About String Orchestra

The University of Macau String Orchestra (UMSO) is a music ensemble formed in January 2010. Comprising undergraduate and graduate students from the University of Macau, UMSO currently consists of approximately forty members. The orchestra aims to provide its members with professional training to enhance their techniques and performance levels. It also strives to create diverse music platforms for string enthusiasts at the University of Macau to perform and exchange musical knowledge. Additionally, UMSO promotes art and cultural activities on campus, allowing UM students to appreciate the richness and diversity of music.

UMSO regularly rehearses as a full orchestra and smaller ensembles in preparation for performances. The orchestra has invited renowned musicians such as Mr. Francis Kan, the former assistant conductor of the Macao Orchestra, Mr. Le Hoai-nam, the second violin principal of the Hong Kong Sinfonietta, the RTHK Quartet, Mr. Che Jian, Principal Viola of the Sichuan Symphony, Professor Gene Moon, Music Director of Stephen F. Austin State University’s (SFASU) School of Music, Professor Melissa Nabb, an instructor at Stephen F. Austin State University’s (SFASU) School of Music, Mr. Thierry Mirgolia, a Marimba player from France, and Ms. Fu Pui Yee, a Marimba player from Hong Kong, to provide training and perform jointly. UMSO is frequently invited to various concerts and ceremonies, both locally and externally, and has been participating in the joint concert “The Future of Classical Music” presented by the Macao Orchestra with local musicians since 2013 until 2022. These opportunities allow UMSO members to enhance their performance skills through collaborations with professional musicians and orchestras.

UMSO actively encourages and supports its members to participate in campus and local concerts. The orchestra organizes flash mobs and regular concerts and also takes part in university-wide events like Open Day. In addition to its activities in Macau, UMSO engages in music exchanges with other places, including Taiwan, Bangkok, Singapore, and the USA. During the pandemic, UMSO produced a music video dedicated to all the frontline healthcare workers and personnel fighting against the epidemic, an adapted version of the String Quartet – “Stay with You” by JJ Lin. UMSO performed their first big collaboration after the pandemic with the UM Dance Troupe, titled “Bluebird,” in April 2023, featuring more than 100 performers and attracting around 1,000 audience. Recently, UMSO has been invited to perform at the “Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area University Student Music Night” in November 2023, celebrating the 74th anniversary of the establishment of the People’s Republic of China and the 24th anniversary of the establishment of the Macao Special Administrative Region. 

UMSO aims to contribute to the development of the University of Macau and provide more opportunities for its members and audiences to enjoy music. The orchestra welcomes passionate and like-minded individuals who share a love for string instruments to join them in experiencing the joy of music together.

The objectives of String Orchestra are:

  • To provide a platform for string enthusiasts to perform and exchange music knowledge
  • To improve performance and training quality of members
  • To enhance members’ music interest, enthusiasm, communication and build up good friendship through training and performances
  • To promote art culture on campus and the development of local stringed music

UMSO Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/UMStringOrchestra

Contact Person
Student Resources Section (E31-2007)
Ms. Sharon Kuok
Tel:(853) 8822 9906
Fax: (853) 8822 2368
Email: sao.services@um.edu.mo

Conductor 

John Ma, Pou Mang

John Ma is a young violinist. He holds a Bachelor Degree of Music (Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts) and a Master Degree of Music (University of Cincinnati, Conservatory-College of Music in United States).

As an orchestral player, Ma was selected as one of the members of the Youtube Symphony Orchestra 2011 under the baton of top 10 conductors in the world, Michael Tilson Thomas and gave 3 perofrmances in Sydney Opera House in March 2011. The live stream of the Grand Finale concert at the Sydney Opera House was the largest live stream YouTube ever made, connecting 33 millions on computers and mobile devices. During the stay in Sydney, he worked with great musicians from orchestra from Berlin Philharmonic, Vienna Philharmonic, London Symphony Orchestra, San Francisco Orchestra, etc. He is currently one of the members of the Hong Kong City Chamber Orchestra. He participated in many major orchestra performances in Hong Kong and Macau, like the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HKPO), the Hong Kong Sinfonietta Orchestra (HKSO), the Hong Kong Virtuosi Society Orchestra and the Macau Chamber Orchestra (MCO) as a guest violinist. He was the concertmaster of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts Academy Symphony Orchestra (HKAPA ASO), the Hong Kong Chamber Orchestra, the Macau Conservatory Chamber Orchestra and the Macau Youth Symphony Orchestra (MYSO). Besides that, he also takes part in the doctor orchestras in Hong Kong like MedArts Orchestra to help fund raising, visit retiring homes and hospitals.

