~~2003~~
2003 was an extremely difficult year for
the Asian Youth Orchestra.
With highly successful auditions complete
and results announced, and with plans set for the orchestra’s
Rehearsal Camp in Hong Kong and concerts in Hong Kong, Japan and
Europe, the uncertainty of the SARS epidemic, then spreading
throughout the region and beyond, left the Executive Committee
with no choice but to cancel the season.
Coming as it did at the end of the 7th
month of the orchestra’s fiscal year and just ahead of the time
when most sponsorship fees are received; the cancellation had a
devastating affect on the orchestra’s finances. The impact was
compounded by the fact that there would be no income from
concert performance or ticket sales.
The creation each year of an orchestra that
brings together musicians from 12 countries is a fragile
endeavor complicated by the challenges of funding in uncertain
economic environments. Listening to comments from the musicians
selected for the 2003 season, their parents and our sponsors,
there is no doubt that the decision to cancel the season was
correct and supported by all.
As one might imagine, the cancellation of
the season was extremely disappointing to those who had been
selected to play in the orchestra. To deal with this issue in
the most positive way, for all those invited for the 2003 season
were given the opportunity to participate in AYO 2004.
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