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Hawaii Youth Symphony Association 1110 University Avenue, Suite 200 Honolulu, Hawaii 96826-1598
NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID HONOLULU, HI PERMIT NO. 1177
Expansion of HYS Jazz Program Due to popular demand, HYS is expanding beyond classical music and inviting students to find their groove with HYS Jazz. Originating from The Combo program launched in 2018, HYS Jazz is now comprised of two Combo ensembles geared for intermediate and advanced students who play guitar, bass, keyboards, piano, drums, sax, trumpet and trombone. Fall 2019 Newsletter
“Students participating in HYS Jazz will be challenged to expand their creativity all while forming new friendships within an intimate group setting,” said Ryan Howe, Conductor of The Combo II. Our students’ improvisational skills will be put to the test as they’ll learn to create their own melodies, musical lines and take further ownership of their craft as young musicians.” In looking toward the future, HYS Jazz students will also have the opportunity to work directly with top audio engineers, influential musicians and music industry leaders to further explore the many facets of becoming a professional musician. For more information on HYS Jazz, visit www.hiyouthsymphony.org/hysjazz
55 Years of Music for All! Summer Fun at PMI!
Since our founding in 1964, we have seen that children who make music embody commitment, discipline, teamwork and persistence—all traits that are proven to be vital to success in school and to their joy in life.
What an incredible season of our Pacific Music Institute! Mahalo to our friends at NOI+F for an unforgettable summer, and looking forward to next year!
As a longtime board member and instrumental figure in the 1964 incorporation of HYS,
Calendar of Events He Makana O Na Mele: The Gift of Music November 3 , 2019 from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Hilton Hawaiian Village Coral Ballroom
“Many schools and underserved areas don’t have music programs, and we feel everyone should have the opportunity to learn music,” said King. “It has been such a rewarding experience to see HYS grow and serve this need with the great stewardship of our staff, faculty and board, and through the generous support of the community. Here we are 55 years later—Happy Birthday HYS!”
ANA Honolulu Music Week November 16, 2019 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. International Market Place November 17, 2019 from 4 to 6 p.m. Blaisdell Concert Hall Winter Concert Series: Symphony Program December 1, 2019 from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Blaisdell Concert Hall
PMI Jazz Faculty member, Steve Treseler, coaching students on imrpovisational language
Winter Concert Series: Academy Program December 14, 2019 from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Kaimuki High School
Visiting conductor, Richard Scerbo, director fo NOI+F, leading an orchestra rehearsal
HYS Students Play Up Miami Beach and the Big Apple Hawaii was represented at Carnegie Hall this summer by HYS’ very own musicians through the prestigious National Youth Orchestra 2 (NYO2) program. Youth Symphony I students Stephanie Yoshida and Yudai Leonzon (violin), and Matin Boulos (double bass), spent the summer studying and playing music in the Big Apple alongside other outstanding young American instrumentalists.
Listen & Learn 2019-20 December 2, 2019 from 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. December 3, 2019 from 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Blaisdell Concert Hall Winter Concert Series: HYS Jazz December 9, 2019 from 7 to 9 p.m. Studio 909
Roy E. King has witnessed firsthand the power of music and the positive influence Hawaii’s only youth symphony has had on the confidence and personal development of generations of students.
Kisa Uradomo, HYS Alum and now teaching fellow from NOI+F
OLA Symphony flutists in rehearsal
Follow us on social media @hiyouthsymphony
OLA Symphony string students in rehearsal for concert
Have an idea for a story, or other commends? Send a note to communityfeedback@hiyouthsymphony.org. Mahalo!
Comprised of young musicians from across the nation, NYO2 is a free national youth orchestra program created by Carnegie Hall with a mission to provide musical opportunities to musicians from communities underrepresented in classical music. Through a partnership between NYO2 and the New World Symphony, Stephanie, Yudai, and Matin performed at the New World Center in Miami Beach and Carnegie Hall in New York City, under the artistic direction of conductor Carlos Miguel Prieto. Congratulations to these amazing young musicians for representing our state and our organization so well!
