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Doctor Music~Chan yee-shing

The Young Reporter (2007, February), 39(05), pp. 6, 7.
Author: Roney Chan Chi-wing, Joey Kwok Wai-ying. Editor: Candice Zhou Ziran, Mandy Ho Ching-man.
Permanent URL - https://sys01.lib.hkbu.edu.hk/bujspa/purl.php?&did=bujspa0015676

Kids sing the rhymes he composed and one of his songs got into the top 15 list last year in the Children's Songs Awarded presented by TVB Jade. TyR reporters Roney Chan Chi-wing and Joey Kwok Wai-ying find out what is behind the music and the medicine.

Children are often afraid of seeing doctors. Being a pediatrician, Dr Chan Yee-shing has, however, successfully made inroads into the kids'world. The small ones call him “Uncle Doctor”.

When it comes to children’s songs, people tend to think it is something “solely for kids” . Yet Dr Chan disagreed, he thought that a good song should be good for all. Through composing and singing, he wanted to deliver messages to everyone so his songs were not only targeted at the young.

“The main purposes of my rhymes are to educate people, to understand the world, to nurture one’s personality and to acknowledge life,” said Dr Chan. “These are important for adults too,” he added.

Dr Chan's songs often keep pace with local current affairs. He has produced songs about protecting the Victoria Harbour, encouraging people to fight against the SARS outbreak, helping to prevent the Dengue fever and also raising concerns about the West-Kowloon cultural development project.

Dr Chan said he wanted to establish resonance with his listeners. “Once people get to know the rhyme, they will be interested to listen to it. Thus, the message beneath will be conveyed and influence people's ideas.”

In 1978, Dr Chan wrote his first song, which was called “Breakthrough” . He recognised that life was full of difficulties. People faced challenges every day, so did children, who often grew up under immense expectations from parents and teachers.

“Our society has handed down wrong values to the kids. Adults would usually use grades and academic performances to judge young people's achievements. Children are identified as losers if they perform badly in exams.”

He hoped that his first song could inspire people to breakthrough the social misconceptions. “Everyone can be a winner,” said Dr Chan with a cheerful smile.

Specialized in pediatrics, Dr Chan often met children and parents in his clinic. He believed a child’s unhealthy self-image was likely to be brought along by his parents.

“People often establish fear during childhood when their parents punish them.” He said this could affect their self-esteem and confidence levels

A father of two, Dr Chan said good communication and respecting children’s rights were the key components of parenting.

“Good communication is all about talking with children in their language, so that they can understand what the adults mean. Then they can make their own decisions.” He said parents should respect and trust their children to have the ability to tell what is right from wrong.

His fascination with music had prompted him to spread his messages through songs. Though not properly musically trained, he considered himself to possess some kind of musical talent.

“I believe music can modify behaviour. It can change our life and culture.”

“I believe music can modify behaviour. It can change our life and culture.”

And Dr Chan found most pop songs nowadays to be sweet-nothing sentimental types. He thought the melancholic nature of the music might affect adolescents' perceptions on life.

“Children may not comprehend all the lyrics, but they can feel the sadness within the melody.”

Despite his dissatisfaction towards the contemporary pop music industry, many of his songs were broadcast on local TV and radio programmes. Each year, TVB Jade would ask for his new songs and pick and air three of them on the kid shows, helping to have his songs identified as nursery rhymes.

With his songs getting popular,“Uncle Doctor” came in the limelight. Some teenagers would ask for his autograph when they bumped into him in the street. “I think they have heard of my songs from the children's programme,” said Dr Chan with delight.

“I hope my songs can encourage people and remind them to be grateful in whatever circumstance.”

Apart from kids, Dr Chan has also received positive responses from parents. “A parent told me that her son has decided to have a more balanced diet after listening to a song of mine about eating according to the food pyramid.”

In recent years, some pop singers have also started singing children's songs. Dr Chan admitted that the competition was not easy to deal with.

“I'm fighting an uphill battle, but composing songs is my dream and ambition. Though I may only change very few people, I will not give up.”

Some might say what Dr Chan has done was relatively insignificant amidst the overwhelming social misconceptions about children.

“It is just like an epitome of life, which is not an easy combat. But I will try my best to achieve my goal,” he said, “I hope my songs can encourage people and remind them to be grateful in whatever circumstance.”

Challenging the dominating culture needs determination and endorsement from others. Dr Chan indeed has gained support from his family and they would sometimes help him with his music. “I don't think many doctors will do the same thing, but I know there are a few people out there fighting like I do.”

Being a Christian, his religion has also helped him to be persistent and committed. “It is important to have faith in God and I am sure everyone can enjoy God's accompany.”

Meanwhile, enjoying everything wholeheartedly is his motto. Not only does he work in his clinic and compose songs, he also releases CD albums, teaches the medics and takes part international medical conferences.

“I have lots to do. But when I am with my family, I would treasure every moment and make the best of it. Similarly, when I go to conferences, I would get myself immersed in it.

Dr Chan has also been working on a new project, called the HK Franklin Graham Festival to be presented towards the end of this year.

He said he hoped his participation could help other Hong Kong families to search for new domestic vitality.

“I believe everyone has a dream, yet often it is inhibited in one's mind.”

For Dr Chan, his dream has obviously taken him much further than he has asked for.

Edited by CANDICE ZHOU ZIRAN and MANDY HO CHING-MAN

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