How it all began ......

The idea for creating an Asian Youth Orchestra was inspired by my work over many years in Taiwan, Japan and China, where I conducted numerous bands, orchestras and choirs, toured extensively, helped initiate revival of the Harbin Summer Arts Festival, led local premieres of Beethoven symphonies, and headed a campaign in the late 1980s for restoration of materials lost in a fire that destroyed the Shanghai Conservatory of Music Library.

Wherever I traveled and worked, students asked me how they might go abroad to study. An innocent question, the tragic consequence of which is that so many who leave Asia never return to share their gifts with succeeding generations. Creating an orchestra that would unite the region, celebrate the excellence of the young people here and encourage them to build on what they have at home, was my objective when I wrote the first draft of a plan for founding the Asian Youth Orchestra.

I took the idea initially to Eugene Graves, who was my high school music teacher and continues as my mentor even today. Gene, his wife Marylin and I met in San Francisco to go over the draft plan, sitting down over pizza, incongruously, at a Chinese Restaurant.

The next person with whom I shared the idea was Yehudi Menuhin. In very quick succession we met in Reno, Nevada, San Francisco, and then at his home in Chester Square, London. He was thrilled with the possibilities of bringing together young musicians from throughout Asia. Without hesitation, he signed on as music director.

It continues to amaze me that this extraordinary musician and humanitarian, someone who lived up there with the gods, would trust so much in what the Asian Youth Orchestra might become. He seemed to sense its potential from the outset. His sparkling, clear blue eyes came alive whenever we talked about it.

While Yehudi provided the musical inspiration that drew public and media interest in our tiny project, two San Francisco physicians, brothers, Drs. Ben and A. Jess Shenson, were working behind the scenes to help me turn dream into reality. They had traveled to Asia since the 1930s, and amongst their many friends here was the irrepressible Sing Tao chairman, Sally Aw Sian. Ben and Jess arranged for me to meet Sally. Their friendship gave her confidence in the concept of an Asian Youth Orchestra. When few would listen, she generously supported us with a gift in excess of HK$5 million.

Ben and Jess traveled with AYO, caring for many sick students. They, with Sally Aw, Yehudi Menuhin and Eugene Graves, are the true godparents of the Asian Youth Orchestra.

Richard Pontzious
Founder & Artistic Director