Ma also appeared in different orchestras as a soloist such as the Macau Chamber Orchestra, the Macau Conservatory Orchestra, the Macau Youth Symphony Orchestra, and the Academy Symphony Orchestra. In 2007, he won the HKAPA Concerto Competition, and performed in the winners’ concert in the Juilliard Master Class and Concerts Series with the HKAPA ASO. He has also been invited by the RTHK to be a guest artist to perform. In 2009, he was appointed to be the soloist for the MYSO China Tour 2009. Recently he just gave a recital in Hong Kong University of Science and Technology with Jacqueline Leung in October.

After receiving his bachelor degree from the HKAPA, where he studied with Professor Michael Ma, Ma received his Master Degree as a full scholarship student of the world famous pedagogue Kurt Sassmannshaus at the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music. He is also one of the winners of the “Starling Scholarship Competition” in 2007.

In 2005 and 2006, he joined “one of the best music camp in the world” (May 2006, The Strad. Magazine) – the Great Wall International Music Academy in Beijing. He studied with various pedagogues like Kurt Sassmannshaus, the Tchaikovsky and other competitions winner Piotr Milewski, the “Father of Violin Pedagogy” Lin Yao Ji, and the American Strings Quartet etc.

Ma accepted the invitation to form the Strings Orchestra for the University of Macau in 2010, and appointed to be the orchestra conductor, his aim is to enhance the classical music acknowledgement in the campus and form the unique strings sound of the University. The orchestra performances were well received. Ma also gives coaching to its strings quartet or ensemble for small performance.

Assistant Conductor 

Cheong Wai Leong, Violin/Viola/Assistant Conductor

Born in Macau. Cheong acquired his early studies at Chan Sui Ki Perpetual Help College and the Macau Conservatory, where he studied violin under Mr Chan Lap Kwan and viola studies under Mr Su Jia Juan. He joined the Macau Youth Symphony Orchestra in 2000. He was also the winner of the Macau Young Musicians Competition.

Cheong got his professional training at The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA) with several scholarships including one from the Macau Cultural Affairs Bureau and the other from Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, where he got a Diploma and Bachelor of viola performing (with honors) studying with Mr. Leung Kin Fung, the First Associate Concertmaster of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra Cheong studied his orchestra conducting under Mr Alan Cumberland and Maestro Henry Shek. In 2012, Cheong joined “The 3rd China (Xiamen) Professor Zheng Xiao Ying Master Classes for Orchestra Conducting” and was selected to be one of the youth conductors conducting the Xiamen Philharmonic Orchestra in the season opening concert 2012.

As an active musician, Cheong had performed as a soloist with the Macau Youth Symphony, Macau Virtuosi, Macau Orchestra, Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra and the University of Macau String Orchestra. As an orchestral player, Cheong was the viola principle of the Macau Virtuosi, Macau Youth Symphony Orchestra (MYSO), assistant viola principle of the Academy Symphony Orchestra (HKAPA) and the freelance musicians of the Macau Orchestra (OM) and the Hong Kong New Philharmonic Orchestra (HKNPO). Cheong had participated in various international music festivals including Young Euro Classic, Charterhouse International Music Festival (England), British Isles Music festival (England), Great Wall International Music Academy (China), Shanghai International Arts Festival(China) and The 25th Macau International Arts Festival. He also travels with the Macau Youth Symphony Orchestra, Macau Virtuosi and the Macau Orchestra to various countries which include China, Taiwan, Japan, Singapore, Australia and Europe .

