A new education and outreach initiative, titled "We Pick You Up!", has been announced by the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, and aims to enhance access to the joy of music for young audiences across the city.
The program addresses primary barriers that hinder young students from attending concerts — cost, distance, and context — by providing them with dedicated transportation and free concert tickets. Through this initiative, students aged 6 to 12, along with their families, can travel to the Hong Kong Cultural Centre by special "We Pick You Up!" buses to attend live performances by the orchestra. The program also offers an opportunity for students to step out of the classroom and explore Hong Kong's vibrant cultural landscape.
Kicking off on Saturday, the program attracted over 450 students and family members from Tai Po Baptist Public School and Tsuen Wan Government Primary School, who caught the designated HK Phil buses to attend two Cinematic Adventures: The Magic of Movie Music concerts from the Swire Community Concert series at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall.
The "We Pick You Up!" buses will continue their journey in April and May this year, bringing students and their families from their neighborhoods to the Hong Kong Cultural Centre for HK Phil concerts and taking them home afterward.
"The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra believes in the transformative power of music. The initiative opens the door to the concert hall for students who might not otherwise have the chance to experience a live orchestra. We hope to provide an unforgettable first concert experience that serves as the foundation for a lifelong relationship with music," said Bernhard Fleischer, chief executive of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra.
Wong Lai-may, principal of Tsuen Wan Government Primary School, said, "By encouraging parents and students to participate together, the program creates a shared experience of enjoying music, and enhances students' interest in classical music and live performances."
Carol Chan, vice-principal of Tai Po Baptist Public School, noted that, "With the new initiative, students have more opportunities to enjoy concerts. This is also a wonderful parent-child activity that allows students to connect with different communities."
