(25 Jul, 2018) This year Musicus Society and Kuhmo Chamber Music Festival collaborate for the first time to provide local young talents with the exceptional opportunity to take part at the renowned Kuhmo Music Courses, held every July in Finland.
The six young musicians who have just returned from the program include Musicus Fest young artists Hannah Tam (violin) and David Ma (flute); Musicus scholarship recipient Yim Ho-yan (bassoon); as well as Cheng Chin-hei (violin), Yeung Hon-kwan (violin) and Lam Tsz-him (cello), who are alumni of the Musicus Inspires! Ensemble Training program.
The Kuhmo Music Courses has maintained its position as one of the oldest and most prominent international summer music programs in Europe since its inauguration in 1970. It is organized in conjunction with the Kuhmo Chamber Music Festival, which has recently been decorated with the prestigious Cremona Music Award - a first for the Festival and for a Nordic country. In addition to having the opportunity to study with renowned artist-faculty members, admitted students can attend the over 100 concerts festival concerts and observe workshops and master classes given by leading artists free of charge. The program covers a wide-range of Western classical music instruments and chamber music, and is catered for students on the threshold of a music career or for the young and gifted players.
“Thanks to Musicus Society, I was able to take part in the master classes and private lessons of the world-renowned violinist, Hagai Shaham. It was truly inspiring to learn from Mr. Shaham and to see him live in performance. It has been a very fruitful summer for me,” remarked 13-year-old Hannah Tam, who will pursue violin studies at the prestigious Curtis Institute this fall.
Yim Ho-yan, who has recently completed her Bachelor’s degree in bassoon at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts said, “I am truly grateful for such a wonderful learning opportunity. Not only did I get to study with orchestral bassoonist Jakko Luoma, I also get to meet other young music students from Europe and share our stories on learning music. It was a real blessing to learn in the beautiful surroundings of Kuhmo.”
For cellist Lam Tsz-him, the summer program is a game-changer. “I was very fortunate to be chosen to take part in the chamber music workshop in addition to the week-long private lessons with celebrated cellist, Edward Arron. The teachers and colleagues at Kuhmo had been such an inspiration for me. I am convinced to further my studies in music.”
Artistic Director Trey Lee, who is a frequent guest at the Kuhmo Chamber Music Festival, added that “Kuhmo is truly breathtaking – an intimate place where nature and music coalesce, inspiring like-minded individuals to learn and create together – whether in the classroom with artist teachers, playing in a chamber group with your peers, or simply observing top artists up close in concert. The idea of putting students in touch with overseas artists and allowing them to be inspired by such exposure is the very essence of Musicus Society’s mission of promoting cross-cultural collaborations.”
Apart from the six music students, Musicus artist and violist Born Lau has also been invited to perform and teach at the Kuhmo Chamber Music festival again. Born Lau’s appearance in Finland is supported by the Arts Capacity Development Funding Scheme of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.