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Making music is a right, not a privilege. President’s Message – Randy Wong Our 55th anniversary is the perfect time to reflect on our history, and the many ways our organization has evolved since 1964. We’re honored to have inspired so many amazing young musicians across the Hawaiian Islands, and from around the globe, to join in the universal joy of music. The support of the community throughout the years has been tremendous, and continues to fuel a bright future for HYS as we light the candles on a new season. We‘re coming off of an incredible Pacific Music Institute program with our partners at the National Orchestral Institute + Festival, expanding our jazz program in exciting ways, and reaching even more underserved communities through our Music in the Clubhouse partnership with The Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii. Following this summer’s spectacular Pacific Music Institute, I had an opportunity to travel to Berlin and Amsterdam, where I attended a portion of the Young Euro Classic—a series of performances by national youth orchestras. It was clear from the Classic that people the world over believe in the transformative power of orchestral music, just as we do at HYS. This November, we’re excited to celebrate our birthday at our annual fundraising gala, He Makana O Na Mele: The Gift of Music, presented by ALTRES, Inc. The proceeds raised at Nā Mele benefit every HYS program, helping us ensure that music is a right, not a privilege, for all young people in Hawaii. Please join me on Sunday, November 3, at our Na Mele gala, to toast 55 years of music education! The party will feature Youth Symphony I, Maestro Joseph Stepec and a special appearance by internationally celebrated musician and new member of the HYS Board of Directors, Jake Shimabukuro. Enjoy a silent auction, cocktails, gourmet dinner, and of course, a special birthday cake. I hope to see you there!
HYS Launches Violin Class for Nanakuli Youth This September, HYS launched a Music in the Clubhouse initiative with the Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii to introduce Nanakuli youth to the violin. Violins are being generously loaned to HYS by alumna Louise Lanzilotti, founder of Ka Liko Lehua/El Sistema Hawaii. The violin class will supplement an entry-level Soundwavez general music class already provided by the Boys & Girls Club. Music in the Clubhouse’s low-cost, entry-level classes are made possible through the generosity of private foundations and public support. For more information, visit hiyouthsymphony.org/mitch.
ANA Honolulu Music Week 2019 marks the start of a new music festival coming to Honolulu, ANA Honolulu Music Week, to be held November 15-17! This week-long music festival invites musicians, community members and visitors to share their joy of music with a special celebration of culture and live entertainment from some of Hawaii’s most renowned artists. In partnership with ANA Airlines, the State of Hawaii, the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra, UH Manoa, and the City and County of Honolulu, HYS is thrilled to be part of this multicultural extravaganza. Our students will have the opportunity to perform in multiple events throughout the festival. Visit our website for a full listing of concerts!
2019 PRSA Hawaii Chapter Koa Anvil Award of Excellence HYS has received the prestigious PRSA Koa Anvil Award of Excellence for its integrated communications campaign surrounding last year’s efforts regarding our “New Organization Vision.” Working in tandem with Becker Communications, Inc., HYS embarked on a comprehensive outreach plan to help share our vision with the community. Mahalo to PRSA for the recognition of our work—and the importance of “making music a right, not a privilege”—with the honor!
HYS Welcomes New Leadership Joseph Stepec, Director of Orchestral Activities “HYS’ mission and its goals are ones that I deeply resonate with from my own special and formative years playing in a youth symphony: the opportunity to learn to make music together at the highest level and with the greatest commitment is one that shapes lives and forges unbreakable friendships and memories.” We are delighted to welcome Joseph Stepec to our HYS faculty in the newly created position of Director of Orchestral Activities as well as his post as our Artistic Director for Pacific Music Institute. Joe oversees the artistic and educational aspects of the three orchestras in the HYS Symphony Program, as well as conducts Youth Symphony I. Hailing from Cleveland, Ohio, Joe came to Hawaii to serve as Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Orchestras at the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s Music Department. Together with Dr. ChetYeng Loong of the University of Hawaii, Joe began the Hawaii All State String Orchestra in 2017, which serves local students in an effort to promote string performance and education. Joe brings a wealth of musical experience and knowledge to his role at HYS. In addition to studying violin with Gregory Fulkerson at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and conducting at the Eastman School of Music with master teacher, Neil Varon, Joe has also studied at the Pierre Monteux School for Conductors and pursued doctoral studies at the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University.
