About String Orchestra
The University of Macau String Orchestra (UMSO) was established in January 2010. It consists of undergraduates and postgraduates of the University of Macau and there are currently 40 members. In order to provide members professional training to improve their techniques and performance level, orchestra makes its best to offer various musical platforms for UM string enthusiasts to perform and exchange music knowledge. It also aims to build up members’ friendship, through of these training and performances. In addition, the Orchestra also aims to promote the art culture on campus, letting UM students appreciate the diversity of music and promote the development of local stringed music.
The orchestra rehearses regularly for different kinds of performances and events such as full orchestra, quartet and so on. We sometimes invite other professional musicians for training and joint performance such as Mr. Francis Kan, the conductor of Macao Orchestra, Mr. Le Hoai-nam, second violin principal of Hong Kong Sinfonietta, RTHK Quartet, Mr. Che Jian , Principal Viola of Sichuan Symphony, Prof. Gene Moon, Music Director of Stephen F Austin State University’s (SFASU) School of Music, Prof. Melissa Nabb, instructor at Stephen F Austin State University’s (SFASU) School of Music, Mr. Thierry Mirgolia, Marimba player from France and Ms. Fiona Foo Pui-yee, Marimba player from Hong Kong. Externally, UMSO is often invited to various concerts and ceremonies as guest performers. Besides, the Orchestra was invited to the joint concert “The Future of Classical Music” – A concert presented by Macao Orchestra with local musicians annually since 2013. It allows members to enhance their performance level through of rehearsals and performances with professional musicians and orchestra.
UMSO encourages and supports members to participate campus and local concerts, most recent concerts include “Attack on Animals” (2014), iVALDI MEETS PiAZZOLLA – THE FOUR SEASONS” (2014), Spring Music Campus Concert Night (2015), Lightening String (2015), UM & SFA Friendly Quartet Concert (2017), etc. UMSO also participates in university-wide events such as Open Day. Aside from being active in Macao, UMSO also does music exchanges in other places such as Taiwan, Bangkok, Singapore and USA.
The orchestra aims to contribute to the arts and cultural development of UM and Macao, as well as to provide more opportunities for members or audience to enjoy the music. UMSO welcomes more string lovers, like-minded partners to join the orchestra, where together to enjoy the fun of the string.
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 of UM String Orchestra

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.
Current instructors:
- Conductor: John Ma
- Violin Instructor: Harris Hsuen, Michael Tou
- Viola Instructor: Anthony Cheong
- Cello Instructor:: Daniel Leong
- Team Manager: Sharon Kuok
Members 2021/22
- 胡 駿 然 VU CHON IN
- 梁 梓 鋒 LEONG CHI FONG
- 鄺 詠 怡 KUONG WENG I
- 鄺 詠 怡 KUONG WENG I
- 張 馨 之 CHEONG HENG CHI
- 肖 昱 孜 XIAO YUZI
- 譚 曉 蔚 TAN XIAOWEI
- 李 婉 君 LEI UN KUAN
- 劉 俊 燁 LAO CHON IP
- 張 藝 涵 ZHANG YIHAN
- 應 一 帆 YING YIFAN
- 劉 梓 謙 LAO CHI HIM
- 張 馨 之 CHEONG HENG CHI
- 謝 宗 熹 CHE CHONG HEI
- 張 一 涵 ZHANG YIHAN
- 許 鈞 奇 HOI KUAN KEI
- 李 澤 賢 LEI CHAK IN
- 李 靜 茹 LI JINGRU
- 許 淨 潼 HOI CHENG TONG
- 夏 天 意 XIA TIANYI
- 曾 美 恩 CHANG MEI IAN
- 鄺 雨 雋 KONG U CHON
- 趙 彥 雅 ZHAO YANYA
- 林 宇 菁 LIN YUJING
- 林 綽 盈 LAM CHEOK IENG
- 王 楚 琪 WANG CHUQI
- 董 士 濤 DONG SHITAO
- 黃 卓 敏 WONG CHEUK MAN
- 洪 冰 菁 HONG BINGJING
Training Schedule
Every Sunday: 20:00 – 22:00, E31-G004
Every Monday: 19:00 – 21:00, 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 |
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) |