英皇書院口琴隊成立於一九五一年，乃本港其中一隊歷史最悠久的口琴合奏團。在成立的初期，口琴隊只不過是由數位學生組成的合奏小組。直至六十年代，在樂隊指揮馮安先生的悉心栽培下，口琴隊才發展成一支為數約三十多人的樂隊，規模得以不斷擴充。而隊員的技術亦相應提高，所以在數屆的校際音樂節中能取得優異的成績。

 

踏入七十年代，在馮氏離隊的影響下，口琴隊在數年間的表現未如理想，直至本校舊生許有方先生出掌指揮一職後才有所改善。而在許氏的領導下，除了將口琴隊重整外，還致力培育新一代的隊員，為口琴隊的未來發展奠定良好的基礎。

 

在一九八一年至八五年，口琴隊步入了光輝的時期。在何百昌、陳繼華、陳樹強、莫志超及劉振邦五位能幹的隊長領導下，口琴隊在音樂節的多項比賽中屢獲殊榮。自八八年起，指揮一職由舊生何百昌先生出任，他除了負責指揮和訓練外，更為口琴隊重新編寫訓練教材，對樂隊作出了鉅大的貢獻。

 

一九九零年，指揮何百昌先生因工作繁忙的關係，未能夠繼續出任口琴隊指揮一職。於是由關文豪先生接掌指揮的工作。在他的熱心推動下，不單為口琴隊培養了不少人才，更帶領口琴隊自一九八九至一九九三年連續五屆勇奪「香港校際音樂節公開組口琴獨奏」之冠軍寶座，成績斐然，可謂一時無兩。一九九一年英皇書院口琴隊假座香港藝術中心壽臣劇院首辦了一個紀念四十周年的音樂晚會，該晚的成功演出，現場觀眾的熱烈反應，掀起了外界對古典音樂的欣賞及音樂的發展。稍後，前口琴隊隊長馮瑞贊先生回校出任指揮，繼續帶領口琴隊。一九九六年關文豪先生重返口琴隊擔任指揮，並帶領英皇書院口琴隊在演藝學院戲劇院舉辦「四十五週年紀念音樂會」，希望可以藉此向廣大市民介紹和推廣口琴音樂。二ＯＯ一年口琴隊假座香港大會堂音樂廳舉辦音樂會，以慶祝母校的鑽禧及口琴隊的金禧紀念。是次音樂會首音了香港著名作曲家許翔威先生的委約作品《禧年序曲》，開創了口琴樂團原創音樂的先河。

 

英皇書院口琴隊不但在歷屆「香港校際音樂節」中成績彪炳，近年在關文豪先生的帶領下，更於海外比賽中屢奪殊榮。分別於一九九八年、二ＯＯＯ年、二ＯＯ二年及二ＯＯ四年於馬來西亞 吉隆坡、韓國 漢城、日本 厚木市及香港舉辦的「亞太口琴節」中奪獎無數。二ＯＯ五年，口琴隊成員更聯同一眾舊生首度遠赴歐洲，前往享有「口琴之鄉」美譽的德國特 勞辛根參與世界口琴大賽，並締造了歷史性的佳績，在多項比賽中共奪取五項冠軍、一項亞軍及一項季軍。

 

現在，英皇書院口琴隊已是一個擁有四十多位成員的口琴合奏樂團，當中不乏有豐富演出經驗及有潛質的學生。在將來，口琴隊會繼續秉承傳統，一方面為學界培育口琴接班人，另一方面則鼓勵更多同學接觸及欣賞古典音樂。

Founded in 1951, King's College Harmonica Band ("KCHB") is one of the oldest harmonica ensembles in Hong Kong. At first, it consisted of only a few members. In the 60's, under the baton of Mr. FUNG On, the band began to expand in scale and won an enviable reputation for performances in Hong Kong. At that time, KCHB comprised over 30 members and through their efforts, numerous prizes in the Schools Music Festival were won.

 

Towards the 60's, because of Mr. FUNG's leaving, the success and enthusiasm of the band waned until Mr. HUI Yau Fong took the baton a few years later. Mr. HUI reorganized KCHB, enthusiastically nurtured the new generation, and prepared for future development.

 

Between 1981 and 1985, KCHB entered the most significant stage in its development. It began to appear frequently in public and under the leadership of Mr. HO Pak Cheong, CHAN Kai Wah, CHAN Shu Keung, MOK Chi Chiu and LAU Chun Bong, it won championship in most of the categories in the Hong Kong Schools Music Festivals. A major figure in KCHB's artistic development during the 80's was Mr. HO Pak Cheong, who became KCHB's Conductor-in-chief in 1988. His contributions led to KCHB's outstanding artistic achievements in the following years.

 

Into the 90's, bound by various work obligations, Mr. HO Pak Cheong reluctantly departed from the stage and the baton went to Mr. Johnny KUAN, another old boy and harmonica enthusiast. Under Mr. KUAN's zealous endeavors, new talent was nurtured that pushed KCHB towards another pinnacle previously unmatched in its history, witnessing the snatching of the champion's title five times in a row from 1989 to 1993 in the Concert Work of Harmonica Solo of the Hong Kong Schools Music Festival. In 1991, KCHB organized its first public concert, the 40th Anniversary Concert, at Shouson Theatre, Hong Kong Arts Centre. The success of the concert and the subsequent critical acclaim generated a real "harmonica kick" among professionals and amateurs alike. Shortly after that, the ongoing development of KCHB was left in the hands of Mr. FUNG Sui Tsan, another enthusiastic chairman of KCHB. The year 1996 saw the return of Mr. KUAN as the conductor, presenting KCHB in the 45th anniversary celebration concert at Drama Theatre, Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts so as to promote harmonica music to the public.  In 2001, KCHB held a concert at Hong Kong City Hall Concert Hall to celebrate the Diamond Anniversary of our alma mater and the Golden Anniversary of the Harmonica Band. In the concert, KCHB world premiéred the commissioned work "Jubilee Overture" composed by the renowned local composer, Mr. HUI Cheung Wai.

 

Alongside its brilliant track record in the Hong Kong School Music Festival, KCHB has begun to win ian overseas reputation in recent years under the leadership of Mr. KUAN. In 1998, 2000, 2002 and 2004, KCHB members participated in the Asia Pacific Harmonica Festival (APHF) held in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Seoul (Korea), Atsugi (Japan) and Hong Kong respectively and won numerous awards. In 2005, KCHB members, together with some alumni, made their European début by entering the World Harmonica Festival held in the "Town of Harmonica" – Trossingen, Germany. The members made a Hong Kong history by winning five 1st, one 2nd, and one 3rd prizes.

 

Nowadays, KCHB is a harmonica orchestra consisting of more than 40 members, many of them being experienced and prospective harmonica players. KCHB will continue its tradition of nurturing the new generation of harmonica players, while encouraging more students to get in touch with and appreciate classical music.