4 SEP 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media enquiries:
Woodland Tse
Programme Manager, TOA
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 2584 8434
Emily Hui
Media Relations and Communications Manager, HK Phil
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 2721 1585
Communications Office, HKAPA
Email: c[email protected]
Tel: 2584 8325
[4 Sept 2023] The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HK Phil) and The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA) are delighted to announce the musicians selected for The Orchestra Academy Hong Kong (TOA)’s two schemes in its third season, Beyond Boundaries. TOA welcomes the four new Fellows to the Fellowship Programme* and is pleased to have 23 Young Pro Platform (YPP)^ players this season.
Co-directed by the HK Phil and the School of Music of the HKAPA, TOA offers professional training for outstanding HKAPA Music graduates and supports their career development in the orchestral field through its two schemes – Fellowship Programme and YPP. Those admitted to TOA will also contribute their talents to serving the community through volunteering opportunities. TOA is funded by “TrustTomorrow” of The Swire Group Charitable Trust (Swire Trust) with a pledged sponsorship of approximately HK$9 million over a 3-year period.
Providing professional orchestral training opportunities, the Fellowship Programme nurtured a total of 11 Fellows from the first two seasons, where they performed under the baton of world-class conductors in a wide range of programmes. They also had a memorable time learning practical orchestral skills and knowledge by playing with professional musicians and receiving personalised career guidance through the mentorship scheme.
‘TrustTomorrow’s vision is to make a positive impact on the community. By supporting TOA, we hope to nurture more young, home-grown musicians who not only excel in their musical endeavours but also enjoy serving others through the programme’s volunteering opportunities,’ said Tina Chan, Group Head of Philanthropy at John Swire & Sons (H.K.) Limited.
‘I am delighted to meet new talented Fellows every season. They have infused the HK Phil with youthful vigour and obtained valuable live orchestral experiences from our professional players, guest soloists and conductors,’ said Jaap van Zweden, Music Director of the HK Phil.
Challenging the traditional boundary of classical music, YPP serves as a medium for its players to express their creative ideas through unconventional programming and concert presentations. After the highly acclaimed inaugural concerts, Eroica Reimagined, YPP continued to promote their message of “sea change” in music presentations, incorporating theatrical elements directed by Roy Szeto, Tony Wong and Becca Cheung in the Towards A Sea Change concerts last season.
‘Young Pro Platform was created to unleash the immense creativity, imagination and musical talent that many of our graduates innately possess. After two years of “Venturing into the Unknown” and working “Towards a Sea Change”, the players begin to realise that their creativity sees no boundaries. This season, our theme is exactly that: ”Beyond Boundaries”. We hope to present to audiences concert ideas that are designed with the players’ utmost imagination and creativity!’ said Sharon Andrea Choa, Artistic Director of YPP and Head of Conducting and Cultural Leadership (Music) of HKAPA.
Selected musicians for The Orchestra Academy Hong Kong (2023/24 Season)
*Fellowship Programme:
About the Fellows, please click here
Instrument
Name
Oboe
Clarinet
Trumpet
Trombone
Julian Wan Leuk-jo
Fong Shing
Bowie Yu Long-ching
Anson Woo Ho-ting
^Young Pro Platform:
About the players, please click here
Instrument
Name
Violin
Viola
Cello
Double Bass
Flute
Oboe
Clarinet
Bassoon
Saxophone
Horn
Trumpet
Trombone
Percussion
Calvin Cheng Ho-chung
Joshua Chan Chak-him
Martin Kuo
Shawn Tam
Vincent Leung Cheuk-yan
Yvonne Chan Yui-woon
Evette Chiu Yat-wing
Angus Lee Yi-wei
Alice Hui Ka-ching
Kenneth Sze Yu-hey
Cecilia Wan Lok-yu
Eric Fung Chi-hang
Frederick Fung Chi-chuen
So Lo-ling
Kaden Yim Ho-yan
Jacky Leung
Herman Pong Tin-yau
Rainbow Sun Xijun
Oscar Lam Wai-hang
Lewis Yip Long-wai
Jimmy Chiu Hon-kuen
Sunny Ho Tze-fai
Bryony Che Hiu-lam
The Orchestra Academy Hong Kong (2023/24 Season)
Programme Overview
*Fellowship Programme
Objective: Fellows will receive an intensive orchestral training with the HK Phil. They will learn about the expectations and protocols of a professional orchestra while performing a wide range of symphonic repertoire. In the mentorship scheme, each Fellow pairs up with an assigned HK Phil musician to gain insights into the professional life of orchestral players.
- Up to six Fellows will undergo an intensive orchestral training over one season
- Around 70 % participation in orchestral services with the HK Phil. It includes observing
and attending orchestra rehearsals and concerts, as well as performing alongside
HK Phil musicians - Around 30% engagement in chamber music, masterclasses, audition training and workshops
- Participation in mentorship scheme with an assigned HK Phil musician
^Young Pro Platform
Objective: Young Pro Platform offers a versatile season-long programme that includes two full ensemble concerts and a series of chamber music concerts. YPP encourages players to commit to high-calibre performances and to take an active role in curating specially designed concert programmes.
