'Our story is one of mastering logistics, conquering problems, of making it all happen,' says Richard Pontzious with obvious relish. 'We check into the office asking 'Any drama?' '
If it's summer it must be time again for his Asian Youth Orchestra (AYO) to start its six-week summer training camp before touring Asia. Inevitably, says Pontzious, AYO artistic and executive director, there will be problems. There's the harp that got left behind in customs, for instance, because it was too big to go through an X-ray machine going into Vietnam. Customs officers decided processing it the next day would be fine - although that was the day after the concert for which it was needed.
Vietnam still presents the greatest difficulties. 'The Vietnamese still had not got their visas to get out of the country and they were leaving in two days time. It's always last minute,' says Pontzious.
'Our reputation has helped us though. It is easier for us to cross borders, for instance, and to find solutions. Many of the problems are still the same as they were years ago but now we know where solutions are.'
Difficulties are also a consequence of trying to haul 104 of Asia's finest young musicians from 11 countries to 12 concerts in eight Asia-Pacific cities over just three weeks. This year, top of the stop-overs is Sydney, following a coveted invitation to appear at the Sydney Olympics Arts Festival.
Pontzious sounds as excited as one of his charges. 'Can you imagine being from Chengdu and suddenly finding yourself on the steps of Sydney Opera House, with a massive advert hanging up there all about you. What a thrill!'