A “friendship concert” organised by tele-vision station TVK provided viewers with the rare scene of classical musicians from Cambodia and Hong Kong playing together when it aired last week.

A group of muscians from the Hong Kong-based VIVACE Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Mentore a capella group visited the  Royal University of Fine Arts last Sunday to share their experience with Cambodian music students, including members of the Symphony Music School.

After agreeing to perform an impromptu concert for TVK viewers, the musicians picked up their instruments and the show – which went off without a hitch – was broadcast across Cambodia.

Hun Lak, president of the Symphony Music School, said the concert had been a valuable experience for the students involved.

“This is the first time Khmer and Hong Kong artists have met directly to exchange their experiences and interests,’’ he said.

“It is just the starting point for Cambodia in developing its arts and music sectors.”

Yos Chandara, dean of the faculty of music of the Royal University of Fine Art, agreed.

“The development level of Khmer arts is low because Cambodia does not have many music schools at an international standard. Most students in high school and university are learning music in a way that prevents them putting their hearts and feeling into songs,’’ Yos said.

He added that many Cambodian music stud-ents could not afford quality instruments.