Chad Uyehara, Academy String Program Director “Our students exude a wonderful enthusiasm for learning and performing. As a HYS educator, I am fortunate to share that joy of music with the students and happy to give back to the organization that helped nurture my own passion for music. I’m looking forward to furthering our incredible program in this new role.” HYS is excited to share that Chad Uyehara, formerly our Academy String Program Conductor, has been promoted to Academy String Program Director. In his new position, Chad supervises Academy faculty and administrative staff, provides direction for HYS outreach initiatives, and will continue to conduct the Concert String Orchestra and Intermediate String Ensemble. A proud alumnus of HYS, Chad received his Master’s of Music in Music Education and Viola Performance from Northwestern University. Additional studies include the Brevard Music Center Summer Institute and Festival, the Conductor’s Workshop of America, Mimi Zweig’s Retreat for Violin and Viola Teachers, and many Suzuki Association of the Americas teacher training courses. An accomplished musician, Chad has performed on violin and viola with the Las Vegas Philharmonic, Desert Springs Chamber Orchestra, and the Honolulu Symphony. He has taught orchestra with the Clark County School District in Nevada, the Las Vegas Youth Philharmonic, and the Hawaii Department of Education. He also currently directs orchestras with St. Andrew’s Schools - The Priory.
In the Spotlight: Erin Nishi & Punahou Music Club Aspiring to be the change they wanted to see in their community, Punahou School student and YSI violinist, Erin Nishi, and students from the Punahou Music Club were inspired by HYS’ vision of making “music a right, not a privilege.” Erin and other members of the club volunteered their time to orchestrate a fundraising concert to generate donations to benefit HYS’ Music In The Clubhouse (MITCH) Partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii. MITCH programs provide low-cost, entry-level classes to new students. Loaned instruments, sheet music, and other supplies, are provided to to MITCH students, breaking down financial barriers that often prevent children from getting started with music.
“Music has truly enriched my life and has opened many doors of opportunity for which I’m grateful,” said Erin. “Everyone should have the opportunity to experience the joy of music, no matter their circumstances.” The Punahou Music Club’s concert raised nearly $6,000 for Music in the Clubhouse. Punahou Music Club/HYS Students who participated in the concert include Erika Kwee (grade 9, violin), Kate Wong (grade 9, violin), Rachel Huang (grade 10, viola), Mira Hu (grade 11, cello), Erin Nishi (grade 11, violin), Kauai Paule (grade 12, violin), Allyson Kwong (grade 12, violin), and Stella Hung (grade 12, violin). Julian Kwong (grade 12, cello) also worked the ticket and donation table for the concert. Mahalo to all of the students, teachers, and families who participated and made the concert a huge success!
HYS Named Recipient of Carnegie Hall Grant Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute (WMI) recently announced its 2019–2020 grant recipients for PlayUSA, a program that supports a wide range of instrumental music education projects across the nation, all with a specific interest in reaching low-income and underserved students on a local level. For its fifth anniversary year, Carnegie Hall selected 17 esteemed organizations, including 5 new partners, of which HYS was named, becoming Hawaii‘s first recipient of this prestigious grant program. In regard to $25,000 to seed HYS’ newly-launched Music In The Clubhouse Strings Program at the Boys & Girls Club Nanakuli YET Clubhouse, the PlayUSA network will connect HYS with further resources to learn, expand, and develop best practices for our community music programs, while opening new doorways for young people to achieve their greatest potential.
Board of Directors Chair: Patti Look Vice Chair: Sharon R. Himeno Secretary: Erica Mau Orejel Treasurer: Mary Ellen Williams Directors: Alan Arizumi, Liza Wo Davis, Gladys Hirano, Collin Hoo, Martin Hsia, Richard K. Ing, Roy King, Jr., Tina Lau, Malcolm Lau, Michael Onofrietti, Geoffrey S. Sewell, MD., Jake Shimabukuro, Jean Tsukamoto