On 11 May, Yew Chung Yew Wah Education Network (YCYW) achieved a remarkable feat by setting a new GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for the Most people in an online violin playing video relay. The event occurred at the Auditorium of the Yew Chung International School of Hong Kong (YCIS Hong Kong) Secondary Section. Ninety students and teachers from 10 YCYW schools participated in this impressive accomplishment, with mainland participants joined the online relay. Each participant contributed a thirty-second violin solo in succession. All ninety participants completed their performances within an hour, thereby breaking a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS  title for the Most people in an online violin playing video relay. An official adjudicator from Guinness World Records confirmed the results. All participating students, teachers and their schools will receive certificates of participation in recognition of their achievements.

Jacob Yip, the Official Guinness World Record Adjudicator, witnessed the unprecedented record set by YCYW.  Aside from being the first organisation to set this record, the event also exemplified the synergy of YCYW campuses across Mainland China and Hong Kong.  

Zhang Xi, who has been a member of the first violin section in the Hong Kong Philharmonic since 1999, was present at the event and was amazed by the performance of both teachers and students. Achieving success in a relay involving ninety participants required significant effort and the collective contribution of staff, teachers, and students was unbelievably impressive. She was deeply moved by the seamless execution of the event. 

YCYW's Music Director, Jeremy Williams, composed the music for this extraordinary event.  He has a wealth of musical experience gained as a former violinist with the London Symphony Orchestra, a member of the Australian String Quartet, and the Principal Viola with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra. Jeremy knows the vital role that music plays in education at YCYW. The YCYW Education Network is committed to inspiring students through its well-structured and meticulously planned music curriculum. As part of this curriculum, violin is a mandatory instrument for all students from the age of four until Primary Three. In addition, students have opportunities to study various instruments and musical traditions from around the world on the basis of their individual interests. This approach provides a solid foundation for the musical and intellectual growth of the students.

Yuen Yum San, who heads the Strings Programme at YCIS and YWIES, talked about the benefits of the violin programme for children’s development. “A violinist's left and right hands are required to function independently. This stimulates the brain and sensory awareness through the sensitivity in the fingertips,” she explained. The violin programme at YCYW is thoughtfully designed to embrace a holistic and student-centered approach to learning. It also incorporates fun games specifically designed for our young beginners to ensure good posture, which is crucial for the physical development of young children.”

Dr Esther Chan, YCYW’s Deputy Chief Executive Officer (K-12 Education), expressed her delight at the successful achievement for setting new GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title, and noted how honoured the Yew Chung International School of Hong Kong, as part of the Yew Chung Education Network, was to be able to host this event. She elaborated that the record set had dual significance. First, the event coincided with the celebrations for YCYW's 90th anniversary. Second, it was a great opportunity to bring together ninety talented students and teachers from YCIS Hong Kong and the YCYW schools in the Chinese mainland to play the violin and epitomise the musical enlightenment of the Yew Chung Yew Wah Education Network.