MUSIC DIRECTOR & CONDUCTOR
Currently Music Director & Conductor of the Selangor Symphony Orchestra, Eugene Pook has made guest conducting appearances with professional orchestras such as the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, Henan Symphony Orchestra, Xiamen Philharmonic Orchestra, Hong Kong Chamber Orchestra, Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra, Pleven Philharmonic, and others.
Eugene currently also holds position of Founder and Executive Director of the Ipoh Music Festival, Co-Founder and Music Director of PSPA International Ensemble, and has formerly held position as Founder, Music Director & Conductor of the Kinta Valley Wind Orchestra, and Co-Director of the Encounter Training Ensemble of the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra.
Eugene Pook’s selfless contribution to the music industry has benefited youths and communities of all races and backgrounds in his beloved country Malaysia and around the world; in 2012, he was awarded the 10 Outstanding Young Malaysians Award for his cultural contributions and achievements in Malaysia.
Eugene believes in giving back to the society and has performed in charity concerts to raise funds for the Alzheimer Disease Foundation Malaysia (2009, 2014), Jeffrey Cheah Foundation (2016, 2015, 2013, 2011), Dementia Society Ipoh (2017), National Stroke Association Malaysia (2018), Make-A-Wish-Malaysia (2016 & 2019), Assunta Palliative Care Center in Petaling Jaya (2014), Perak Palliative Care Society (2014).
In addition to conducting, Eugene Pook is also a professional clarinet performer and instructor. His clarinet recitals have been much sought after and performed at prestigious venues such as the Carnegie Hall in New York City, the Malaysia Embassy (Washington DC, USA), and the European Union Embassy (Washington DC, USA). His clarinet mentors include Harold Gomez, Jane Carl, and Kenneth Grant. Eugene was a winner of the Concerto Competition of at the University of Missouri-Kansas City (USA) where he performed Copland's Clarinet Concerto with the University's orchestra, and has performed with the American Wind Symphony Orchestra, Eastman Wind Ensemble, Kansas City Philharmonic, Northland Symphony Orchestra, and others.
Eugene Pook studied at the Royal Conservatory of Music (Canada), University of Missouri – Kansas City (U.S.A), and the Eastman School of Music (U.S.A). Eugene was born in Ipoh, Malaysia, and is currently on Board of Trustee of Alzheimer Disease Foundation Malaysia.