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Following is the speech by the Chief Executive Mr Donald Tsang at the Asian Youth Orchestra 20th anniversary summer festival (rehearsal camp) opening ceremony held at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts this morning (July 19):
Mr (Richard) Pontzious, Consuls General, members of the orchestra, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
It's a great pleasure to join you for the opening ceremony of the Asian Youth Orchestra rehearsal camp.
A very warm welcome to the many gifted young musicians from all over Asia to Hong Kong for this year's orchestra.
It was 20 years ago that Richard, with the help of some like-minded friends, launched the Asian Youth Orchestra. Since then, the project has unearthed incredible musical talent and delighted audiences around the world.
Once again this year, 100 of Asia's finest young musicians are about to embark on an orchestral journey of a lifetime.
For two decades, the intensive rehearsal camp, coached by celebrated artists from renowned orchestras, and the concert tour that follows, have inspired many youngsters to achieve their full potential in music.
This year's camp promises to be a particularly memorable one as the orchestra celebrates its 20th anniversary.
The Hong Kong Government is delighted to support the "Hong Kong Music Summer". This month-long festival will promote orchestral music to the local community with concerts, master classes, instrument workshops and seminars.
The festival will also re-unite alumni of the orchestra based in Asia and around the world for a unique concert in Hong Kong next month.
Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Richard and everyone else involved in the orchestra over the years. Your vision and dedication have helped to make the dreams of many young musicians come true.
It has also raised the profile of Asia's musical talent around the world.
My Administration is fully committed to nurturing the creative talent of our youngsters. Performing arts will provide the backbone for our most ambitious ongoing project - the West Kowloon Cultural District.
This project will help to establish Hong Kong as a cultural hub in Asia. No doubt, when it is completed, many of you will have the chance to perform at venues along our spectacular West Kowloon waterfront.
In the meantime, we are working to strengthen cultural software through arts programme development, audience building, arts education, manpower training and cultural exchanges.
Indeed, we share the same vision as the Asian Youth Orchestra in nurturing talent, bringing the arts to the people, and promoting arts education in the community.
Finally, I would like to thank all the sponsors, donors and volunteers in Hong Kong and across Asia for their support of the orchestra. Your contributions have helped the orchestra go from strength to strength over the years.
Under the baton of Artistic Director Mr Pontzious, I'm sure members of this year's orchestra will enthrall audiences far and wide with their skills, enthusiasm, youthfulness and energy.
I wish the orchestra a very enjoyable 20th anniversary and a successful rehearsal camp and concert tour.
I also wish all our young musicians every success with their musical careers.
Thank you very much.
Ends/Monday, July 19, 2010
Issued at HKT 14:41
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