April 2010

Dear AYO Alumni --

Greetings!

We have finished the 2010 auditions. This year, close to 1,000 candidates competed for 108 positions in AYO. We are glad to see that the standard of the musicians in many countries is rising. One thing we are also pleased to see is that AYO is attracting many young professionals. We have to be proud of these musicians as they want the AYO experience so that they can improve themselves to get to a higher level.

As usual, this is the busy time for all of us at AYO to finalize all the Rehearsal Camp and Tour plans. This year, the AYO's 20th anniversary season, there will be a lot of things happening. One of the events is the Alumni Orchestra concert. Thank you all for signing up to participate in the Alumni Orchestra. At this stage, we can give you a rough schedule:

Schedule --
08 Aug: Alumni arrive Hong Kong
09 Aug: Rehearsal
10 Aug: Rehearsal
11 Aug: Rehearsal and AYO Concert at HK Cultural Centre (Strauss Don Quixote, Alban Gerhardt cello, Don Juan and Rosenkavalier Suite, Maestro Pontzious conducting)
12 Aug: Rehearsal and AYO Concert at HK Cultural Centre (Schumann Cello Concert, Alban Gerhardt soloist, Mahler 5, Maestro James Judd conducting)
13 Aug: AYO Alumni Orchestra concert
14 Aug: Alumni return home

Some of you have asked about the rehearsal schedules. The plan at this moment is three sessions a day, from 9:30am to 6pm. However, it will depends on how prepared you all are when you come to Hong Kong. The schedule will be amended accordingly.

As for hotel arrangements, we will use the Harbourview in Wanchai for both AYO members and alumni. This is the same hotel we have been using for the orchestra members during the Rehearsal Camp. The hotel website is www.theharbourview.com.hk. Some of you are going to bring families and asked what is the cost. Please contact AYO for details.

For the airfare, we should have some news for you very soon. Cathay Pacific has already developed some special airfares for alumni coming to HK. I will update you as soon as I hear from Cathay.

So far 200 alumni have signed up for the Alumni Orchestra. We are still open to accept registration. Around mid May, we will send you a notice to finalize your participation.

Meanwhile, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact us. We look forward to welcoming you back to AYO this summer.

Sincerely, 

AYO Alumni Association