From international trips to Dusseldorf and Seoul, a variety of local performances opportunities for students, to exceptional university placements, the music department at American School Hong Kong celebrates a fantastic year of student growth and achievement.

Setting the tone for an exciting year, ten secondary school musicians from ASHK traveled to Düsseldorf, Germany, to take part in the Association for Music in International Schools (AMIS) Honours Jazz Festival. Out of this group, five students were selected for the elite Festival Band, a notable accomplishment given that selection was made from over 150 international schools worldwide. The remaining five, who are younger developing musicians, attended workshops and masterclasses, where they learned directly from experienced professionals and deepened their understanding of jazz techniques. This experience placed ASHK’s students among top young musicians globally, offering them valuable performance experience and international exposure.

Three students received offers from the Berklee College of Music, while others were accepted to institutions such as the Boston Conservatory, New England Conservatory, and the Juilliard School.

Shortly after their return from Germany, the ASHK Lab Jazz ensemble was invited to perform at the West Kowloon Jazz Festival, a major annual music event in Hong Kong that celebrates jazz music and culture. This opportunity allowed the students to perform on the same afternoon as jazz legend Herbie Hancock, who was headlining the festival. The students were excited to showcase their work before a live audience and enjoyed the chance to watch Herbie Hancock and other professional acts perform.

In December, ASHK’s Winter Concerts featured performances from students across all grade levels, from Kindergarten through Grade 12. These concerts provided a platform to demonstrate the progress of the students and to highlight the breadth of the school’s music program. The event concluded with a community play-along and sing-along of “Wonderful Christmastime,” uniting the audience and performers in a shared celebration of the season.

The Spring Concert was another highlight for ASHK musicians, featuring performances at the HK Fringe Festival, held at the Fringe Club, and at Disneyland Hong Kong by the ASHK Concert Band ECA. Additionally, four ASHK students were selected to participate in the AMIS Asian Honour Bands in Seoul, further expanding their musical experiences and connections within the local and international music communities.

ASHK also hosted its first Jazz Night, focusing on middle and high school students. The event featured large ensemble jazz pieces as well as student-led combos, giving students opportunities to collaborate and to take the lead in performances. Family and friends attended to support the performers, contributing to a positive and encouraging atmosphere.

Spring also brought news of major music university acceptances for ASHK seniors. Three students received offers from the Berklee College of Music, while others were accepted to institutions such as the Boston Conservatory, New England Conservatory, and the Juilliard School. All acceptances were unconditional, and several were accompanied by scholarship offers, marking a significant achievement for the graduating class.

Looking ahead, ASHK’s Head of Music, Mr. Liam Callan, was elected to the AMIS Board of Trustees, a group of nine teachers who oversee the organization. This appointment reflects Mr. Callan’s leadership and raises ASHK’s profile in the international music education community. In the next academic year, ASHK will host the AMIS Global Honour Jazz Festival in October 2025. Selected by audition from over 150 member schools, student musicians from around the world will gather in Hong Kong for the first Honors Jazz Festival to be held outside Europe in nearly a decade. Hosting this event is a significant honor for ASHK and will bring together talented young musicians to share their passion for jazz.