Student-led orchestra Hong Kong Youth Philharmonia is a community for musicians to grow

Six secondary school students started the group in 2021. Every summer, HKYP invites secondary school pupils and university students to prepare for its yearly concert.

Isaac Chan has been performing with this group since it first began. This year, the 18-year-old was a conductor and committee member. He is studying music at the University of Cambridge in Britain.

“[Going] from the performers’ seat last year to standing on the podium looking back at the whole orchestra ... it’s pretty nostalgic,” he said.

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Kingston Chan was also part of this year’s planning committee. The 18-year-old is now studying at the Cologne University of Music and Dance in Germany. He valued the experience of planning HKYP’s concerts.

“We don’t have a coach or any help from adults,” he said. “I learned so many things, like how to collaborate with others, and that’s what I love about it.”

Kingston added that the event was a special chance for young musicians to be leaders. But running the organisation came with challenges.

For example, when the group’s usual rehearsal spot was being renovated this year, they had to adapt. They eventually found space at Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU).

“We had to reach out to PolyU and use their concert hall, so we didn’t have much time to work out the acoustics, which caused some issues,” Kingston explained.

The choice of music is another important part of the group’s work. Isaac, who selected the music for this year’s concert, described the process.

“Each year, after the concert, we have a questionnaire for both audiences and players, and we consider what will work well for a concert ... We also discuss it with the founders,” he said.

This year’s concert was held in August, and it was HKYP’s fourth anniversary. Its programme included Dreaming of Butterfly, which was composed by one of the group’s founders. Isaac said HKYP’s goal was to unite young talent, from Form One beginners to music students in their final year of university.

One of the youngest members is 13-year-old violinist Angel Leung.

During performances, Angel focused on staying calm. “I just try to enjoy it ... Even if I make mistakes, I keep playing because everyone makes mistakes,” she said.

For Isaac, the group is more than an orchestra; it is a community: “I always try to get to know my players ... When a group knows each other and communicates well, there’s a common morale, and sometimes the conductor does not even need to be there.”

In the future, Kingston hopes HKYP’s mission will continue: “When the founders and I are no longer involved, I hope the younger ones will take responsibility and make it happen every year.”

He added: “There’s a new generation of classical musicians ... Soon, they will achieve things beyond Hong Kong.”

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