Cheong is now the ICM Cultural Communication Ambassador of the Macau SAR government, founder of the Anthony Studio and the co-finder of the Macau Music Art Space (MMAS) & M.A.C String Quartet, the headmaster of the Anthony Music Teaching Center, the assistant conductor and violin & viola teacher at the University of Macau String Orchestra, the violin teacher at the Academia de Music S.Pio X and Chan Sui Ki Perpetual Help College.

Beside performing and teaching, Cheong also active on international music competition jury and art management areas. He is the jury of the UK Royal International Art Competition (2018), the Hong Kong International Youth Performance Arts Festival (2018)(2019) and the US NMCC Music Competition Asian Finals (2019). He is also the head administrator of the Portugal Santa Cecilia International Piano Competition Macau Region (2018 – 2019, 2021) and the NMCC Music Competition Macau Region (2019).

Current instructors:

  • Conductor: John Ma
  • Assistant Conductor: Anthony Cheong
  • Violin Instructor: Chang Cheok Man
  • Viola Instructor: Anthony Cheong
  • Cello Instructor:: Daniel Leong

Training Schedule

Every Monday: 20:00 – 22:00, E31-G004
Every Wednesday: 13:00-15:00, E31-G004

Eligibility & Application

  • All UM students
  • Interested in string music
  • Absolutely available for attending our compulsory weekly trainings
  • Ability to do sign-reading (scores)
  • Prior in string orchestra experience
  • Pass an audition (audition including testing live performance, side-reading, and tempo)

Application Method

If you are interested in joining String Orchestra, please fill in the application form

 

Name of Activity Date Performed by
Celebration of the 74th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China and the 24th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Macau Special Administrative Region – Guangdong, Hong Kong, Macau Greater Bay Area University Student Music Night” event
2023/11/25 UM String Orchestra
UM String Orchestra x California Baptist University – String Companion Concert 2023/11/06 UM String Orchestra x California Baptist University
UM String Orchestra X UM Dance Troupe Joint Performance: Bluebird 2023/04/21 UM String Orchestra & Dance Troupe
UM Symphonic Band & String Orchestra Graduation Concert “Platform No. 9” 2023/03/24 UM Symphonic Band & String Orchestra
UM String Orchestra “Good Old Days – Strings Film Party” Concert 2022/11/18 UM String Orchestra
UM String Orchestra & UM Symphonic Band: 2022 Graduation Concert 
2022/04/14 UM String Orchestra & UM Symphonic Band:
UM String Orchestra “Dancing the Night Away” Concert

2022/04/11

UM String Orchestra & MCMC (Performance Guest)
Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the University of Macau: UM String Orchestra “Strolling in String Night” Concert 

2021/04/29

UM String Orchestra
“A Winter’s Tune” Concert

2020/12/18

UM String Orchestra
38th Macao Young Musicians Competition
*CHE CHONG HEI – Violin (Advanced level) First Prize
*LEI CHAK IN – Viola (Advanced level) Second Prize
*LEI UN KUAN – Cello (Advanced level) Distinction
*LEONG CHI FONG – Violin (Advanced level) Distinction

2020/08

UM String Orchestra
Anti-COVID-19 Collection Series – UM Orchestra presents the string quartet version of “Stay with You” composed by Lin Jun Jie dedicated to those against COVID-19

2020/05

UM String Orchestra
“Chamber Evening” Concert 

2019/11/25

UM String Orchestra
“Voyage to Classical Music” Concert

2019/04/09

UM String Orchestra
UM String Orchestra presents “Films in Concert”

2018/03/27

UM String Orchestra
“The Popular Hits of String Concert” by

2017/11/20

UM String Orchestra & Macau Chamber Music Association
UM String Orchestra Faculty Concert

2017/09/06

UM String Orchestra
“The Future of Classical Music” Concert

2017/05

UM String Orchestra, UM Symphonic Band, Macao Orchestra and other youths
UM Open Day 2017

2017/04

UM Choir, Chinese Orchestra, Dance Troupe, Magic Team, String Orchestra & Symphonic Band
The University of Macau & Stephen F. Austin State University Friendly Concert

2017/02

UM String Orchestra & Stephen F. Austin State University Orchestra
Campus Concert – “Lightening String”

