The 2024 Annual Conference of League of China Orchestras and
the 10th China Orchestra Administration and Management Forum
were Successfully Held
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: 
Dennis Wu
Director of Marketing 
Tel: (852) 2721 9035
Email: dennis.wu@hkphil.org 

Emily Hui
Media Relations and Communications Manager
Tel: (852) 2721 1585
Email: emily.hui@hkphil.org

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[25 June 2024, Hong Kong] Hosted by the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HK Phil), the 2024 Annual Conference of League of China Orchestras and the 10th China Orchestra Administration and Management Forum (Forum) were successfully held  in Hong Kong from 24 to 25 June. Over 70 orchestra senior executives and classical music professionals from the Mainland attended, engaging in exchanges with representatives of Hong Kong’s arts and cultural organisations to foster the development of the industry.

The League of China Orchestras (League), an affiliate of the Chinese Musicians Association, organises the Annual Conference and the Forum in different cities across China each year. As this year marks the 50th anniversary of the HK Phil, this significant annual event in the classical music scene was organised in collaboration with the League in Hong Kong. The 2024 Forum focused on classical orchestra administration and management, featuring four main themes: the 50-year development of the HK Phil, cultural exchange and touring, commission work, and nurturing young artists.

Vennie Ho, Vice-chairman of the League and Consultant of the HK Phil’s 50th Anniversary, said: “The League has always played an instrumental role for the professional development of orchestras in China. The Forum serves as an important exchange platform for orchestra key leaders and industry practitioners, where participants join insightful discussions and connect to a national wide network. The HK Phil is honoured to participate in the League as one of the founding members, currently serving on the executive council. We are delighted to have the opportunity to organise the Forum this year.”

On 24 June, Tse Wing-yee, Winnie, Deputy Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism commenced the forum with a welcoming remark. In the first keynote speech, titled “HK Phil’s 50 Years Development”, Benedikt Fohr, Chief Executive of the HK Phil, discussed the opportunities and challenges faced by the orchestra following its transition from an amateur orchestra named Sino-British Orchestra to a professional one. Jaap van Zweden, Music Director of the HK Phil, shared how music unites the audiences. James Tong, Director, Group Public Affairs representing the Swire Group, the Principal Patron of the orchestra, elaborated on the significance and collaborative outcomes of principal patronage for the orchestra's development.

The panel talk, “From an Amateur Association to a Professional Orchestra – HK Phil’s Development” was moderated by Long Yu, Chairman of the League and Principal Guest Conductor of the HK Phil. Keynote speakers included Darwin Chen, former General Committee Member of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Society; Fan Ting, Board Member of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Society; Y. S. Liu,  Senior Advisor and former Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Society; and Benedikt Fohr, Chief Executive of the HK Phil.

The second part of the Forum focused on touring and cultural exchange. In the session “HK Phil’s Tours – Planning and Management”, Vanessa Chan, Director of Orchestral Operations of the HK Phil, shared her experience gained from the HK Phil’s Europe and Asia tours this season. In the following session “Cultural Exchange – Hong Kong Performing Arts Expo”, Kenneth Fok, Member of Legislative Council and Chairman of the Hong Kong Arts Development Council, discussed the strengths of Hong Kong as a platform for cultural exchange between China and the world. The second part concluded with the panel talk, “Cultural Exchange and Touring” led by Long Yu. Orchestra representatives with touring experience, including Nie Bing, Chairman of Artistic Committee of the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra, Tong Ming, President of the Ningbo Symphony Orchestra, and Vanessa Chan, Director of Orchestral Operations of the HK Phil, discussed the administrative preparations and challenges such as visa and tax issues for international tours.

The third part of the Forum, titled “Commission Work”, was moderated by Fedina Zhou, President of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra. On the panel, Chan Wing-wah, Chairman of the Composers and Authors Society of Hong Kong, composer Elliot Leung, Timothy Tsukamoto, Director of Artistic Planning of the HK Phil, and Betty Ho, Librarian of the HK Phil, discussed topics related to commissioning, such as  copyright and music score preparation.

The fourth part of the Forum took place on the following day (25 June). Doug He, Vice President of Artistic Planning & Education of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, moderated the panel talk “Young Artists Cultivation and Nurturing”, where Chen Qing, President of the Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra, Zhang Weiwei, Vice President and Concertmaster of the Changsha Symphony Orchestra, and Benedikt Fohr, Chief Executive of the HK Phil, shared their experience in organising education and outreach programmes, as well as building youth symphony orchestras.