- 23 players selected for a versatile season programme, including 2 full ensemble concerts and a series of chamber music concerts
- Explore concerts with specially designed themes and innovative concert presentation
- Encourage players to commit to high-calibre performances and curate their creative
concert ideas - Selected players to participate in HK Phil educational and community concerts
Training (for both Fellows and Young Pro Platform players)
- Masterclasses and workshops on orchestral and audition subjects
- Lectures on the development of self-management, entrepreneurial and administrative topics
Volunteering services (for both Fellows and Young Pro Platform players)
- Contribute talents to society through volunteering opportunities
Media Photos (Click the thumbnail to download photos)
Selected Fellows for Fellowship Programme (from left to right):
Julian Wan Leuk-jo (oboe), Fong Shing (clarinet), Bowie Yu Long-ching (trumpet), Anson Woo Ho-ting (trombone)
Selected players for Young Pro Platform (from left to right):
Front row: Vincent Leung Cheuk-yan (cello), Martin Kuo (viola), Yvonne Chan Yui-woon (double bass), Shawn Tam (cello), Alice Hui Ka-ching (flute), Kenneth Sze Yu-hey (oboe), Eric Fung Chi-hang (clarinet), Cecilia Wan Lok-yu (oboe), Rainbow Sun Xijun (horn), Joshua Chan Chak-him (violin), Calvin Cheng Ho-chung (violin), Evette Chiu Yat-wing (double bass) |
Back row:
Sunny Ho Tze-fai (percussion), Kaden Yim Ho-yan (bassoon), Bryony Che Hiu-lam (percussion), Lewis Yip Long-wai (trumpet), Jacky Leung (saxophone), Angus Lee Yi-wei (flute), Frederick Fung Chi-chuen (clarinet), Oscar Lam Wai-hang (trumpet), Herman Pong Tin-yau (saxophone), Jimmy Chiu Hon-kuen (trombone), So Lo-ling (bassoon)
Tina Chan
Group Head of Philanthropy,
John Swire & Sons (H.K.) Limited
Benedikt Fohr
Director of The Orchestra Academy Hong Kong,
Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra
Photo Credit: Eric Hong/HK Phil
Iñaki Sandoval
Dean of Music,
The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts
Photo Credit: HKAPA
Sharon Andrea Choa
Artistic Director of Young Pro Platform,
Head of Conducting and Cultural Leadership (Music), The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts
Photo Credit: HKAPA
Jaap van Zweden
Music Director of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra
Photo Credit: Eric Hong/HK Phil
Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra
Photo Credit: Keith Hiro/HK Phil
Young Pro Platform – Towards A Sea Change: Mission Possible Performance at The Box, Freespace
Co-presented by: Freespace, West Kowloon Cultural District
Photo Credit: Ike Images/TOA
Quarryside Chamber Music Series: Young Pro Platform – Towards A Sea Change
Venue Partner: Quarry Bay Harbourfront Community Space ‘Quarryside’
Photo Credit: Ike Images/TOA
Mock Audition Workshop on Woodwind, Brass and Percussion
Left: Julian Wan Leuk-jo (Fellow)
Right: Michael Wilson (Principal Oboe, HK Phil)
Photo Credit: Ike Images/TOA
Community Outreach Performance at Tin Ka Ping Secondary School
Special thanks: Tin Ka Ping Foundation
Photo Credit: Ike Images/TOA
About the Swire Group Charitable Trust (swire.com)
Established in 1983, the Swire Group Charitable Trust (Swire Trust) is a Hong Kong charity registered under section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance. Its aim is to effect positive change in the areas of Education, Marine Conservation, and the Arts by supporting registered non-profit organisations, primarily in Hong Kong. Swire Trust is overseen by the Philanthropy Council, which is chaired by a member of Swire senior management. In March 2021, Swire Trust launched the HK$150 million TrustTomorrow funding initiative. Since the launch of TrustTomorrow, Swire Trust has funded over 50 inspirational projects that aim to bring lasting benefits and positive change to the community, as well as supporting pandemic relief projects.
About Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HK Phil) (hkphil.org)
The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HK Phil) is regarded as one of the leading orchestras in Asia. Professionalised in 1974, the orchestra celebrates its 50th anniversary during the 2023/24 season. Collaborating with internationally renowned conductors and soloists, the orchestra presents more than 150 concerts and attracts more than 200,000 music lovers annually. The HK Phil promotes the work of Hong Kong and Chinese composers, commissions new works, nurtures local talent and runs extensive education and community programmes. With Music Director Jaap van Zweden since 2012, the HK Phil has toured Europe, Asia, Australia and extensively across Mainland China. Yu Long has been Principal Guest Conductor since the 2015/16 Season, and Lio Kuokman was appointed Resident Conductor in December 2020. The HK Phil won the prestigious UK classical music magazine Gramophone’s 2019 Orchestra of the Year Award – the first orchestra in Asia to receive this accolade. Recent recording projects with Jaap include the complete Ring Cycle by Richard Wagner, Mahler’s Symphony no. 10 (concert version ed. Mengelberg/Dopper), and Shostakovich’s Symphony no. 10.
About The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA) (hkapa.edu)
The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA), established by The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts Ordinance in 1984, is a leading tertiary institution in the performing arts in Asia. It provides professional undergraduate education and practice-based postgraduate studies. The study encompasses Chinese Opera, Dance, Drama, Film and Television, Music, and Theatre and Entertainment Arts. Its educational philosophy reflects the cultural diversity of Hong Kong with emphasis on Chinese and Western traditions, and interdisciplinary learning. Since 2008, the Academy has attained the Programme Area Accreditation (PAA) status awarded by the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications (HKCAAVQ) to self-monitor and accredit its own undergraduate and post-secondary programmes in the five programme areas of Dance, Drama, Film and Television, Music, and Theatre and Entertainment Arts. Since 2016, the PAA status has been extended to cover Master’s Degree programmes and below; and since 2023, the programmes operated by the School of Chinese Opera accredited by HKCAAVQ has also received PAA status for its post-secondary and undergraduate programmes. Besides the main campus in Wanchai, Béthanie, the site of the Academy’s Landmark Heritage Campus in Pokfulam, has housed training facilities for the School of Film and Television since 2006. In the QS University Rankings announced in 2023, the Academy ranks 1st in Asia and 13th in the world in the Performing Arts category.
