"Passionate and vibrant, a very refined youth orchestra"
Lu Siqing, first Asian winner of the Paganini violin competition
Founded in 2003, Metropolitan Youth Orchestra of Hong Kong (MYO) is a registered charity and one of the finest and innovative music training organizations for young musicians in Asia. MYO holds a significant and unique position in Hong Kong's musical scene, bringing together exceptional artists, experienced coaches, and passionate young musicians from every corner of the region. Our training programs are designed to foster the musical growth of talented instrumentalists, from beginners to those preparing for a professional music career. Through our diverse offerings, MYO provides young musicians with a solid foundation in both classical and contemporary music, helping them excel in their artistic journey.
MYO comprises six orchestras, providing rigorous training and extensive performance opportunities to over 500 young musicians from more than 120 music institutions, including music colleges, universities, secondary and primary schools, as well as kindergartens. Led by Artistic Director and Chief Conductor Synthia Ko, with Chris Cheung guiding the Repertory Orchestra, Jacky Leung at the helm of Orchestra-Lite and Metropolitan Pop & Jazz, and Alan Wong directing the Beginner Program, our members participate in weekly rehearsals that enhance their musical repertoire across various genres and periods, nurturing a lifelong passion and enjoyment of music.
With a strong emphasis on performance, MYO frequently collaborates with some of the world's finest musicians to bring outstanding musical performances to local and international stages. In addition to regular local concerts, community performances and flash mobs, MYO has showcased its talent in prestigious venues worldwide, including the Musikverein, Langenwang Art Haus, and Brahms Museum in Austria, Yamaha at Nemunosato in Japan, and major venues in China like the Shanghai Concert Hall, National Centre for the Performing Arts, Xinghai Music Conservatory, and Grande Auditorio do Centro Cultural de Macau.
MILESTONES
2024
Held a series of flash mob performances across major shopping malls and financial institutions event in Hong Kong.
2023
Performed flash mobs at the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong International Airport and the International Financial Leaders Investment Summit.
2017
Performed in London to promote Hong Kong, invited by the Hong Kong Tourism Board and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council.
2016
Hong Kong International Airport flash mob went viral, reaching over 5 millions online.
2015
Invited by the Hong Kong Tourism Board to perform at the Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival.
2014
MYO has brought orchestral music into the local community through a series of flash mob performances since 2014. These events have been praised for their high standards and originality, receiving notable media coverage. Each flash mob features melodies that resonate with the collective memories of the general public. These flash mob videos have gone viral, reaching over 10 million viewers worldwide.
2012
Gave a highly received performance in Musikverein, Vienna, where the audience was particularly impressed by the two east-meets-west repertoires.
2011
Participated in a unique music learning experience at Brahms Easter School of Music, Mürzzuschlag, Austria.
2010
Visited Kagoshima, Japan, and performed with MBC Youth Orchestra. Maestro Shinya Ozaki praised MYO for their "energetic and passionate performance."
Invited to perform at the Beijing National Centre for the Performing Arts and Tianjin Concert Hall, setting a new milestone for the orchestra. MYO also had the honor of performing with well-known choral conductor Professor Yang Hong Nian and the Children and Young Women Chorus of the China National Symphony Orchestra.
2009
Invited by Johannes Brahms Music School in Austria, under the patronage of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and Maestro Nikolaus Harnoncourt, to première in the prestigious Haydn Hall in Esterházy Palace.
Shared the stage with renowned violin virtuoso Lu Siqing, the first Asian winner of the Paganini Violin Competition, in the Butterfly Lovers violin concerto. The same night, MYO played the Yellow River piano concerto with Korean pianist Michelle Kim, earning high praise for being "compatible with professional orchestras."
2008
Invited to perform in the finale concert of the Aberdeen International Youth Festival and the opening performance of the British Youth Orchestra Festival, the only youth orchestra in Asia to be invited to both festivals.
2007
Performed with the Magic Circle Mime from the US at the Shanghai International Children's Theatre Festival, held at the Shanghai Concert Hall, and received the "Excellent Production Award."
2005
Performed with world-renowned cellist Wang Jian in a charity concert. Wang Jian remarked, "I am deeply impressed by the performance of MYO through this collaboration. These young musicians are the new blood of Hong Kong's classical music scene."
2003
Since 2003, MYO has collaborated with renowned Hong Kong pianists Nancy Loo, Colleen Lee, Les Six, New Art Strings Quartet, Russian pianist Maria Raszwetaeva, conductor Ernest Smole, Robert Rieder, Mak Ka Lok, Choi Ho Man, Jerome Hoberman, and Yang Li, among others, to present a variety of concerts.