People have seen Lee-Hom Wang play the guitar, bass, piano, violin, drums and erhu. But, adding to the list is his new instrument - the baton.

Chinese-American musician Lee-Hom Wang shows off a baton presented to him for his upcoming conduction of Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, November 7, 2008. [yule.sohu.com]

The Chinese-American musician will conduct Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra for three shows scheduled between December 22 and 24, the orchestra's chief executive Timothy Calnin announced at a recent press conference.

Accepting a baton especially made for him, Lee-Hom said it was like an early Christmas present. He hoped attendees of the concerts would also think of the shows as a wonderful Christmas gift.

Having been trained at the prestigious Berklee College of Music, Lee-Hom said he was not a stranger to the orchestral podium, and that he was looking forward to the shows where he will collaborate with Gerard Salonga, whose musical influences include Lee-Hom's idol, the late conductor Leonard Bernstein.

The concerts will be held at the Hong Kong Cultural Center Concert Hall, with tickets being sold at HK$220-580 (US$28-75).

(CRI November 11, 2008)