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GBAYO's largest-ever season brings more than 100 young musicians together for a three-city concert tour under Guest Conductor Ken Lam
To celebrate the National Day, the Greater Bay Area Youth Orchestra (GBAYO), presented by The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA) and supported by the Swire Group as Founding Patron, returned for its fourth season with a three-city concert tour across Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Guangzhou from 9 to 11 October 2026. Led by new Guest Conductor Ken Lam, GBAYO's largest-ever season brought together 103 exceptional young musicians from across the Greater Bay Area (GBA), reflecting the spirit of connection and cultural exchange that lies at the heart of the region.
The concert tour was also supported by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau of the HKSAR Government, the Culture, Media, Tourism and Sports Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality and the Xinghai Conservatory of Music.
Empowering the next generation of musical talent through GBAYO's largest-ever season
Building on its mission to cultivate musical excellence and strengthen cultural exchange across the Greater Bay Area, the GBAYO programme continues to provide a transformative platform for emerging young musicians. Ahead of the concert tour, 103 young musicians gathered at HKAPA in Hong Kong from 2 to 9 October 2026 for an intensive orchestral training camp. Under the mentorship of 13 internationally renowned musicians from leading conservatories and professional orchestras, participants refined their technical abilities, expanded their artistic perspectives, and deepened their readiness for professional performance.
With the 2026 concert tour, GBAYO will have provided more than 400 training and performance opportunities for young musicians, engaged more than 8,000 concertgoers, and presented a total of 14 concerts across the Greater Bay Area, underscoring its growing contribution to the region's cultural landscape. Extending its impact beyond the stage, the programme continues to support participants' artistic and professional development, helping young musicians broaden their horizons and pursue future opportunities both within the region and internationally.
HKAPA and Swire's Shared Commitment to Youth Music Development
Since its launch in 2022, GBAYO has benefited from the support of the Swire Group as Founding Patron, enabling the programme to provide valuable training and performance opportunities for young musicians across the Greater Bay Area.
Arnold Cheng, Director - Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area of John Swire & Sons, said, "Swire has a longstanding commitment to supporting vibrant and thriving communities. As Founding Patron of GBAYO and a company deeply connected to the Greater Bay Area, we are delighted to see how the programme has grown over the past seasons and contributed to cultural exchange across the region. By bringing together talented young musicians from different cities and backgrounds, GBAYO provides a unique platform for artistic development, collaboration and mutual understanding. Its success reflects the power of the arts to connect people and enrich communities, and we are proud to have been part of that journey."
HKAPA stated that, as the highest-ranked performing arts institution in Asia, the Academy is dedicated to advancing artistic excellence and cultivating future generations of performing artists. Through a unique combination of mentorship, intensive training and performance opportunities, GBAYO enables young musicians to develop their artistic capabilities and broaden their horizons in a professional and collaborative environment. It is delighted to continue this journey with the support of the Swire Group, and also thanks the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau of the HKSAR Government, the Culture, Media, Tourism and Sports Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality, and the Xinghai Conservatory of Music for their important role in bringing this season to life. The Academy looks forward to continuing to inspire and empower the next generation of musicians through transformative learning and performance opportunities.
An internationally acclaimed conductor bridging global excellence and regional talent
This season, GBAYO is proud to welcome internationally renowned conductor Ken Lam as Guest Conductor. Mr Lam currently serves as Director of Orchestral Studies and Resident Conductor of the Tianjin Juilliard Orchestra at The Tianjin Juilliard School. He is also Resident Conductor of the Brevard Music Center in North Carolina and Artistic Director of Hong Kong Voices. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with leading orchestras and opera companies across North America, Europe and Asia, while remaining deeply committed to the education and development of young musicians.
Mr Lam's appointment marks an exciting milestone for GBAYO as the programme continues to strengthen its position as a platform connecting emerging talent from the Greater Bay Area with world-class artistic mentorship and international perspectives. Drawing on his extensive experience as both conductor and educator, Mr Lam will guide participants through a rigorous artistic journey that combines musical excellence, collaboration and cultural exchange.
Under Mr Lam's direction, this year's programme presents a rich and dynamic repertoire that reflects both the diversity and global outlook of the orchestra. Audiences across the Greater Bay Area will enjoy performances of Berlioz's Roman Carnival Overture, selections from Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet Suite Nos. 1-3, Chen Yi's Duo Ye No. 2, and Stravinsky's Firebird Suite (1919 edition), showcasing a programme that bridges Eastern and Western musical traditions while celebrating the artistry of a new generation of musicians.
Mr Lam said, "GBAYO is an amazing opportunity for young musicians in the area to connect, collaborate, and perform together. As someone who grew up in Hong Kong, I am particularly excited to return and work with these talented students as well as their amazing coaches!"
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About The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts
The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA), established by The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts Ordinance in 1984, is a world-leading higher education institution for the performing arts. It provides professionally-oriented undergraduate education and postgraduate studies in Chinese Opera, Dance, Drama, Film and Television, Music, and Theatre and Entertainment Arts. Its educational philosophy reflects the cultural diversity of Hong Kong with an emphasis on Chinese and Western traditions, and interdisciplinary learning. In the 2026 QS World University Rankings, the Academy ranks 10th for Performing Arts and 1st in Asia.
The Academy has been granted Programme Area Accreditation status by the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications to award its own Certificates, Diplomas, Bachelor's (Honours) Degrees and Master's Degrees. In the past four decades, more than 10,000 artists have graduated from the Academy, going on to become performing artists, creative arts practitioners, filmmakers, educators, and cultural leaders with global impact - many have won international awards and shone in their respective artistic fields.
Besides the main campus in Wanchai, Béthanie, the Academy's landmark heritage campus in Pokfulam, houses educational facilities for the School of Film and Television.
About the Swire Group
The Swire Group is a highly diversified global corporation, with businesses encompassing property, beverages and food chain, aviation, marine, as well as trading and industrial activities. Its core businesses are mainly focused on Asia, with its key operations in Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland. Within Asia, Swire's activities primarily come under the Group's publicly quoted arm, Swire Pacific Limited (HKSE: 00019/00087), which is the largest shareholder in two Hong Kong listed companies: Swire Properties and Cathay Pacific Airways.
Photo captions
Distinguished guests attend the opening concert of the Greater Bay Area Youth Orchestra 2026. (From left) Prof Iñaki SANDOVAL, Dean of the School of Music and Project Lead, Mr Patrick LEE, Deputy Director (Administration), Mr Ken LAM, Conductor of GBAYO 2026, Mr David COGMAN, Director of John Swire & Sons (H.K.) Limited, Mr Symon WONG, Chairman of the Academy Council, Mr Raistlin LAU, Under Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Augustus TANG, Director of John Swire & Sons (H.K.) Limited, Mr Arnold CHENG, Director - Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area of John Swire & Sons, Dr. Gordon MUNRO, Deputy Director (Academic) and Prof. YIU Song Lam, Associate Dean of the School of Music and Artistic Coordinator.
The Greater Bay Area Youth Orchestra's largest-ever season brings together 103 young musicians from across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area for a three-city concert tour in Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Guangzhou.
Internationally renowned conductor Ken Lam leads the Greater Bay Area Youth Orchestra as Guest Conductor.
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