Internationally renowned cellist Mr Trey Lee was appointed as UNICEF HK Ambassador, promoting child rights through classical music to special school students Get Trey’s latest limited edition album by sharing on UNICEF HK social media platforms!
HONG KONG, 18 September 2012 —Hailed as a ‘Miracle’, internationally renowned cellist Mr Trey Lee was appointed as Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF HK) Ambassador today. Mr Lee immediately started his mission as a child rights advocate through the visit to a local special school. He performed two selected cello pieces during the visit to illustrate that every child, even those with disabilities, should be entitled to the right to participate in and enjoy artistic, music and cultural activities. Mr Lee will continue his mission of advocating for and realising children’s rights with UNICEF HK and strive to make Hong Kong a more child-friendly city.
Since 1954, UNICEF has been appointing Goodwill Ambassadors around the world, while UNICEF HK appointed Mr Leon Lai as the first UNICEF HK Ambassador in 1994. In the past two decades, UNICEF HK has been supported by local and international famous influencers to help promote children’s rights and improve the lives of children and women around the world with their talent and strong commitment. Renowned artist Mr Leon Lai and world champion cyclist Mr Wong Kam-po are among these key figures in Hong Kong.
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Today, Ms Judy Chen, Chairman of UNICEF HK, Ms Leonie Ki, Vice Chairman and Chairman of Advocacy and Public Relations Committee of UNICEF HK and Mr Trey Lee visited Hong Kong Red Cross Princess Alexandra School in Kwun Tong and held a music education workshop. In the presence of all the teachers, primary and secondary students of the school, Mr Lee has received the certificate of appointment and become UNICEF HK Ambassador. He then immediately started his first mission for children by playing Bourrée of Bach, the first cello song he learnt, and Children’s March by Prokofiev, which shows the vitality and determination of children. |
“Music is like a mirror of life. There are always ups and downs and comes new things in pieces as well as life, making it so interesting. I wish these two songs can be a language that can communicate effectively with everyone, no matter who they are and where they are from, and inspire more people to realise the importance of child rights,” said Mr Lee, who is passionate for both music and life. He also encouraged the students and teachers of the school by emphasising that all children, even those with disability, deserve the right to participate and enjoy in cultural, music and artistic activities, according to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Besides, Mr Lee jointly performed the song I Believe, composed and lyricised by UNICEF Young Envoys to express the belief in Zero Child Suffering. He said, “I truly support and appreciate the music creation by students. I am glad to see the promising Young Envoys enjoy their rights to art and culture, and treat music as a medium to advocate for children’s rights.” Mr Lee also pledged to spread the message of protecting children from different parts of the world with UNICEF during his worldwide performances, and will share the state of children he witnessed with UNICEF and people in Hong Kong.
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Ms Judy Chen said, “The excellent achievement of Mr Lee in classical music industry is well known. We believe his remarkable musical talent combined with his popularity will help UNICEF arouse the attention of music lovers to the problems that inhibit young child survival around the world.” Ms Leonie Ki said she believed Mr Lee will further promote the rights of children to participate in cultural, music and artistic activities, including those in developing countries, i.e. the ones who are deprived, disabled, neglected, as UNICEF HK Ambassador. Ms Ki supplemented that Mr Lee might later be arranged to visit developing countries with UNICEF HK, to exchange views with deprived women and children, and encourage them to reach their full potential.
To show his passion and commitment on promoting child right to art and culture, Mr Lee announced to give away his latest cello album Schumann, Mendelssohn & Chopin / Trey Lee, Cello (CD+DVD) to supporters of UNICEF HK. The limited album recorded Mr Lee’s performance of 15 cello masterpieces by Schumann, Mendelssohn and Chopin. From now to 14 October, interested parties can visit the Facebook page or Tencent Weibo of UNICEF HK, and share a message in the blank - “Music makes me feel ____.” Mr Lee will select the best answer and give away the album, plus a Chinese pen calligraphy message “Music for change. Speak out through music, speak up for children.” handwritten by Mr Lee’s seven years old niece, Chinese calligraphy winner Erita Chen.
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Acclaimed by the international critics as “Miracle” and “a Master of subtle transition”, Mr Trey Lee is a Hong Kong-born cellist. He was ought up in a family of musicians, and has been collaborating with esteemed conductors and composers such as Lorin Maazel and Bright Sheng, and orchestras worldwide including the Philharmonia Orchestra of London, Munich Chamber Orchestra, and the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra. He has performed in major venues such as Carnegie Hall, Amsterdam’s Royal Concertgebouw Hall and the Krelim. He has also been invited to a concert organised by United Nations Secretary General Ban-Ki Moon at the United Nations General Assembly Hall in New York.
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