by: Mr. Linwell H. Lalic, High School Symphonic Band Teacher
To start my Asian Youth Orchestra (AYO) journey, let us go back to the time before I even entered De La Salle Santiago Zobel School (DLSZ). As I remember, it began in March 2010 when I passed the audition for the AYO. My heart was trembling with nervousness and excitement when I saw my name on the list of passers.
The Asian Youth Orchestra is a youth orchestra composed of musicians from several Asian countries. It was founded by Yehudi Menuhin and Richard Pontzious in 1987, and its first concert took place in August 1990, conducted by Menuhin. Every year, they hold auditions for young musicians aged 17–28 who are chosen through strict auditions held throughout the region. Once selected, you will spend six (6) weeks together in the summer of July-August. First, you participate in a three-week rehearsal camp in Hong Kong, and then you will travel overseas for another three (3) weeks on a tour with world-renowned conductors and soloists. During your stay with the AYO, they will also provide you with accommodations, airfare, meals, and mentoring with top musicians during the three-week camp. My mentor there was Jacek Muzyk, the principal horn player of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra in New York, USA.
Moving on to this year’s event, the AYO is celebrating its 35th founding anniversary. They invited past AYO participants from three (3) decades, from 1990 to 2024. We had sectionals, tutti rehearsals, and full orchestra rehearsals with our esteemed conductors, Maestro Joseph Bastian and Maestro Jader Bignamini.
A Return to Hong Kong
I arrived in Hong Kong on August 24 and immediately felt a wave of nostalgia during my days as an AYO participant. I transferred from the airport to our hotel and met my older brother, who has worked in Hong Kong for 12 years. We spent time bonding at Hong Kong Disneyland, as I knew I would be busy with rehearsals for the next few days. After that, I went back to the hotel to rest and call it a day.
On the second day, I started my morning by familiarizing myself with Hong Kong’s transportation system. It was great that their transportation is so efficient and reliable, making it easy for me to move from one place to another. My task for the day was to attend the brass sectional at Ko Shan Theatre, followed by a woodwind and brass sectional in the afternoon. During the sectional, I learned how to blend more effectively within my section. We also tackled the importance of synchronized phrasing and articulations. After the sectional, I went with my fellow Filipinos to the Tom Lee Music Store in Tsim Sha Tsui, which I happily agreed to. This is the largest music store in Hong Kong. They sell almost all the latest and professional models of instruments, so it’s a must-go place in Hong Kong for a musician like me.
On the third day, I returned to the Ko Shan Theatre for our final woodwind and brass sectional in the morning. In the afternoon, we had our first tutti rehearsal at the Hong Kong Cultural Center. While in transit, I was fortunate to accidentally meet some orchestra members from the Hong Kong Philharmonic. Moving on to the rehearsal, I learned to be more in tune and aware of dynamics. On the fourth day, I went to our performance venue, the Hong Kong City Hall Concert Hall. The concert hall was constructed in 1960 and opened in 1962 during the British reign on the island. Our rehearsal was led by the AYO’s principal conductor, Maestro Joseph Bastian, and conductor Maestro Jader Bignamini. The conductors were energetic and full of enthusiasm. They gave clear instructions on the music, and both showed clear baton technique. Their interpretations of the music were flawless and efficient. You could see and hear the whole orchestra—with different nationalities, ages, and personalities—uniting and moving to the wave of the baton and music. Before the rehearsal ended, AYO’s CEO, Keith Lau, went to the podium and thanked everyone present at the event. He also mentioned that the late founder of the AYO, Richard Pontzious, was watching, applauding, and was very happy to see us back where we started.
On the fifth day, the concert day, the concert was a success, with the excellent conducting of our maestros and a superb performance by the orchestra. Everybody was amazed and joyful. But one moment was the most memorable that night: when the orchestra played the piece “Nimrod” by Edward Elgar, which is performed at the beginning and end of every AYO camp. That night, the orchestra played it with no conductor. It was as if the late founder, Richard Pontzious, was the one conducting the whole orchestra, uniting us in one music. After the performance of the piece, everyone was happy, and for the last time, we bowed together on the stage. The audience was applauding endlessly.On the sixth day, my departure day to Manila, when I recall my AYO journey, I can say that every experience was worth it, and I would like my students to experience that journey with their soon-to-be peers and new friends in AYO.