HYS Of Note Newsletter: November 2016

Hawaii Youth Symphony

OF NOTE November 2016

HYS Students Gain National Exposure on From the Top

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PR’s From the Top with Host Christopher O’Riley, the popular show featuring young musicians, will give HYS students and other young, local musicians opportunities to showcase their talent to a national audience.

From the Top is broadcast on more than 220 stations nationwide to nearly 700,000 listeners. Now in its 15th year, From the Top’s live recordings reach more than 20,000 live audience members of all ages across the United States each year.

This marks From the Top’s fifth visit to the islands. A total of seven shows have been recorded on Oahu, Maui, and Hawaii Island over the past 12 years.

“This will be a special, inspiring opportunity for Hawaii’s young musicians,” said Randy Wong, HYS Executive Director. “Christopher O’Riley is a concert pianist and knows how to bring out the best in youth. From the Top acknowledges their passion and dedication, and provides a platform to be recognized before a national audience.

The program gives young musicians the kind of attention that is usually only given to young athletes.”

Live Concert Recordings

There will be two live concert recordings in Hawaii and will be broadcast in January 2017.

4U Ukulele Quartet will be performing for the live recording of From the Top at the Blaisdell Concert Hall on Friday, December 2.

The first live recording will be held at the William Charles Lunalilo Center on the campus of Kamehameha Schools Hawaii in Kea‘au on Wednesday, November 30, at 7 pm.

Honolulu resident William Suh, a 17-year-old cellist formerly with YSI, who was the winner of the 2016 Kamuela Philharmonic Orchestra Concerto Competition.

The second will be at the Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall, Honolulu, on Friday, December 2, at 8 pm.

Maria Sanderson, 17, a violinist from Morgantown, Indiana, and the 2016 Junior Division Sphinx Competition winner, and Jairus Rhoades, 12, from Mililani, the second prize winner of the 2016 Aloha Piano Competition, will also perform.

Tickets and VIP packages, which include preferred seating, a preshow reception, and parking at the Honolulu Club, are available from Hawai‘i Public Radio.

November 30th Show on Hawaii Island

The November 30 show will feature

The November 30 show will also feature young singers from the (continued on page 3)

2 . Hawaii Youth Symphony

OF NOTE

November 2016

Randy Wong:

One of Nine Orchestra Administrators Selected for League of American Orchestras Emerging Leaders Program Board of Directors

The program, which identifies and develops high-potential leaders, along with its previous iteration, the Orchestra Management Fellowship Program, has advanced the development of more than 180 alumni.

President Richard K. Ing Vice Presidents Roy E. King, Jr. Malcolm Lau Tina Lau Les Murata Michael Onofrietti Secretary Patti Look Treasurer Jean Tsukamoto Directors Alan Arizumi Sharon R. Himeno Gladys Hirano Nathan Hokama Martin Hsia Dan Momohara Alan Okami Joseph Rothstein, Ph.D Geoffrey Sewell, M.D. Marjorie Tanoue Chris Yuen

HYS Staff Executive Director Randy Wong Music Director Henry Miyamura Finance Manager Carol Tsang Programs Manager Ann Doike Programs Associate Janet Morita

Richard Ing

Randy Wong

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YS Executive Director Randy Wong is one of nine orchestra administrators that was selected nationwide to participate in the League of American Orchestras’ Emerging Leaders Program.

Mentoring from Top Leaders The 10-month leadership program offers mentoring from top leaders in the field, one-on-one coaching, in-depth seminars, and peer network-building opportunities, all of which will ultimately benefit Hawaii Youth Symphony and its conductors and students.

Randy is the only participant representing an independent youth symphony organization.

“We’re excited that Hawaii Youth Symphony will be represented in this exclusive program,” said Richard Ing, Hawaii Youth Symphony board president. “Opportunities abound for those educated through music, and it’s fitting that Randy—himself an alumnus of HYS—be recognized by the League of American Orchestras as an emerging leader.”

Selected Through a Competitive Application Process The participants were selected through a competitive application process and were chosen based on their potential to make significant contributions to their orchestras and to the field.

The leaders will participate in in-person and virtual seminars and have the opportunity to learn from top leaders in the field. Randy’s first Emerging Leaders Program in-person seminar was held in New York City from September 28 to 30, 2016. The topics covered included business models, board structures, and governance.

The other participants represent the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Vermont, Lake Forest, and Arkansas symphony orchestras.

The program culminates with a joint presentation by the participants at the League of American Orchestras’ 2017 National Conference in Detroit.

