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, 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 (left); the President of San Jose State University, Dr Mary Papazian (third left) and Keith Lau, General Manager, AYO （right) at a reception hosted by the HKETO at the Hammer Theatre Center in San Jose, California. "In Search of Perfect Consonance" was screened before the concert on August 4.
|
Asian Youth Orchestra (AYO) kicked off their 2017 North American and European Tour on August 4, 2017 in San Jose, California. Their world tour, in fact began in Hong Kong, then to Beijing and Tokyo before crossing the Pacific to San Jose and Berkeley in California. They then performed in the East Coast in the United States and across the Atlantic Ocean for another eleven concerts in Europe.
The AYO’s 2017 world tour, which included a total of 22 concerts in 20 cities across three continents, was an international musical celebration of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
The 109 members are among the finest young musicians in Asia. Selected through highly competitive auditions held every year throughout the region, they gathered together for six weeks in the summer, initially for a three-week Rehearsal Camp in Hong Kong, 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 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, curators and commentators from around the globe can be found in this Asia’s world city, helping to instill innovation, vitality and dynamism into society. We thank 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.
At the Hammer Theatre, works by Strauss and Beethoven were performed by the young musicians and conducted by Richard Pontzious, Founder and Artistic Director of AYO.
Richard Pontzious is no stranger to the Bay Area or San Jose, home of San Jose State University (SJSU), his alma mater. To mark the occasion, the College of International and Extended Studies at SJSU presented the Distinguished Alumnus Award to Pontzious at the reception. It recognizes his work with Asian Youth Orchestra to bring unity through music and celebrate the young talent across the Asian region.
“It is my pleasure to recognize 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 orchestra,” said Dr. Ruth Huard, Dean of the College of International & Extended Studies. “The young musicians at 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.”
AYO had another performance in Berkeley on August 5.
The Asian Youth Orchestra (AYO) performs at the Hammer Theatre Center in San Jose, California on August 4. 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 (right) at a reception in San Jose 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 AYO. Pictured here are Mr Joseph Hedges (left) and Mr Richard Pontzious (right).
|
|
The Chairman of the AYO, Mr Jim Thompson speaks at the reception hosted by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, San Francisco.
|
|
