Chair: Patti Look Vice Chair: Sharon R. Himeno Secretary: Erica Mau-Schank Treasurer: Mary Ellen Williams Directors: Alan Arizumi, Lorrin Hirano, Collin Hoo, Martin Hsia, David Imanaka, Richard K. Ing, Malcolm Lau, Michael Onofrietti, Aaron J. Salā, Geoffrey S. Sewell, M.D., Jake Shimabukuro, Jean Tsukamoto
President, Randy Wong Administration
Director of Operations: Aris Doike Assistant Operations Manager: Parker Nakamura Programs Manager: Hannah Watanabe Finance Manager: Lori Yamashita
Symphony Program Wayne Fanning Elton Masaki Susan Ochi-Onishi Joseph Stepec, Director Hannah Watanabe
Academy String Program Michael Lim, Conductor Brent Ramos, Coordinator Chad Uyehara, Director
Jazz Program
Ryan Howe Noel Okimoto Dean Taba, Director
Pacific Music Institute
Kassi Hatakenaka, Admissions Coordinator Ignace Jang, Solo & String Quartet Jeremy Lawi, General Manager Joseph Stepec, Artistic Director Dean Taba, Jazz
Music in the Clubhouse
Parker Nakamura, Music4Kids Yuseon Nam, Nanakuli Violin Class
Advancing Music Journeys, New Friendships The joys of collaboration! Hawaii Youth Symphony is delighted to announce that the iconic Hawaii Convention Center will once again host our Pacific Music Institute (PMI) summer music camp.
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Board of Directors
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Spring Newsletter 2022
Students from all different backgrounds with a shared love of music and commitment are invited to elevate their skills with world-class faculty and make new friends.
“My favorite memory at PMI was when we did the group quartet masterclass. I enjoyed listening to other groups perform and it was fun meeting new kids.”
- Ashlyn Ito, HYS student
8th grade Iolani School student Ashlyn Ito has been an active member of Hawaii Youth Symphony. As well as playing the cello in our Symphony Program, and participating in the Solo & String Quartet program, she was also a student of our first ever Ukulele Workshop last year at PMI. Initially hearing about PMI from friends and classmates, Ashlyn thought it would be a fun opportunity to obtain more experience playing in a quartet. As she explains, “PMI is different from a normal orchestra program in terms of growing your communication skills and understanding individual parts. Hearing feedback and getting advice from all the teachers was really helpful.” To properly celebrate the beauty of collaborative play that the students experience at PMI, we must recognize the ways our instructors work tirelessly to make it all possible. We recently spoke with former HYS music director and this year’s PMI Wind Ensemble Conductor, Grant Okamura, about the impact that PMI has on our students. “Through the years, we’ve made such wonderful music together and I recall students expressing how they thrived upon returning to their schools. I am so looking forward to being a part of this incredible program and making beautiful music again.” - Grant Okamura, PMI Wind Ensemble Conductor PMI is July 17-24, at the Convention Center! Learn more at pacificmushi.org.
Celebrating & Advocating for Music Education The existence of music programs is contingent on continued investment. The National Association for Music Education (NAfME) and its annual Music in Our Schools Month held in March is helping to bring attention to the impact and beauty of music education, and the schools in our communities that are making a difference.
Access in Action It is always inspiring to see our vision of making music a right, not a privilege in action—and nowhere is that energy better embodied than with our Music in the Clubhouse programs in partnership with Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii. Offering low-cost, entry level classes and free instrument loans, these programs enable students to collaborate and participate in music education on a weekly basis throughout the school year. Hawaii Youth Symphony’s efforts within the Spalding and Nānākuli clubhouse locations would not be possible without the generous support of our community and donors. Together, we have had the opportunity to bring the joys of music to underserved communities across Oahu for nearly 15 years, reaching more than 5,000 local students. Although many HYS students continue their music journeys from the Clubhouse on to our most advanced programs and beyond, the point of it all isn’t necessarily to develop renowned musicians, but well-rounded people. Music education inspires a lifelong love of learning that broadens our understanding of, and engagement in, the world around us. Pictured: Students enrolled at the Music in the Clubhouse Nankuli Strings Program participated in Spring classes supported by a generous grant from Carnegie Hall's PlayUSA initiative to broaden access to quality music education.
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Dena Brennan in HYS Jazz’s Beginning Improvisation Group (BIG)
According to NAfME, schools that have music programs have significantly higher graduation rates than do those without music programs (90.2 percent as compared to 72.9 percent). In addition, those that rate their programs as ‘excellent or very good’ have an even higher graduation rate (90.9 percent).
Hawaii Youth Symphony students hail from many wonderful schools, among them 88 with music programs who help us achieve our mission to make music a right, not a privilege, for all youth in Hawaii. HYS student Dena Brennan, a flutist, attends school at Le Jardin Academy. “Having access to music at my school is a great thrill because then I can use the information that I have learned to play better in the HYS programs,” shares Dena. “At my school, I have an amazing support system of teachers that want me to play my best and allow me to be inspired to pursue music as a career.”
