“It’s not only about music, but about encouraging a vibrant, caring and loving culture through the flow of music in the community. By influencing young musicians’ lives, we want to light up the lives of others too.”

Yao Jue, director of the orchestra she founded in 2013, said the project offered the deprived access to music-making and a chance to shine.

“I hope to turn the project into Hong Kong’s El Sistema for underprivileged pupils, allowing them an equal opportunity to learn and enjoy the music experience,” said the Shanghai-born violinist, a resident in Hong Kong since 1997.

“I always believe in the power of music to heal and inspire. It’s a universal language that brings people together, listeners and performers alike.”

The project, which consists of three components, will begin next month with the training phase for 240 young students.

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“In ‘The Light of Hope’, we will audition the shortlisted underprivileged pupils, mostly from primary schools, and those selected will get a free violin and training by members of the Hong Kong String Orchestra,” said Yao.

“The exceptional pupils will get more intensive training in the second year and we will take them to perform on stage at ‘Share the Joy’ community concerts.

“In ‘All About Love’, the third component, we’ll present a concert series for the elderly and children, a format that has been proved successful,” she said, referring to last year’s Mother’s Day concert, which treated 1,300 single parents and their children and drew the attention of the Jockey Club.

The organisers expect 40,000 people to attend the 40 open-air concerts planned in all 18 districts and performed by both mentors and pupils. Yao believed the training-performing design could have life-long significance.

“Music is a creative process that requires devotion. Once a pupil starts to create, he’s taken to a different level in confidence and self-identity. When performed with a team, his communication skills will improve,” she said.

Many youngsters nowadays were unhappy because they had no one to talk to, she said. “But with the violin in their hands, they can talk to the instrument and through the music. Someone from this programme may shine. You just never know.

“Given their background, they would tell a very special story and become a role model for people to look up to.”

The project will conclude with a grand finale concert at the Happy Valley racecourse, and Yao hoped a new orchestra would emerge from there.

“We will get all the recipients to perform together along with other Jockey Club grantees. That could be a Guinness World Record.”