On 13 March, our Principal Horn Han Chang Chou (also known as Han Xiao Guang), will present Mozart’s elegant Horn Concerto No. 2, among other works with the SSO in an 80-minute concert without intermission.
The concert marks Chang Chou’s retirement later this year as Principal Horn, celebrating his four-decade career in music – a large part of which he had dedicated to leading the SSO horn section.
Chang Chou began studying the French horn at 13 and his father, renowned horn player Han Xian Guang, was his first mentor. Raised in a musical family, Chang Chou’s uncle and younger brother are also horn players and professors. His other teachers include Liang Kechao, Barry Tuckwell, Douglas Hill, Hans Pizka, Philip Myers, and Gerd Seifert. Chang Chou joined the Singapore Symphony Orchestra in 1987.
Affectionately addressed as “Xiao Guang” or “Mr Han” by colleagues and students alike, Chang Chou has been Professor of the French horn at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, National University of Singapore, since 2003. Last year, he accepted the invitation to become resident horn faculty member at the new Tianjin Juilliard.
My first day at the SSO seems like just yesterday. At the time, the Victoria Concert Hall was undergoing renovation, and we had rehearsals at the PUB building at Somerset with conductor Lim Yau. Thirty-three years have passed, and I have lived half my life in Singapore — settling down and starting a family where we now have two adult children. I’m grateful to SSO founding music director and conductor Choo Hoey, for his trust in me. When I joined the SSO, I was still young and did not have much experience. For all the progress and results I have achieved today, I will always be grateful to SSO.
On the life of a musician
“Choosing music is like choosing a way of life, an attitude. I always tell students, ‘Learning music will not make you very wealthy. You must know that life will be simple.’ It will be a simple life, but a happy life.
“And I can sense it in many young musicians. They are very thrifty, and prefer to spend on instruments, scores, or travelling to find instructors to help improve their skills. This is our kind of life, as a musician.”
On his onward focus on teaching
“I like young musicians that are inquisitive, curious – and bold enough to ask questions. Other characteristics will take time to develop – the ability to handle stress for instance. The adrenaline from stage performances can be very exciting, sometimes too much for some to bear. Something like the BBC Proms can really be overwhelming.
“The life of a professional musician is hard; when you don’t play well, not everyone will bother to tell you. The discipline to practise and improve is vital.”
His wish for younger musicians
“2020 marks my 33rd year in the Singapore. I’m eager to develop younger talent among horn players here. That gives me the motivation. My wish is that our younger musicians will far exceed us, by working hard, practising, and refining their musical sense. At my age, I’m still learning. I still have to learn and grow.”
Farewell wishes for Mr Han
Bravi and thank you for all the years of great music, Mr Han!
Catch Mr Han at a special farewell SSO concert, 13 March, Victoria Concert Hall, 7.30pm: