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Donna Page

Nelson Leong has been practising the trumpet for 14 years,  hoping one day to make it a career.

The 22-year-old  will take a step closer to that ideal when he sets off on an international tour with the Macau Youth Symphony Orchestra in August.

Leong will join more than 70 other members of the orchestra aged from 11 to 25.

The tour marks the 10th anniversary of the orchestra,  which will  perform in Guangzhou, Singapore and Australia.

Like his father, Leong  at first wanted to be a trombone player, but at eight his hands were too small so he opted for the trumpet.

He said for many in the orchestra the upcoming tour would be the first time they had been away from Macau for an extended  tour.

'We are all pretty excited and there's a lot of preparation to do,'' he said.

'I'm sure it will be a lot of fun and we will get to see some of the sights.''

Double bass player Andrew Lo said he had never really considered travelling to Australia.

The teenager has  been in the orchestra for two years and described the tour as a 'great opportunity''.

'I'm sure it will be a lot of fun and I'm looking forward to it,'' Lo said.

'It will be good to show what we can do.''

The orchestra will play seven concerts, including a pre-tour concert in the grand auditorium at the Macau Cultural Centre on August 4.

To limit expenses members will live with Australian families in their homes during the two-week stay.

President of the Macau Youth Symphony Orchestra Association Hoi Kin-wa said the Macau government had provided generous funding to support the tour. Mr Hoi said the youth orchestra will play music by composers from Macau, Portugal and Australia.

The group will be joined by Macau-born pianist David Tong who lives in Australia.

'This is a cultural exchange and a very important event in the history of the youth orchestra,'' Mr Hoi said.

'It is by far our most important tour and the first time we have taken the group out of the region.''

The orchestra's itinerary includes a visit to Sydney's Opera House, Singapore's Science Centre, a wildlife adventure and traditional Australian barbecue.



Tuning up for travelling