Review by William Chan
The Macau Youth Symphony Orchestra (MYSO) – a local organisation dedicated to training young musicians in classical music, and one I had the opportunity to participate in for seven years during my school days – on Sunday hosted its 25th “Progressing Towards the Future” Macao New Generation Musicians Concert 2026 at the Macau Cultural Centre (CCM). The concert featured nine local musicians, all still in their mid-teens.
Eight years ago, I was one of them, playing bassoon on the stage. Still remembering that thrilling moment, I felt a deep empathy for the young performers on stage – the successes, the mistakes, the knowledge that this opportunity might only come once in a lifetime: having an orchestra behind you as a soloist, facing hundreds of audience members. It is easily one of the most singular moments a person can experience.
No matter how advanced our technology becomes, no matter how much AI comes to dominate production, learning, and daily life, this kind of stage presence will never be replaced. On the contrary, it becomes rarer and more exciting precisely when so much of our lives grow virtual and unreal. To be “thrown” onto a stage before adulthood does wonders for a person. In the span of a ten-minute performance – which, at that age, feels like the biggest thing in the world – we experience triumph, regret, embarrassment, joy, and fulfilment. In that moment, we feel genuinely alive.
These experiences teach us how to enjoy and value life. Referencing my other review on this page – the disco – where I mentioned that I felt almost no embarrassment dancing with strangers, only the desire to enjoy it as much as possible. I attribute that to years of performance experience, learning how to shed embarrassment and nervousness in order to be oneself. That is no small feat, as many of my peers would agree.
Finally, I must thank the Macau Youth Symphony Orchestra for organising this event for so many consecutive years. Locals, regrettably, often take such events for granted, but those behind the scenes know the effort it takes to put all the pieces in place. It is a great privilege that, from a young age, we have organisations like MYSO doing wonders for us, and as we grow older, we have organisations like Comuna de Pedra ensuring that we are all included. We are truly fortunate to have such amazing associations in our community.
Young musicians pose after the concert at Macau Cultural Centre’s (CCM) Grand Auditorium on Sunday. – Photo: William Chan
