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A
Melodious, Hearty, Meaningful Interview with JOSIE
 On
a sunny Saturday afternoon, lively music and beautiful
children voices danced melodiously from the Bear's
Children Choir studio room to the corridors. Josie
is practicing songs and dances happily with the
choir members. They are having their regular lessons
here in the studio. These active boys and girls
have a busy yearly schedule packed with performances
in television programmes, cultural centers, concerts,
charity shows and musicals etc. Their work doesn't
end here, they also produce their own soundtracks
and VCDs, topping the nursery-rhyme records market
in Hong Kong every year. Bear's
Children Choir might be the only choir in the
city, which specializes in producing music for young
kids. And the music commissioner of the choir is
Josie---the focus of our interview.
Superwoman?
a lyrics composer, a playwright, a director, an
editor
 Josie
is a lyrics composer, a playwright, a director,
an editor, (a superwoman) etc. etc., possessing
awesome talents as far as you can name. She treasures
her young choir members one by one inside her heart.
Josie is not only a loving teacher to them, but
also an understanding friend, who shares their joys
and sadness whenever in ups or downs. In case you
do not know, they even call her closely by the name
of “Mom”!
Keys
to sucess
 Most
people may always wonder what are the “keys to success”
for the successful people. For Josie, it was no
extraordinary. As a little girl, Josie had already
had great interest in music. It is a gift to her
and she's born with it. She always ran close to
the radio in her home, turn on the large knobs,
and listen enjoyingly to a variety of music in English,
Putonghua, and Cantonese. In secondary school, she
became an active member of the choir and formed
the Folk Song Ensemble. At the same time, she started
her try out in composing lyrics when she attended
the church. Of course, everything is hard at the
beginning and perfection's rare, and so are Josie’s
first few compositions. She mentioned, “I am not
afraid of trying out new things. I keep trying and
focusing till I find my ideal interest. At that
time, a great sense of motivation deep inside me
encourages me to develop my interest--music, as
a career, and that’show it all started.” Not many
of her choir members may know that Josie actually
started her job as a secretary in a records company.
She handles administrative work mainly, and one
of  her
tasks is to hurry up the progress of both songs
and lyrics composers. Once in a very coincident
chance, a lyrics composer couldn't finish his work
long after the deadline. Her boss had no idea of
what to do, but he knew that Josie could compose,
so he gave her this chance to finish the lyrics
for the song. And what's more coincident in this
coincidence, it was a song for children. “ At that
moment, I felt an alarm has waken me, it reminded
me that I have abandoned my interest for long, and
perhaps I would like to go back to it, or even make
it my long-term career.” From then on, she started
her own business, and became one of the pioneers
in the children's music field.
In addition, she would like to express a message
through our magazine to youngsters nowadays, that
finding one's own interest is very important, since
she had met with quite a lot difficulties and wasted
time during the change-over from administrative
work to music production work. “It seemed like walking
through a large, large circle, and then going back
to the beginning again.” She smiled as she sentiments
her past days.
“Mom”isn't
really that easy
 When
asked of her job and workload, Josie familiarly
listed out her busy schedule. As I listened, I was
quite astonished. She had to attend to various jobs
of the choir and the company, both big and small,
enormous and tiny. Her work isn't easy. For example,
participating in producing language-learning materials,
teaching aids for kids, original soundtracks of
the choir, composing the songs and lyrics, manufacturing
the CD, designing the cover and the booklet, editing
the monthly “Bear's
Music Issues” etc. But, keep in mind that the
word “produce” in here, means starting every thing
from “0” by herself. “That was a real lot,” she
said. “ I also like to write scripts and musicals
for the children to perform.” She especially encourages
children to perform in musicals. Since she thinks
that they are the ideal way to fully develop their
artistic skills. Children need to manage singing,
dancing, as well as acting in a musical. What’s
more to it, is that it could train and build up
their characters well. She will also spend some
time every Saturday during lessons, to chat with
the children or listen to them. By this, she could
understand them more, and obtain inspiration for
lyrics-composing. Being a “Mom” isn't really that
easy. There is one Chinese saying which says,” The
Able does More”, and Josie is a very good example.
"
I will eat.”
 By
reviewing the experiences from her work, she concluded.“
Time, is short. But believe it you can do quite
a lot of things, by ‘stealing’ it bit by bit from
places where they are easily wasted. The most important
thing is that, you know how to manage your time
well when you are busy. Also, don't try to set a
goal far too high for yourself to reach, do the
things before you first.” As Josie is busy person
and doesn't have much time, I am interested in knowing
her method of reducing pressure. Josie grinned happily
and said," I will eat.” (What a coincidence,
me too!)
ABC
 As
a children music producer, Josie said that this
industry is not yet familiar with most of the Hong
Kong people. In this economic-based society, few
mass media would focus on the needs and upbringing
of children. The quality of songs for children in
Hong Kong is uneven, some are what the children
really need, some are just for the sake of business.
“ In foreign countries, musicians who compose and
sing children songs might even be as famous as a
Superstar. But in Hong Kong, it is still impossible
at the moment.” she said. Many people may think
that these songs are useless, and are only for little
kids to learn their ABCs. “Actually, for nursery
rhymes, story songs etc. Yes. You may call them
‘songs for children’, but in the world of music,
there is no limit of age. If you feel you can relax,
you can be happy, you can be as light as a cloud
floating in the sky, you can find your own dreams,
that is a kind of good music.”
GOALS?
 Bear's
Children Choir is renowned for making educational
music for children, teaching them moral concepts
and telling them stories through songs of different
languages. They have even captured many awards
in story-telling competitions, television
prize presentations, etc. So what are Josie's
and their long term goals? It is to create more
of their original songs, bringing Bear's Children
Choir's voice to more places; and performing musical
performances of their own, bringing a new era of
children art to Hong Kong.“ As for me, I would continue
to work hard in my career of music.” Said Josie.
By
: Bear Children's Choir - Teresa
Lau (Big Bear)2001.11.12
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