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Chief Secretary Carrie Lam
Founded in 1990, AYO (the Asian Youth Orchestra) is committed to and has accomplished the vision of creating an orchestra that can unite young musicians across the region, inspire them to unleash their full potential, and celebrate the excellence of their talent. Since its inaugural performance 26 years ago, the orchestra has performed in over 360 concerts in Asia, Europe, the US and Australia to an audience of more than 1 million concertgoers. Under the guidance of its Board of Directors, the total dedication of its Executive Committee and the selfless efforts of its administration staff, AYO has become a leading youth orchestra that comprises the finest young musicians in Asia.
Every year, the orchestra runs a three-week rehearsal summer camp in Hong Kong followed by a concert tour to different cities. The cultural exchange programme offers Asia's brightest young musicians exceptional opportunities for study and performance in an international environment. This year, we have with us 110 gifted musicians from different parts of Asia including Mainland China, Taiwan, Macau, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and of course Hong Kong. I am particularly delighted to learn that 18 of them are our local youngsters. After all, Hong Kong has been the home base of the orchestra over the last 26 years.
The orchestra will open its concert tour with performances in Hong Kong and continue on to 10 other cities in Asia. The performances celebrate the rich cultural life of the city. Though the tour will be exhausting, I am sure our young musicians will find it most enjoyable and rewarding. What is most valuable is not only the opportunity to perform, but the friendship that will emerge from such a diverse gathering of young people sharing the same interest and passion.
Next year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. To commemorate this important stage of historic significance to Hong Kong, the Government is collaborating with AYO to stage an ambitious world tour in 2017 to major cities in the Mainland, Europe, the US and Asia, showcasing the vibrancy of our arts scene, recognising the achievements of the younger generation and projecting this Asian friendship to the world.
I would like to express my sincere thanks to all sponsors and donors in Hong Kong and across Asia for their staunch support for the orchestra. Your kindness and generosity have helped the orchestra flourish in the past 26 years, and opened the way for our young musicians to achieve their full potential and make their dreams come true.
Chief Secretary Carrie Lam gave these remarks at the 26th Asian Youth Orchestra Summer Festival opening ceremony on July 18.
