Former Hong Kong Sinfonietta maestro returns to city to lead Singapore's top music school in its first overseas performance

The orchestra of Singapore's top music school is set to play a celebratory high note marking the city-state's coming of age, said its current maestro, a former Hong Kong-based conductor.

Jason Lai, previously an associate conductor with the Hong Kong Sinfonietta and now principal conductor of Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, said his band's historic visit to Hong Kong happened at the best possible time.

"This is our first overseas tour and I am deeply proud to say we are ready for it," the Oxford-trained conductor said of the 80-member orchestra performing tonight at City Hall.

"The concert will show we are a confident country and are able to hold our own in terms of classical music and new music, and the talents we have, such as our composer Ho Chee Kong and pianist Li Churen, plus a good number of Singaporean players in the orchestra," he added.

"I think Singapore has come of age and through this concert I want to demonstrate that," he continued. The orchestra comprises musicians of 11 nationalities, including Hong Kong violinist Wong Yat-sze.

On the eve of the Hong Kong concert to highlight the 50th anniversary of Singapore's independence, Lai said the city-state is "trying to make its mark now by developing in cultural importance" similar to how it achieved stature in business and industry.