Spring 2022 Newsletter

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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

Hawaii Youth Symphony Association 1110 University Avenue, Suite 200 Honolulu, Hawaii 96826-1598

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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.

Follow us on social media @hiyouthsymphony

Have an idea for a story, or other comments? Send a note to communityfeedback@hiyouthsymphony.org. Mahalo!

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)


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Spring 2022 Newsletter by Hawaii Youth Symphony - Issuu