Go to main content
 
Asian Youth Orchestra launches 2017 North American and European tour in San Jose (with photos)
******************************************************************************************
     The Asian Youth Orchestra (AYO) launched its 2017 North American and European tour in San Jose, California, today (August 4, San Jose time). The world tour began in Hong Kong and continued to Beijing and Tokyo before crossing the Pacific to California for shows in San Jose and Berkeley. The orchestra will then perform in the East Coast of the United States and later cross the Atlantic for a further 11 concerts in Europe.

     The AYO's 2017 world tour, which includes a total of 22 concerts in 20 cities across three continents, is an international musical celebration of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

     The AYO's 109 members are among the finest young musicians in Asia. Selected through highly competitive auditions held every year throughout the region, they gather together for six weeks in the summer, initially for a three-week Rehearsal Camp in Hong Kong and then for a three-week international concert tour with celebrated conductors and solo artists.

     At the pre-concert reception hosted by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, San Francisco, at the Hammer Theatre Center in San Jose, the Office's Director, Mr Ivanhoe Chang, gave a warm welcome to the musicians.

     "Hong Kong, a place where East meets West, has a wide and enticing range of cultural and artistic offerings. Musicians, artists, galleries, cultural institutes and commentators from around the globe can be found in Asia's world city, helping to instil innovation, vitality and dynamism into society. We thank the AYO for choosing Hong Kong as its base and bringing a group of talented musicians to the city every year for training and rehearsal," he said.

     In concert, works by Strauss and Beethoven were performed by the young musicians and conducted by the Founder and Artistic Director of the AYO, Mr Richard Pontzious.

     Mr Pontzious is no stranger to the San Francisco Bay Area, including San Jose, home of his alma mater San Jose State University (SJSU). To mark the occasion, the College of International and Extended Studies at SJSU presented the Distinguished Alumnus Award to Mr Pontzious at the reception. The award recognises his work with the AYO to bring about unity through music and celebrate the young talent across the Asian region.

     "It is my pleasure to recognise one of our own graduates who extended SJSU's impact globally. The Asian Youth Orchestra, founded in 1990, is known as one of the finest youth orchestras," the Dean of the College of International and Extended Studies, Dr Ruth Huard, said. "The young musicians at the AYO, chosen each year in highly competitive auditions, receive a once-in-a-lifetime experience during their summer. Your extraordinary work in music training, character building and life changing reflects the best of SJSU."

     The AYO will give a performance in Berkeley on August 5.
 
Ends/Saturday, August 5, 2017
Issued at HKT 12:45
NNNN
Archives   Yesterday's Press Releases   Back to Index Page Back to top
Today's Press Releases  

Photo

The Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, San Francisco (HKETO), Mr Ivanhoe Chang (second left); the Founder and Artistic Director of the Asian Youth Orchestra (AYO), Mr Richard Pontzious (third right); the Chairman of the AYO, Mr Jim Thompson (second right); the director of the documentary, "In Search of Perfect Consonance", Ms Ruby Yang (first left); the President of San Jose State University, Dr Mary Papazian (third left), and the General Manager of AYO, Keith Lau (first right), at a reception hosted by the HKETO at the Hammer Theatre Center in San Jose, California, tonight (August 4, San Jose time). "In Search of Perfect Consonance" was screened before the concert tonight.
The Asian Youth Orchestra (AYO) performs at the Hammer Theatre Center in San Jose, California, tonight (August 4, San Jose time). The performance launched the AYO's 2017 North American and European Tour.
The President of San Jose State University, Dr Mary Papazian (left) presents the Distinguished Alumnus Award to the Founder and Artistic Director of the Asian Youth Orchestra, Mr Richard Pontzious, at a reception in San Jose tonight (August 4, San Jose time) hosted by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, San Francisco.
On behalf of the Mayor of the City of San Jose, Mr Sam Liccardo, and the City Council, the International Program Manager of the City of San Jose, Mr Joseph Hedges, presents a Commendation to the Asian Youth Orchestra at a reception in San Jose tonight (August 4, San Jose time) hosted by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, San Francisco. Pictured here are Mr Joseph Hedges (left) and Mr Richard Pontzious.
The Chairman of the Asian Youth Orchestra, Mr Jim Thompson, speaks at the reception hosted by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, San Francisco tonight (August 4, San Jose time).