Band Members Travel to Hong Kong for ACSC Honor Band Festival
Band is a unique class because students choose to be there. Perhaps some students may join out of obligation for an arts credit, but those who stay do so because music has significantly enriched their lives in various ways.
The last ACSC (Asia Christian Schools Conference) Band Festival YISS attended was in 2019. The conference was comprised of eight schools: ICS Hong Kong, ICS Bangkok, Faith, Grace, Dalat, Morrison, SPH, and YISS. When some of my peers and I heard that we would be attending the festival from March 6 to 10, a yearning we never knew existed revealed itself. We eagerly anticipated our trip: what pieces would we perform together? What sights awaited us? And, of course, what culinary delights would we savor?
While those were all significant questions, the ACSC trip proved to be about much more than rehearsals and sightseeing. During our trip, representatives from the organization Youth With A Mission taught honor band members about the lives of cardboard collectors in Hong Kong, who are often unnoticed and undervalued. Following the orientation, students were divided into service groups and traversed the streets in search of cardboard collectors. Our goal was to offer a care package containing gloves, alcohol wipes, bandaids, food vouchers, muscle cream, and other essentials to demonstrate care and kindness to those in need. It was rewarding to witness how such a small gesture could profoundly impact an individual's day.
From the moment we stepped into the band room for rehearsal to when we got on the plane home, there had never been a dull moment. From blasting 2000s hits between the commute to serious discussions surrounding love for music, we were not only able to bond with other members of YISS but also with those from schools around Asia. Guided by Mr. Davis and fellow honor band members, the 13 YISS students helped deliver a beautiful concert. View the concert video.
YISS attendees include Mr. Davis (Band Director), Ms. Kim (Chaperone), Colin C (11, percussion), Isaac S (9, tuba), Ryan S (12, trombone), Gianna P (11, tenor sax), Daniel C (10, tenor sax), Kyra J (12, French horn), Gareth T(12, trumpet), Khan D (9, trumpet), Ashton S (12, alto sax), Caroline R (9, clarinet), John L (10, clarinet), Olivia L (9, oboe), and Audrey Y (12, flute).
The ACSC Honor Band Festival this year was a deeply enriching and unforgettable experience. Guided by our passionate band director and immersed in a music-loving environment, every student departed Hong Kong more of a band kid than they entered it.