“Currently, at my school, I am the only one that plays the flute. To have that opportunity to play with other instrumentalists that practice the instrument that I do is a leap of joy!”
- Dena Brennan, HYS student
Coinciding with National Music in Our Schools Month, HYS helped to celebrate music education in our communities with the launch of an inspiring social media campaign. Expanding on a dialogue initiated with HYS alumni, HYS is inviting the public to share stories of how “Music is Where it Started for Me” and recognizing the schools in Hawaii and beyond that offer music programs. Insights into programs that are among the first points of contact for young music learners are also being shared, including HYS Listen & Learn concerts conducted in partnership with Hawaii Department of Education. HYS Jazz’s Intermediate Contemporary Ensemble (ICE)
Making music is a right, not a privilege. President’s Message Randy Wong Music provides students with the opportunity to meet people outside of their immediate circle and see the world through a more informed lens. Our vision to provide access to music education for all is not something we can do alone. It takes concerted, intentional and sustained effort. In this newsletter, you’ll see the introduction of a new column titled “Community Connections” where we will highlight our friends in the music community who are working to achieve these shared goals, starting with the O’ahu Band Directors Association. Collective efforts of people from all walks of life makes our work possible. A heartfelt thank you to all of our donors, supporters, and stakeholders who have helped us to weather this pandemic. It's thanks to you that we are able to see the light at the end of the tunnel! Music can also serve as a reprieve in difficult times, and we’ve seen our HYS family benefit from the presence of music in their lives. For the first time in more than two years, our Symphony, Academy, Clubhouse, and Jazz students will have the opportunity to perform live for their parents and friends.
Insights with HYS Board Chair Patti Look How are orchestras—from community ensembles to large professional orchestras—emerging from the challenges of the last two years, and looking to move forward? It is a question that is is being explored by the League of American Orchestras, a national organization to whom HYS is one of more than 1,800 organizations. The League publishes a quarterly magazine, aptly named, Symphony Magazine, and recently, writer Jasmine Liu recently explored with orchestra board leaders in “The View from the Chair” feature article in the Spring 2022 issue.
Student Spotlight: M Kutty For our Student Spotlight, we are pleased to share an article written by Hawaii Youth Symphony violinist M Kutty. M recently published a piece for the national campaign ARTS are Education and is a senior at St. Andrew's Schools. In honor of National Music in Our Schools month, we asked that they share the importance of arts education and what it means to them.
“Music begins where the possibilities of language ends.”
—Jean Sibelius
Photo Credit: Dennis Oda
Hawaii Youth Symphony’s Board Chair Patti Look was among the distinguished interviewees, sharing insights into the important issues facing boards and orchestras as they continue to transform in today’s evolving landscape. Excerpts from her interview include: What are the critical issues facing orchestras now? Opportunities for encouraging support of the arts have been disrupted as a whole, given the limitations placed on traditionally shared experiences. It will be crucial for us and other orchestras to build strategic partnerships with organizations in and beyond music. Doing so will help us to individually, and collectively, advance the roles that music plays in our communities. What inspires you about the future of orchestras? Hawaii Youth Symphony has a bold vision to “Make Music A Right”—which is incredibly inspiring to me, because imagine what our world will be like if every child played an instrument! Our entire organization, from board to staff to stakeholders, is galvanized to play a part in advancing access to music education. How do you view your board in light of the increasing calls for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in orchestras? DEI work is important and always a work in progress. We are striving for our board to reflect the communities in which we serve. Presently, our board is made up of 17 individuals with blended backgrounds and ethnicity, and all of our officers are women.
We are so excited to welcome everyone back, and invite you to join us as we celebrate our students and their endurance.
How might your orchestra’s situation differ from or be similar to the situations of orchestras elsewhere? Although Hawai‘i is unique in that we are an island archipelago, the situation of being a major arts orgaization that serves remote and rural populations is common to many orchestras. Because this makes “run-out” concerts difficult, we instead fly young musicians from our neighboring islands to Oahu for weekly rehearsals and lean on Zoom for other activities. Our distinct geography also opens opportunities for us to collaborate with orchestras in Asia and the Pacific Rim.
Coming in our next issue, we will celebrate the Senior Class of 2022!
Read the full artice at americanorchestras.org/board-room-the-view-from-the-chair/
If you’re interested in supporting Hawaii Youth Symphony visit hiyouthsymphony.org/donate.
