ATHENS, Ohio -- Ohio University-Southern Campus will host the Hong Kong Baptist Lui Ming Choi Primary School Youth Orchestra from July 15 to 26. The orchestra will perform a free concert at 7 p.m., Friday, July 19, on the green at Southern Campus in Ironton.

The orchestra is comprised of 50 children, ages 6 to 16, who play Western and Chinese music and instruments.

During their stay, the children will participate in the Summer Academy, an annual two-week enrichment learning experience for children hosted by the Southern Campus. Academy activities include instruction in math, Spanish, art, physical science, computer science and cooking.

Bartholomew Law, the conductor of the youth orchestra, was the first graduate of Ohio University's Hong Kong program in 1992. He also graduated from Ohio University in Athens with a master's degree in music in 1994.

Ohio University-Southern Campus Associate Dean Eric Cunningham, who was director of Ohio University's Hong Kong program from 1997 to 1999, helped coordinate the orchestra's visit. Law served as an instructor for the Hong Kong program during Cunningham's second year as director.

The orchestra will conduct outdoor rehearsals from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, July 15, through Thursday, July 18, and attendees are encouraged to bring their own seating.

"These children will be ambassadors for Hong Kong during their visit," Cunningham said. "It will be a fun and exciting experience for everyone involved."

For more information, contact Mary Honaker at (740) 533-4646 or freemanm@ohio.edu.