Ipoh born conductor Eugene Pook’s selfless contribution to the music industry has benefited youths and communities of all races and backgrounds as well as professional musicians in Malaysia and around the world. This is part of the process of developing into a civilized society that Eugene aspires for Malaysia. In 2012, he was awarded the “10 Outstanding Young Malaysians Award” for his cultural contributions and achievements in Malaysia.
Eugene Pook is currently Founder, Music Director and Conductor of the Selangor Symphony Orchestra, a local professional orchestra which serves as a platform for Malaysia’s top professional classical musicians showcasing the accumulated growth of the Malaysian classical music scene. In addition he is also Founding Member, Music Director of the PSPA (Perak Society of Performing Arts) International Ensemble. Since 2007, the PSPA International Ensemble has been bringing in acclaimed international musicians to perform alongside with top Malaysian musicians, providing world-class tour performances across the country as well as music workshops to nurture and inspire Malaysian youths.
Eugene Pook is also Founder, Music Director and Conductor of the Kinta Valley Wind Orchestra, the only community orchestra in Perak for the amateurs. Since 2010, KVWO has provided platforms for hundreds of amateurs musicians from various ages, backgrounds, religions and ethnicities. The objective is to attract amateur musicians from across society, who may have (or have no) talent untapped thus far, to come forward and develop their potential and to nurture their musical talents and enrich their lives.
In addition, Eugene Pook is also Artistic Director and Conductor of the Kuala Lumpur Pops Orchestra, and was former co-director & conductor of the Encounter Training Ensemble of the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra.
Eugene Pook’s guest appearances with professional orchestras include the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra; Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra; Pleven Philharmonic; and China’s leading orchestras such as the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, Henan Symphony Orchestra, Xiamen Philharmonic Orchestra, and Hong Kong Chamber Orchestra. Besides serving as a music director and conductor, Eugene is also a professional clarinetist who has performed clarinet recitals at prestigious venues such as: the Carnegie Hall (New York City); the Malaysia Embassy (Washington DC, U.S.A.); and the European Union Embassy (Washington DC, U.S.A.). He has also performed and toured with the American Wind Symphony, Toronto Philharmonic, Kansas City Philharmonia (USA), Northland Symphony Orchestra (USA), and Eastman Wind Ensemble (USA). Eugene was prize-winner of the Concerto-Aria Competition of the University of Missouri – Kansas City (which he performed the Copland’s Clarinet Concerto with the UMKC Conservatory Orchestra) as well as finalist (3 of finalists) of the David Maslanka Clarinet Competition at the Eastman School of Music in New York.
Eugene Pook studied at the Royal Conservatory of Music (Canada), University of Missouri – Kansas City (U.S.A), and the renowned Eastman School of Music (U.S.A) where the latter he was a double-award recipient, and is now conducting tutor at the University of Malaya. Eugene has also taught at the British International School Kuala Lumpur.
Eugene Pook is also advisor of the Youth Circle of Arts (YCA) Malaysia and is also an active speaker for youths for across Malaysia and aboard.