Congratulations, Randy!

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OF NOTE

November 2016

HYS Students Gain National Exposure on From the Top (continued from page 1)

Kamehameha Schools Hawai‘i Hō’ike A Ha’i, performing an excerpt from their original Hawaiian language opera, titled “Hā‘upu,” which they recently performed at Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland.

December 2 Show in Honolulu

The December 2 show at the Blaisdell Concert Hall will feature

performances by YSI conducted by Maestro Henry Miyamura. Also performing that evening will be the 4U Ukulele Quartet, an awardwinning ensemble composed of Taiga Benito, 18; Given Yagi, 18; and Chance Yagi, 16; all of whom are YSI students, along with Ryan Nakagawa, 15.

The 2016 Junior Menuhin Competition winner Yesong Sophie Lee, a 12-year-old violinist from Seattle,

Washington; Javier MoralesMartinez, a15-year-old clarinetist from Los Angeles, California; and Kevin Song, a 13-year-old cellist from Irvine, California, will also perform on December 2.

From the Top’s YouTube channel offers videos and behind-the-scenes insights.

From the Top

HYS Alumni Performers The following are HYS alumni who have performed in past From the Top recordings: Aris Doike cello Asia Doike violin Dayna Furusawa cello Evan Lin piano Ren Martin-Doike violin

presented by Hawaiʻi Public Radio

Friday, December 2 8:00pm Blaisdell Concert Hall featuring the Hawaii Youth Symphony

Zoë Martin-Doike violin Yohsuke Miyamoto piano Tyler Ramos piano Kathryn Schulmeister bass

Ticket information at

HawaiiPublicRadio.org Discounts for HYS ʻohana & groups.

VIP packages available with preshow reception & free parking.

“Young musicians who will

4 . Hawaii Youth Symphony

OF NOTE

Na Mele Concert on November 20 He Makana O Na Mele: The Gift of Music, featuring Youth Symphony I and guest artists Kalapana, will be presented by ALTRES, Inc., our title sponsor, at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Coral Ballroom, on Sunday, November 20.

Kalapana became a popular band during the Hawaiian music renaissance in the 1970s, and more than 30 years later, their music remains island classics in contemporary Hawaiian music. For table sponsorships or seats, call HYS at (808) 941-9706.

Fun Ways to Support HYS

Na Mele is HYS’s only fundraiser of the year. This year, HYS is offering new, fun ways to support HYS. You and your guests will have the opportunity to participate in a Love Notes drawing to benefit HYS programs; Good Vines for Good Vibes to receive bottles of wine for a donation; and an activity called Help HYS Hit the High Notes.

Participate in an Online Auction Through Your Cell Phone This year, HYS is introducing an online auction, with assistance from 501 Auctions. You can bid for silent auction items through your cell phone without the need to download any app. Simply register at https://www.501auctions.com/ hawaiiyouthsymphonynamele/ register to make your check-in and check-out process quick and easy.

You do not have to wait until the

November 2016

From the Top Takes it Over the Top In conjunction with its national tour, the From the Top team will offer ways to extend learning beyond the concert hall.

From the Top’s Education & Outreach department offers leadership training to young artists and conducts classroom and community programs.

night of the concert to view the silent auction items. Online bidding begins November 10.

How Does It Work?

After you register for the auction, you will receive a text message and email with your personal link to browse silent auction items by categories and place bids. You will also receive a text notification and email if you have been outbid. The bidding process ends before the concert starts at 7 p.m. At the end of the event, if you have won an item, you will receive an email and text notification alerting you of the items you have won.

Even if you cannot attend the Na Mele concert, you can still participate in the silent auction online or make a cash donation! The link to the silent auction site is also public, so feel free to forward to friends and family so that they, too, can get started early this year on their Christmas shopping!

If you don’t have a cell phone, volunteers at the event will help you place your bids. For other questions, contact Carol Tsang, HYS Finance Manager, at carol@hiyouthsymphony.org.

While they are in Hawaii, the From the Top team will be work closely with YSI and YSII students to take HYS’s Listen & Learn Concerts to an exciting, new level by enhancing the music experiences of Hawaii’s youth and deepening their connection to music.

Knowing that music has the power to empower, inspire, and create change, the Listen & Learn concerts scheduled in early December will be turned into 60-minute interactive concerts, full of fun, music, and discovery.

Participating students will be paired randomly with a partner or two in their orchestra to record a short video. The groups will have different options for themes: a memorable or powerful musical experience; a story of a funny or embarrassing experience in or out of music; what it means to play in an orchestra; or what it means to you to be a musician.

