Sai Kung is my hometown here in Hong Kong, and my favorite neighborhood in the world. It has been great fun to be part of getting this new project, Sai Kung Sound Collective, or Sasco, off the ground as its first Composer-in-Residence, with Artistic Director, baritone Isaac Droscha, composer Galison Lau, the wonderful people at our partner institution, the Hong Kong Academy, and many others. I’ve had a chance to brush up on my continuo playing skills with flutist Tete Bae, and work on a performance of Hum and Drum with Richard Bamping, solo cellist of the Hong Kong Philharmonic, and pianist Natalia Tokar, one of Sasco’s founding members. At our first bigger event, last Saturday’s Opening Gala Concert, we also heard violist Born Lau and violinist Patrick Yim play KnickKnacks by our first featured guest composer, George Tsontakis, who introduced us to his work; as well as pianist Yoonie Han and soprano Rebekah AuYeung.
Ilari Kaila, composer 