On November 3, 2024, the Hong Kong Adventist Academy (HKAA) Orchestra represented Hong Kong at the prestigious 26th International Junior Orchestra Festival in Omiya, Japan. Held at the RaiBoC Hall in Saitama, the event brought together youth orchestras from around the world, offering a platform for young musicians to showcase their talents and foster international collaboration.

The festival, organized by the Japan Junior Orchestra Association under the leadership of renowned conductor Shinichi Minami, featured orchestras from 12 countries, including Japan, Myanmar, the Philippines, Brazil, France, the United States, Malaysia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, China, and South Korea. The HKAA Orchestra’s participation marked the first time performing at the event, a significant milestone for the academy.

Reynaldo Seville Abellana, the conductor of the HKAA Orchestra, shared his excitement about the opportunity.

“Since 2016, I have been invited twice a year to participate in the festival, once in Japan and once outside of Japan. Last year, the Japan Junior Orchestra Association learned that I was teaching in Hong Kong, and they asked if an orchestra from HKAA would be ready to represent Hong Kong at the festival. It’s a great honor for us,” said Abellana, who has been part of the youth orchestra association representing the Philippines since 2016.

The orchestra, composed of talented young musicians from HKAA, a school run by the Seventh-day Adventist Church, worked tirelessly in preparation for the event. Abellana expressed his gratitude for the hard work and dedication of his students.

“Members worked hard by attending practices every day after class. Their dedication paid off, and the experience was incredibly rewarding. I hope this festival inspires our students to continue pursuing music and seize future opportunities like this one,” he said. He also extended his thanks to the support of the parents, as well as the administration, faculty, and staff of HKAA for their commitment.

The festival itself, which took place during a Japanese holiday weekend, was a celebration of musical achievement and cultural exchange. It provided a rare opportunity for young musicians to perform alongside peers from different parts of the world, strengthening international ties through music.

Minami, the music director of the Japan Boys and Girls Orchestra and a key figure behind the festival, has had a profound impact on youth orchestras globally. Minami, who began his music education under the influence of his mother, has worked with renowned conductors and established more than 30 youth orchestras in Japan and abroad. His “Minami Orchestra Method” is widely adopted across Asia, and his efforts have supported the creation of orchestras in regions such as Cambodia, Laos, and Bangladesh. Minami’s influence on the global music community is evident in his long-standing commitment to nurturing young talent and fostering cross-cultural exchange.

As the HKAA Orchestra’s participation in the International Junior Orchestra Festival highlights, the impact of such international festivals is profound, school leaders emphasized. “They not only provide a platform for young musicians to showcase their talent but also promote the values of cultural exchange and collaboration, fostering a future where young musicians from diverse backgrounds can unite through the universal language of music,” they said.

The original article was published on the Adventist Review website.