park, Shatin Park, Kwun Tong Promenade and shopping mall nearby, Tai Po Waterfront Park and Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade to share joy, fun and happiness with members of the public.
In 2023, the Police Band Cadet was formed and it aims to cultivate the youths by encouraging them to establish proper values and self-discipline, in order to promote the spirit of excellence in both morality and art. The Police Band Cadet performed together with the Hong Kong Police Band at the Passing-out Parade of Police College in June and the Parade by Disciplined Services and Youth Groups Cum Carnival for Celebrating the 74th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China on 1st October.
SERVICES
Silver Band (Military Band)
The Silver Band (Military Band) plays quite a wide variety of music ranging from marches, light classical selections, modern up-to-date songs and local pop tunes.
This combination is ideal for cocktail receptions, dinners, concerts and parades. The Band has an excellent reputation as one of the finest ceremonial and functional bands in Southeast Asia.
Pipe Band
The Pipe Band is formed of both bagpipers and drummers. They usually play for short marching displays, which require the flair and colour of a tartan clad pipe band.
Individual pipers may also be hired and are extremely popular for piping VIP guests into dinners and welcoming special guests.
Dance Band
A four to seven pieces dance band with optional singer(s) is available to provide background music and singing for functions such as receptions and cocktail parties, and can also provide modern easy listening music.
Ensembles
The band will provide different kinds performance of ensembles to fit the various performing situations. The sizes of the groups are ranging from three to more than ten. Some examples are: Fanfare Trumpet Team, to herald official opening ceremonies and arrivals; Brass Quintet and Saxophone Quartet, to provide background light music in cocktail receptions; Chinese Music Ensemble, and Drum Team to form a special types of instrumental ensemble.
For interested parties to invite the Police Band, you may contact us on 3660-5434 or by E-mail to bandmaster-1-pb@police.gov.hk.