At the Forum’s closing ceremony, the League presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to Vennie Ho in recognition of her contributions to the classical music industry. As the next edition of the Forum will be hosted by the Harbin Concert Hall (Harbin Symphony Orchestra), Vennie Ho, the current rotating Chairman, handed over the host plaque to Qi Xuguang, Secretary of the Party Committee, Harbin Concert Hall.

The League of China Orchestras

Established in 2019, the League of China Orchestras is a professional organisation under the Chinese Musicians Association, and currently has 62 member organisations. The predecessor of the League was the China Orchestra Administration and Management Forum founded in 2015. The Forum is held annually in various cities across China, seeking to create a platform for exploring the professionalisation, internationalisation, and future development of orchestras.

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Download Event Programme

Download Photos (Photo: Eric Hong/HK Phil)

1. Group photo of participants and keynote speakers

(From left) Benedikt Fohr, Chief Executive of the HK Phil; Peng Jie, Secretary General of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles’ Hong Kong Member Association; Jaap van Zweden, Music Director of the HK Phil; Tse Wing-yee, Winnie, Deputy Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism; Long Yu, Chairman of the League and Principal Guest Conductor of the HK Phil; Vennie Ho, Vice-chairman of the League and Consultant of the HK Phil’s 50th Anniversary; and James Tong,  Director, Group Public Affairs of John Swire & Sons (H.K.) Limited

2. Vennie Ho, Vice-chairman of the League and Consultant of the HK Phil’s 50th Anniversary

3. Tse Wing-yee, Winnie, Deputy Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism

4. Benedikt Fohr, Chief Executive of the HK Phil

5. Jaap van Zweden, Music Director of the HK Phil

6. James Tong, Director, Group Public Affairs of John Swire & Sons (H.K.) Limited

7. Panel Talk: “From an Amateur Association to a Professional Orchestra – HK Phil's Development”
(From left)

Moderator: Long Yu, Chairman of the League and Principal Guest Conductor of the HK Phil
Keynote speakers:  Darwin Chen, former General Committee Member of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Society; Fan Ting, Board Member of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Society; Benedikt Fohr, Chief Executive of the HK Phil; and Y. S. Liu, Senior Advisor and former Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Society

8. Keynote Speech: “HK Phil's Tours – Planning and Management”
Keynote speaker: Vanessa Chan, Director of Orchestral Operations of the HK Phil

9. Keynote Speech: “Cultural Exchange – Hong Kong Performing Arts Expo”
Keynote speaker: Kenneth Fok, Member of Legislative Council and Chairman of the Hong Kong Arts Development Council

10. Panel Talk: “Cultural Exchange and Touring”
(From left)

Moderator: Long Yu, Chairman of the League and Principal Guest Conductor of the HK Phil
Keynote speakers: Vanessa Chan, Director of Orchestral Operations of the HK Phil; Nie Bing, Chairman of Artistic Committee of the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra; and Tong Ming, President of the Ningbo Symphony Orchestra

11. Commission Work
(From left)

Moderator: Fedina Zhou, President of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra
Keynote speakers:  Chan Wing-wah, Chairman of the Composers and Authors Society of Hong Kong; Betty Ho, Librarian of the HK Phil; composer Elliot Leung; and Timothy Tsukamoto, Director of Artistic Planning of the HK Phil

12. Panel Talk: Young Artists Cultivation and Nurturing
(From left)

Moderator: Doug He, Vice President of Artistic Planning & Education of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra
Keynote speakers: Chen Qing, President of the Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra; Benedikt Fohr, Chief Executive of the HK Phil; and Zhang Weiwei, Vice President and Concertmaster of the Changsha Symphony Orchestra

13. Long Yu presents the Lifetime Achievement Award to Vennie Ho.

14. Vennie Ho, recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award (fourth from right); Long Yu (third from right); Lio Kuokman, Resident Conductor of the HK Phil (second from right); Benedikt Fohr, Chief Executive of the HK Phil (fourth from left); Timothy Tsukamoto, Director of Artistic Planning of the HK Phil (first from right); Dennis Wu, Director of Marketing of the HK Phil (third from left); Vanessa Chan, Director of Orchestral Operations of the HK Phil (second from left) and Kary Hon, Director of Development of the HK Phil (first from left)

15. Vennie Ho hands over the host plaque to Qi Xuguang, Secretary of the Party Committee, Harbin Music Hall, which will host the next edition of the Forum.

16. Group photo of participants