At a packed Civic Centre Theatre in Sai Wan Ho, the Clementi Secondary School Orchestra gave a spirited performance in the first concert in recent years outside the school.
The event marked a milestone in the school's musical history. Just four years ago, there were no classes for students wishing to learn an instrument.
After 12 months of hard work by the newly-formed orchestra, led by award-winning music teacher Gary Du Hey-choy, the results were impressive.
'It's like a dream come true,' said Mr Du. 'We started from scratch, and we have now managed to put on a major performance. It has been motivating for the musicians, and has shown how much they can achieve.'
Mr Du said a $382,800 Quality Education Fund grant enabled the school to pay for new instruments, individual music lessons and guest conductors.
The concert programme was colourful, ranging from Chinese folk songs and dances to Scott Joplin and Bizet.
The school band began with a lively version of Hooked on Classics, conducted by clarinettist So Ka-wai. The orchestra performed Tchaikovsky's spellbinding Nutcracker Suite under conductor Yu Gee-wai.