Asian Youth Orchestra throws dose of reality to solo music stardom
Many musicians dream of solo stardom, but a youth orchestra wants to show that there is strength in numbers
One year later, Harry is a winner of the under-18 category of the 2013 Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in Wales, one of the world's toughest competitions for soloists.
"I love playing solo," Harry says. "In an orchestra, you always need to listen to others and match their playing. But as a soloist, I own the stage."
Harry, who is still part of the Asian Youth Orchestra, is among a growing number of young musicians who have ambitions to become soloists - a trend that Richard Pontzious, the orchestra's artistic director and conductor, believes will deter talented players from joining youth orchestras.
In an orchestra, you always need to listen to others ... But as a soloist, I own the stage
Throughout its 23-year history, the orchestra has encountered problems with funding, sponsorship, performance venues and travelling. But it has never been threatened by a drop in intake, and he's worried that might happen. At present, it has more than 90 players coming from Hong Kong, the mainland, Japan, Singapore, Vietnam and the Philippines, among others.