HYS students will also have the opportunity to adopt and implement a new project of their own with ongoing support of the From the Top team.

5 . Hawaii Youth Symphony

Welcome New Board Member Sharon R. Himeno, an attorney with the law firm Price Okamoto Himeno & Lum, is the newest HYS board member.

Sharon has been with the firm since 1998 and focuses on civil litigation, including premises liability, real estate and commercial disputes, and personal injury.

Prior to forming the law firm, she had been with Goodsill, Anderson, Quinn and Stifel, concentrating in insurance defense litigation that involved personal injury, commercial, construction, and business matters. She joined that firm after graduating from law school.

Sharon was born in Honolulu, graduated cum laude from Stanford University in 1978, and the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, in 1981.

She is a past President of Hawaii State Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division. Sharon has devoted extensive time serving in legal and community activities, including serving as a board member of the State Department of Land and Natural Resources; a commissioner with State Land Use Commission; and other organizations.

We are glad to have her on the HYS board of directors!

OF NOTE

November 2016

HYS Alumni Named Presidential Scholars

Joseph Fujinami

Michael Chen

Congratulations to three HYS alumni, who were selected for the 52nd class of U.S. Presidential Scholars. They were 160 scholars selected from among 4,700 candidates.

Joseph Fujinami is part of the Presidential Scholars program’s inaugural group of 20 Career and Technical Education (CTE) students. Joseph was a Mililani High School class of 2016 Valedictorian. Joseph participated in HYS for 10 years and played alongside world-renowned violinist Midori. He is attending the Illinois Institute of Technology, pursuing a degree in architecture. Joseph studied with Nikki Routman Ebisu.

Eileen Liu

Michael Chen began in HYS at the Pacific Music Institute and Concert Orchestra, working his way up to YSI as co-principal clarinet. He was in HYS for six years and studied privately with Lynne Nakaura. He is now attending Harvard University.

Eileen Liu studied violin with Chad Uyehara and was a member of the Punahou Symphony Orchestra and chamber music program. She started in HYS in Intermediate String Ensemble and Summer Strings. She is now attending the University of California-Berkeley.

Welcome to Our New Program Assistant Melody Wan, a freelance illustrator with a background in music therapy and mental health counseling, is HYS’s new Program Assistant. She received a bachelor of fine arts degree from

Massachusetts College of Art and Design and a master of arts degree from Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Melody started playing the violin at age 6 and continued to play in local orchestras. She also enjoys playing guitar and ‘ukulele, dancing, martial arts, and cooking.

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Hawaii Youth Symphony Association 1110 University Avenue, Suite 200 Honolulu, Hawaii 96826-1598 Phone: Website: Facebook: Twitter & IG:

808.941.9706 HiYouthSymphony.org HawaiiYouthSymphony @HiYouthSymphony

Our Mission: The Hawaii Youth Symphony advances critical and positive links between music study, academic achievement, and social emotional development with programs that service youth through orchestral music education, performance opportunities, and community engagement.

Our Vision: HYS envisions a Hawaii

where every young person can experience the timeless value of music, learn to play a musical instrument, or otherwise embrace a lifelong appreciation for musical learning.

Mahalo to Our Generous Supporters Thank you to all of our generous donors who participated in our “Noteworthy Challenge!” We raised more than $18,000, qualifying HYS to receive $15,000 in matching funds from the George Mason Fund of the Hawaii Community Foundation. We appreciate everyone’s thoughtfulness. We also would like to thank those who used our new online donation program.

Alaska Airlines in Hawaii, is an HYS alumnus. He was a Youth

Mark Your Calendar for Events in Our New 52nd Season!

Monday - Wednesday, Dec. 5 - 7, 2016 9:30 am & 11 am

Listen & Learn Concerts at the Blaisdell Concert Hall, featuring YSI, YSII and Concert Orchestra

Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016 2 pm HYS also recently received a generous grant of $5,000 from the Alaska Airlines Foundation.

Daniel Chun, Regional Manager Sales & Community Marketing at

Symphony II principal trumpeter from Mililiani High School.

Academy Winter Concert at Kaimuki High School Auditorium

Sunday, Feb. 12, 2017 4 pm

Concert Orchestra Community Concert at Windward Mall

Sunday, Feb. 21, 2017 9:30 am & 11 am

Listen & Learn Concert with YSI at Kamehameha Schools Hawaii

Saturday, March 4, 2017 5:30 pm YSII Community Concert with Hawaii Youth Opera Chorus at Kawaiahao Church