Language is more than the mere identity of the words we verbally speak, but is the foundation of how we speak in the voice that calls to our individual selves. Language is how we express our thoughts and feelings in a way that is understood by others; and for many, that language is art. Just like language, art holds a culture and a meaning. It is an identity and a core of being–– in other words, an understanding of purpose and a sense of belonging. When language and identity are cut off, a voice and sense of being are cut off; when education turns into a place of limitation, a student’s validity and sense of abilities are cut off. One of the most important parts about schooling is not only the education that is provided, but the concept of exploring self. Social-emotional learning (SEL) talks about self-management, self-awareness, responsible decision-making, relationship skills, and social awareness. The arts have been proven to help students with the skills of understanding self, having discipline, knowing how to interact with others, and learning to find comfortability in vulnerable environments. As many schools begin to implement SEL–– or even hold those standards and expectations without the label–– students need to have a space that provides them the opportunity to work on those skills. Garnering these skills happens in various ways. Art is one of the most powerful forms of gaining these M Kutty playing with YSII as part of the community skills as it offers students a creative understanding of concerts at SALT at Our Kaka’ako their true voice and who they are–– finding their language. Each student is on a different path of finding their voice, learning their language, and having a sense of purpose in today’s society. This needs to be understood: advocating for music and the arts in education is not about creating an arts-dominant culture, but an artistically-motivated society. It is about advocating for the voice of students. When we experience the arts, it is not just the entertainment that we feel, but the connection that we form with the art, the artist, and the mind of the artist. Art is more than watercolors, a stage, and an orchestra, but a way of thinking, feeling, and expressing— all rooting back to the core of our being, our language. In the time of mask-coverings, we may have been able to speak. But to speak in our voice?
“That is the question.” - William Shakespeare
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS: Oahu Band Directors Association and Their Efforts to Create Better People Through Music Education Welcome to the inaugural column of “Community Connections” for the Hawaii Youth Symphony newsletter, where we will regularly profile inspiring friends making a positive impact in the music community.
“The OBDA was founded on this belief that we can accomplish more than if we were individuals. Our goal is to develop deep relationships with band directors in Oahu who form deep and meaningful relationships with students.”
- Andrew Ching, President of OBDA
The Oahu Band Directors Association (OBDA) emerged from fellowship–a desire to foster unity amongst band directors and advance arts education within schools. Today, this remains the organization’s driving force in creating leaders of the future. Music as it is understood by the OBDA isn’t defined by talent or natural ability. Instead, music education is an investment of the heart and in the future. As OBDA president Andrew Ching explains, “After talking to students who are struggling, music bridges that gap and can motivate them to come to school. That is what music education was for me, it gives students a place to belong, a place to be successful, and a place to make friends. Music can really be that hook.” The OBDA’s investment in the future has come full circle. Past investments giving rise to a new generation of change-makers. Andrew, a beneficiary of the OBDA’s efforts himself, works to provide access to music at Wai‘anae Intermediate School, which is a Title 1 school. His program is often the first introduction that the kids have to music education. And when students see a way, they make a way. “I truly appreciate my students and how hard they work. Through their struggles, other students benefit and learn about humanity and hardship which creates a more realistic picture of the world,” said Andrew. “It is very easy to get comfortable, but to make great students, and great people, we need them to be aware.” This summer, stay tuned for an exciting HYS + OBDA partnership: the Middle School Honor Band at our Pacific Music Institute!
Hawaii School Music Programs (as of June 2020)
Central District Aiea High School Aiea Intermediate School Aliamanu Middle School Leilehua High School Miililani High School Mililani Ike Elementary Mililani Middle School Moanalua Elementary School Moanalua High School Moanalua Middle School Radford High School Wahiawa Middle School Waialua High & Intermediate School Wheeler Middle School Hawaii District Hilo High School Hilo Intermediate School Honoka`a High & Intermediate School Kamehameha School Hawaii Kea'au Middle School Kealakehe High School Kealakehe Intermediate School Kohala High School St. Joseph High & Intermediate School Waiakea High School Waiakea Intermediate School
Honolulu District Central Middle School Dole Middle School Farrington High School Jarret Middle School Kaimuki High School Kaimuki Middle School Kaiser High School Kalakaua Middle School Kalani High School Kawananakoa Middle School McKinley High School Niu Valley Middle School Roosevelt High School Stevenson Middle School Washington Middle School Wilson Elementary School Kauai & Lanai District Kauai High School Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School Kapa`a High School Lanai High & Elementary School Leeward District District Campbell High School Ewa Makai Middle School Highlands Intermediate School Honouliuli Middle School Ilima Intermediate School Iroquouis Point Elementary
Kapolei High School Kapolei Middle School Nanakuli High & Intermediate School Pearl City High School Wai`anae High School Wai`anae Intermediate School Waiau Elementary Waipahu High School Waipahu Intermediate School Maui District Baldwin High School Emmanuel Lutheran School Iao Intermediate School Kalama Intermediate School Kamehameha Schools Maui Campus King Kekaulike High School Lahaina Intermediate School Lahainaluna High School Lokelani Intermediate School Maui High School Maui Waena Intermediate School Maui Waena Intermediate School Seabury Hall St. Anthony Junior-Senior High School Oahu Independent School Damien Memorial School Hanahauoli School Hanalani Schools Iolani School Kaimuki Christian Kamehameha Schools High Kamehameha Schools Middle Le Jardin Academy Maryknoll School (HS) Maryknoll School (MS) Mid-Pacific Institute Punahou School Sacred Hearts Academy St. Andrews Priory St. Louis School University Lab School Windward District Castle High School Kahuku High and Intermediate Kailua High School Kailua Intermediate School Kalaheo High School King Intermediate Waimanalo Intermediate School