Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Wagner Family History 1st to 4th generations

First Generation

In early 19th century, 1st generation, Hoe Fook Ling, at the age 12+ years old, the only son of a Sundry Manager, was send to Japan to learn the art of piano making by his father.

In 1920, Hoe Fook Ling decided to emigrated from Ningbo, Shanghai, China to Singapore. There he set up a piano business Union Piano Shop with a relative at the same time opened a branch in Malaysia (then known as Federation of Malaya). He became the first person to build a piano in Singapore under the piano brand Kinner. With respect, peoples in the piano field, give a nickname to him as King of Piano. During his time in Singapore, his wife, his only son and 6 daughters still remain in China. At the age of 48, he was called back to China as his father was too sick. Since then, he had his early retirement and the piano shop failed to materialize.

Second Generation

His son, the 2nd generation, Hoe Ah Choy follows his father's footsteps and works in the 1st British piano firm, Moutrie, Robinson & Company operating in Shanghai, China as a piano technician.

In 1936, Hoe Ah Choy at the age of 25, was transferred to Malaysia (then known as Federation of Malaya) and reside at a squatter house in Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman (then known as Batu Road) as a tuner and repairer for Moutrie, Robinson & Company.

Moutrie, Robinson & Company closed down in the early 1950s. Later, in 1951, Hoe Ah Choy started a small enterprise Wagner Piano Company along with his wife, Kong Kim Goh, selling new imported pianos from United Kingdom and introduced Wagner piano. Shortly, he started piano assembling from semi-completed form from U.K. and later from Germany and Japan with the help of his children.

In 1960, the company moved to a larger premises at No. 26, Jalan Dang Wangi, (then known as Campbell Road) and at No. 88, Jalan Imbi, (then known as Imbi Road) Kuala Lumpur. There, the family business went one step further by producing the cabinets of the pianos locally in order to stay competitive.

Third Generation

In 1969, the eldest son, 3rd generation Hoe Tuck Wah and his siblings, embarked on piano making courses and visiting traditional piano making factories in United Kingdom, Europe, United Stated of America as well as in Japan, Taiwan and South Korea and also by stripping down good German and England pianos to find out the secrets of their craftsmanship and also to evaluate the viability of piano manufacturing.

In 1972, Hoe Tuck Wah started Malaysia first and only piano factory Musical Product Sdn. Bhd. was set up in Lahat (just outside Ipoh), Perak, Malaysia manufacturing pianos under license brands like Challen, Witton & Witton, Barratt & Robinson from England and brand C.Steinbert from German scale designed brand C.Steinbert by D.H. Dotzek with the help of his brothers.

As the company organization continues to expand, on 16th April 1975, Wagner Piano Company was transformed into a private limited company and renamed to Wagner Piano Sdn. Bhd. In 1980's, Wagner Piano Sdn Bhd took over Petrof Piano House in Singapore and renamed to Wagner Petrof Piano Pte Ltd (agent for Petrof pianos for South-East Asia and Australasia)

Standing from L-R : Patrick, Tuck Foo, Mary, Tuck Wah, Sai Kuen
Sitting from L-R : Tuck Liong, Philip, Mr Hoe Ah Choy, Ivan,
Mrs Hoe (Kong Kim Goh) and Simon

Later in the years 1981, 1987 to the late 1990's, the 3rd generations of the Hoes (with 7 brothers and 2 sisters)

  1. Hoe Tuck Wah
  2. Hoe Tuck Foo
  3. Mary Ho May Li
  4. Ho Sai Kuen
  5. Patrick Hoe Tuck Pui
  6. Hoe Tuck Liong
  7. Philip Hoe Tuck Hao
  8. Simon Ho Tuck Wan
  9. Ivan Hoe Tuck Fong

setting up piano business trade with different companies name in Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore.

These companies are :

(3rd Generation) (4th Generation)

  • Vienna Music Sdn. Bhd./ Musical Product- (Hoe Tuck Wah) (Liza Hoe)
  • Syarikat Alat-Alat Muzik Weng Lee- (Hoe Tuck Foo) (David Hoe, Steven Hoe, Nancy Hoe)
  • Wagner Piano Sdn. Bhd.- (Hoe Tuck Pui & Hoe & Hoe Tuck Hao) (James Hoe)
  • Wagner Music Shop- (Ho Tuck Wan) (Peter Ho & Susan Ho)
  • Wagner Piano Company- (Hoe Tuck Fong)

have grown into one of the most established and reputable piano retailers and wholesalers in Malaysia.

