The Greater Bay Area Youth Orchestra rehearses for their inaugural concert at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. Iñak Sandoval (standing), dean of the School of Music at the HKAPA, looks on. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

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 Iñak Sandoval, dean of the School of Music at the HKAPA. 

GBAYO member, clarinetist Yangying, is from Shenzhen. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

Fine-tuning the future

Attending their first training camp in Hong Kong from July 31 to Aug 10, the GBAYO musicians are exposed to full orchestra rehearsals, master classes, and cross-disciplinary workshops. Program highlights include the chance to meet and work together with fellow emerging music talents from across the GBA. 

“This immersive cultural exchange experience allows them to make new friends, build a professional network of colleagues, go on a concert tour, and participate in media interviews, recordings, and related cultural activities,” Sandoval says.

He sounds more than happy with the results of the 11-day residency.

“The high artistic level of the selected young musicians and the participation of internationally renowned coaches and guest conductors will define the orchestra’s future,” Sandoval says. “The HKAPA, together with the other partner institutions, will engage the arts communities of their respective cities to create a beautiful sharing and learning experience through the most universal of languages, namely music.” 

Sharon Choa, head of conducting and cultural leadership (music) at the HKAPA, shares Sandoval’s sentiments. “It has been very exciting for all of us to finally meet all the young musicians from different corners of the GBA,” she says. 

“The young musicians have been working very hard, learning to play their own instrumental sections as well as perform their respective roles in the orchestra,” says Choa, sharing her insider’s perspective. “The sound came across as increasingly harmonious over just the first two days of rehearsals. We can see, and hear, great potential here.”

Sharon Choa, the HKAPA’s head of conducting and cultural leadership (music).(PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

Finding a shared language 

Yangying, a clarinet player from Shenzhen, sounds ecstatic about her time spent at GBAYO’s inaugural training camp. “I have always enjoyed participating in symphony orchestras, and feel fortunate to have found friends from different parts of the GBA with whom I can play music.” 

Before coming to Hong Kong, she was concerned about her inability to speak Cantonese, but after landing at the training camp, all such doubts were put to rest. Her peers from Hong Kong made her feel completely at home. “I believe the GBAYO is an incredibly welcoming family. It’s an organization where I can easily connect with everyone despite the language barrier.”

Like several of her GBAYO fellows,  Yangying is currently on vacation from school. She is happy to have spent her summer holidays doing something meaningful and considers herself lucky for having the opportunity. “Attending the concert tour will not only broaden my horizons but also enrich my holidays,” she says.

The training camp, she says, was exciting but rather hectic. “I could see that the teachers felt responsible for us,” Yangying says, adding that the process of getting to gel with fellow musicians and performing as an ensemble happened quite fast, thanks to active encouragement from the teachers. She is effusive in her praise for the clarinet teacher, Lorenzo Antonio Iosco, who is a bass clarinetist of the Hong Kong Phil. Besides “providing professional guidance”, he also made a huge difference by putting the musicians at ease and “instilling confidence in them”, Yangying says. 

Choa says she couldn’t be prouder of what the young musicians have achieved during the training camp. “I am very impressed with how quickly the young musicians picked up instructions from the coaches,” she says, adding that acquiring of new skills was happening almost at the same speed as friendships were being forged.

“To see them happy and enjoying themselves is my greatest joy,” she says, visibly elated at the success of the program.