GBA Youth Orchestra ready to strike a chord

Since 2018, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government has made a concerted effort to support cultural exchanges between artists and arts groups from different cities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and it is perhaps most befitting that the journey of an orchestra comprising talented young musicians selected from across the length and breadth of the GBA should be flagged off from this city.

The Greater Bay Area Youth Orchestra's Debut Concert Tour kicks off this evening at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. The much-anticipated concert series, featuring the finest of young musicians representing different corners of the GBA, will see performances of Beethoven's Triple Concerto, Dvorak's Symphony No 9 and Tan Dun's Internet Symphony No 1. Following their inauguration in Hong Kong, the orchestra travels to Macao, Shenzhen and Guangzhou.

Supported by the Swire Group, and hosted by the HKAPA, the GBAYO program was launched to fulfill two major aims: To create a distinguished platform for classical orchestral performances featuring the finest of young talents from across the GBA, and, eventually, steer the young orchestra toward finding a foothold on the global stage.

The recruitment process began in February. Musicians aged 16 to 24, and born, graduated from or residing in the GBA were invited to apply. Finally, 88 from among the hundreds of young hopefuls were chosen.

The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, the Xinghai Conservatory of Music, the Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra, and the Macao Orchestra will have a role in honing the skills of the selected musicians. The idea is to establish an annual event, with each of these esteemed music organizations taking turns to guide the music ensemble.

"The inaugural camp hosted by the HKAPA and concert tour provide unique opportunities to young musicians in the GBA to develop their talents in a professional setting," says Iak Sandoval, dean of the School of Music at the HKAPA.