2016/11

UM String Orchestra
UM Choir Campus Concert – “With Love along the Music Journey”

2016/04

UM Choir & String Orchestra
UM 35th Anniversary Talent Show

2016/03

UM Choir, Chinese Orchestra, Dance Troupe, Magic Team, String Orchestra & Symphonic Band
UM Open Day

2016/03

UM Choir, Chinese Orchestra, Dance Troupe, Magic Team, String Orchestra & Symphonic Band
The University of Macau & Stephen F. Austin State University Friendly Quartet Concert

2016/03

UM String Orchestra & Stephen F. Austin State University
“The Future of Classical Music” Concert

2016/2

UM String Orchestra & Macao Orchestra
UM String Orchestra Autumn Music Concert

2015/11

UM String Orchestra
UM Cultural Night

2015/10

UM Choir, Chinese Music Orchestra, Dance Troupe, String Orchestra & Symphonic Band
Art Fever

2015/08

UM Choir, Chinese Music Orchestra, Dance Troupe, String Orchestra & Symphonic Band
UM String Orchestra Exchange Trip to NTU

2015/06

UM String Orchestra & Nanyang Technological University of Singapore
UM Culture & Arts Team Music Camp Recital

2015/05

UM Choir, String Orchestra & Symphonic Band
Art Feast

2015/03

UM String Orchestra
UM String Orchestra Spring Music Campus Concert Night

2015/03

UM String Orchestra
“The Four Seasons” ViVALDI Meets PiAZZOLLA

2014/10

UM String Orchestra
UM Band & String Orchestra Roadshow

2014/10

UM String Orchestra, UM Symphonic Band
UM Culture & Arts Festival Grand Opening Parade

2014/09

UM Choir, Chinese Music Orchestra, Dance Troupe, String Orchestra & Symphonic Band
2012/2013 Graduation Dinner

2013/06

UM String Orchestra
“Pray for Ya An” Donation Activity

2013/04

UM String Orchestra
UM Culture & Arts Festival 2013 Roadshow – “Our Time Capsule”

2013/03

UM String Orchestra
UM Culture & Arts Festival 2013 Kick-off Concert – “Danstring”

2013/03

UM String Orchestra
“The Future of Classical Music” – Joint Performance of Macao Orchestra and Young Local Musicians

2013/02

UM String Orchestra
Second Christmas Roadshow

2012/12

UM String Orchestra
Chamber Music Concert

2012/11/26

UM String Orchestra
30th Macao Young Musicans Competition

2012/07/09

String, Classical Guitar, Wind or Percussion Ensemble of Western Instruments (11 to 25 individuals)
Certificate of Competence: 
Chu Weng Kuok / Chan Weng Loi / Chan Chi Kei / Wong Si Kei / Choi Man I / Long Si Weng / Cheong Weng Hang / Ho Hoi Fong / Chan Long Wai / Choi Lai Ian / Kan Pou Wa / Au Yeung Ka Seng String Concerto (Violin, Viola, Violoncello, Double Bass)
Certificate of Competence: 
Chan Weng Loi / Chu Weng Kuok / Hoi Wai Lap
30th Macao Young Musicans Competition

2012/07/03

Violin Solo – Advanced Level (Certificate of Merit): 
Chan Weng Loi
2011/2012 Congregation

2012/06/18

UM String Orchestra, Symphonic Band and Choir
“Night of String Orchestra” – joint concert with Shih Chien University

2012/05/21 – 25

UM String Orchestra and String Orchestra of Shih Chien University
“The Future of Classical Music” Concert

2011/12/12

Macao Orchestra, Macao Youth Symphony Orchestra, Macau Police Band, Macao Youth Symphonic Band, UM String Orchestra and String Orchestra of Macao Conservatory
“Phantom of the Orchestra” Concert

2012/04/02

UM String Orchestra
“Heart String” Concert

2011/03/28

UM String Orchestra
String @ UM Activity

2010/11/29 – 12/03

UM String Orchestra
12th Hong Kong (Asia Pacific) Piano competition

2010/10

UM String Orchestra (guest performers)