Fourth Generation

Wagner Music Shop (previously Wagner Piano Sdn Bhd) owned by Ho Tuck Wan (Simon Ho) registered Wagner Music Shop from year 2000,after working for over 30 years in Wagner Piano Sdn Bhd. During the years in Wagner Piano Sdn Bhd, Simon Ho were in charge of Wagner Piano Sdn Bhd and Musical Products factory. Mr. Ho then expand business throughout Perak, Sabah, Sarawak, Singapore, Brunei and etc specialize in manufacturing, tuning and repairing.

Simon Ho's oldest son Peter Ho graduated in Hawaii, USA under Bachelor of Business Administration in 2004. He then went to work in companies under Austrians and Texchem Tan Sri Fumihiko Konishi. But decided to come back to Wagner Music Shop in 2008. Simon Ho taught his oldest son, Peter Ho in major piano restoration, repair, tuning and after sales service methods. Peter overall contributed on Business Administration, Purchasing and Customer relations.

Simon Ho's oldest daughter Joyce Ho graduated in Frankfurt, Germany with master in music pedagogy and a piano performing. She also received piano competition awards, the associated board of Royal Schools of Music, London & Trinity College London Diploma. She is teaching professional piano playing to students in University College Sedaya International, University of Malaya and etc and also to expatriates and professionals. Since her return in Malaysia, she has performed in several solo concerts as well as colleborating with some other musicians in Malaysia.

Simon Ho's youngest daughter Susan Ho is a certified professional teacher, training children from ages 2 to 5, a program under kinder beat. She is teaching piano classes from beginner students to advanced students.

5 comments:

  1. Hi Mr Ho,
    I tried to join you,
    I am Sophie Voisin from Singapore
    I need you to come back to verify something on my piano since you came and change my hammers , please can you call me as I don't have your tel nber in Malaysia and you are no more um in Singapore. Thank you very much in advance
    Sophie

    ReplyDelete
  2. Many online games use a "free-to-play" or "freemium" model, in which players can work hard to earn rewards or buy upgrades at a "cash shop" using real money. Give it careful consideration if you want to buy. This will keep you from actually progressing in the game by earning these rewards. But purchasing these things can make the game more entertaining and save you some time.OSRS gold for sale on rsgoldfast.com!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Each family has a rich history and culture. This culture is inheritance, yes, and it is also a valuable asset.
    MMOTBC provides the safest Burning Crusade Classic Gold For Sale, Buy WOW TBC Classic Gold With Fast Delivery and Secure Payments on mmotbc.com.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Elegant, Sophisticated, Flattering ... Bridesmaid Dresses Your Maids Will Be Wearing To Parties Long After Your Wedding Day

    Your besties are important to you - and that's why you've asked these phones be your prom dresses and share in your wedding day.

    So you're hardly will make them wear burgundy bridesmaid dresses that do not flatter - ask your curvy girlfriend to go with a bias cut number that will do her no favors. Or your less well-endowed friend to put on a strapless number that frankly makes her chest seem like an empty envelope.

    Oh no. You're a real friend, not really a bridezilla and you are going to allow them to choose dresses that actually flatter and suit them - maybe just tie in the wedding theme with colors but leave the design and style, necklines, and length as much as them

    Bridesmaids Dresses For Partying

    Now why not go a measure further and suggest some dresses that the bridesmaids love SO much, they are likely to be dying to put on them over and over after your special day and celebrations are gone. Dresses that appear to be so good, they're likely to be on full show in the next party season.

    In which case you have to look at frocks such as the ones above that do not shout 'bridesmaid dress'.

    Think concerning the occasions they may be worn for later on. Dessy's floral print frocks are available in some styles - spaghetti straps and strapless and different colorways. Perfect for afternoon parties or summer evenings.

    Then should you go for a dark, deep color inside a rich fabric, you will get more of a night time dress look. Add a diamante detail in the waist or around the shoulder for many glitzy glamor. Here you have to think about colors like black, midnight blue, forest green, berry shades, aubergine ...

    Mind you, referring to glitzy glamor, you can examine out Dessy's new sequinned separates in rose gold, and five other colorways, in addition to dazzling dresses.

    ReplyDelete
  5. gobanney sell all kinds of bags, especially customized services. Including Men/Women Backpacks, kid's bag, Handbags/Messenger/WaitBags, Women sling bags for women, Travel Sports Bags, etc. The packages are complete in variety, sufficient in stock and delivered on time. Regular discount, low price to get the same products as usual.

    ReplyDelete