KOTA KINABALU, SABAH – The Rotary Club of Kota Kinabalu Pearl celebrated its 12th Installation Night in spectacular fashion at Hilton Kota Kinabalu, featuring an inspiring evening of world-class music headlined by Taiwan’s renowned Crossplay Piano Ensemble (CPE) together with talented local saxophonist Zara and her long-time mentor, Teacher David.
The gala dinner not only marked the installation of the Club’s new leadership but also served as a charity fundraising event in support of the Sabah Autism Society and Seri Mengasih Centre, reaffirming the Club’s commitment to inclusion, community service, and empowering individuals with special needs.
International Acclaim from Crossplay Piano Ensemble
The evening’s highlight was a captivating performance by the internationally acclaimed Crossplay Piano Ensemble (CPE), Taiwan’s pioneering multi-hand piano ensemble.
Founded in 2009 by German-trained pianist Hsueh-Fong Chien, CPE is led by Art Director Sophie Szu-Hui Yu and Executive Director Jung-Sheng Hsu. The ensemble’s virtuoso performers—Hsueh-Fong Chien, Jung-Sheng Hsu, Min-Hao Tsai, and Chieh-Sheng Huang—presented an extraordinary programme featuring:
* Raining Sky for Piano 8 Hands – Sheng-Hsien Liu / Min-Hao Tsai (Hakka Folk Song)
* Fantaisie-Impromptu in C-sharp Minor, Op. 66 – Frédéric Chopin
* Boléro for Piano 8 Hands, Melodica and Cajón – Maurice Ravel (Arranged by CPE)
* Galop-Marche for Piano 8 Hands – Albert Lavignac (Arranged by C. Sischka)
Recognised internationally for their innovative performances, CPE has appeared at prestigious concert venues across Taiwan, Germany, Japan and China, including the National Concert Hall in Taipei, National Taichung Theater, and Weiwuying National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts.
A Heartwarming Homegrown Performance
Adding a personal and emotional touch to the evening was a memorable performance by young local saxophonist Zara, who performed Time by Jimmy Sax accompanied by its original live symphonic orchestra backing track.
The audience was then treated to a special reunion performance as Zara shared the stage with her mentor, Teacher David, in a saxophone duet of the third movement from the Concerto for Alto Saxophone in E Minor—the same piece featured in Zara’s final ABRSM examination repertoire.
The performance celebrated an inspiring mentorship spanning more than eight years. Teacher David has guided Zara since she was just nine years old, mentoring her through all eight levels of the ABRSM examinations and helping shape her musical journey.
Their reunion also brought back memories of Zara’s first public performance at the age of 13 during Kian Kok’s 2022 Annual Concert, where the pair impressed audiences with a jazz-rock interpretation of Beethoven’s Für Elise, prepared in just one week.
Celebrating Music, Service and Community
The evening beautifully showcased how music transcends cultures and generations, bringing together internationally acclaimed musicians and local talent in support of meaningful community causes. The performances reflected the Rotary Club of KK Pearl’s vision of fostering friendship, celebrating excellence and creating lasting social impact through services.
