Newsletter (Summer 2019)

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

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Meet the Members of the Adelphi Quartet Whether sitting in a concert hall, taking a stroll on the beach, or traveling abroad, the sweet sounds of symphonic music have a special place in the hearts of people around the world.

Of the notable faculty that will be mentoring HYS students this summer, members of the Adelphi Quartet are truly an inspiration to all as they have a strong passion for community engagement and continue to share their music with underrepresented communities. As a part of this mission, Marza Wilks founded the Adelphi Quartet, a group of young and talented African American/LatinX musicians. They are music ambassadors at the National Orchestral Institute + Festival, where they teach and perform.

Summer 2019 Newsletter

HYS Congratulates Graduating Class of 2019!

Members of the Adelphi Quartet

Hawaii Youth Symphony celebrated the accomplishments of its 59 graduating seniors and bid them farewell at its annual Aloha Concert Luncheon on Sunday, May 5, 2019 at Hilton Hawaiian Village, Coral Ballroom.

Members of the Adelphi Quartet include: • Marza Merophi Wilks (Cellist): Wilks recently graduated with a masters degree from The Juilliard School where she studied with Natasha Brofsky. She has appeared appeared as a soloist with the Genesee Symphony, Cayuga Chamber Orchestra and Orchestra of the Southern Fingerlakes.

Congratulations Graduates!

The event featured performances from both Youth Symphony I and Youth Symphony II, as well as a special collaborative performance between guest artists Streetlight Cadence and YSI. The luncheon concluded with a special aloha and recognition ceremony for the program’s graduating seniors. Congratulations to our seniors and to all who joined us for this great day of music and joy!

Continured from front cover

• Julian Maddox (Violin): Maddox began studying the violin at six-years-old and received his undergraduate degree at Cleveland Institute of Music.

• Brendon Elliot (Violin): At just three-years-old, Elliott began studying the violin and made his debut as a soloist when he was 10-years-old with the Hampton University Orchestra. Currently, Elliot is a fellow at the New World Symphony Orchestra.

• Omar Shelly (Viola): Shelly has performed worldwide as a member of several international orchestral training programs.

He is currently a section violist with the Las Vegas Philharmonic and has been a member of the orchestra since 2014.

Streetlight Cadence: Jesse Shiroma, Ben Chai, Johnathon Franklin and Brian Webb

PMI Festival Orchestra to Debut at NBC Concert Hall on July 14 An exciting addition to this year’s Pacific Music Institute is the creation of the PMI Festival Orchestra.

Composed of Hawaii-based professional players and PMI faculty members, the Festival Orchestra will bring together artists from the Baltimore, Detroit, Hawaii, Kansas City, Louisville, Milwaukee, National, Pittsburgh and Seattle symphony orchestras, along with renowned musicians from Japan, NYC, and the Bay Area for an exceptional performance.

Co-directed by PMI Artistic Director Dr. John Devlin and Maestro Richard Scerbo (of NOI+F), the Festival Orchestra will push the envelope of classical music

Christian Yamada, Joshua Vierra, and Matthew Li

with provocative repertoire that reflects the melting pot of cultures in Hawaii. One such work will be “Kisetsu,” a work by the living Japanese composer Somei Satoh. Known for his compositions meshing gagaku (Japanese classical music from the Imperial Court) with Western romanticism, Satoh’s music is rarely performed in Hawaii.

Also on the concert will be PMI’s OLA Symphony Orchestra, and accompanying Aloha International Piano Competition winner Adrian King, a hybrid side-by-side orchestra comprised of teaching fellows and students.

Tickets for the PMI Festival Orchestra concert are on sale now sale at the Blaisdell Box Office.

Valentina Diaz-Paez, Mia Caliri, Bao Nguyen, Alizah Chao and Zoe Oda

Mika Ishii, Adrian Tran and Jinny Wang Darius Soo Hoo, with former teacher, Teresa Skinner.

Alexa Wong, Chris Kwock, Mira Hu, Chloe McCreery and Eugene Son

Yukiko Hughes, Sherry Tanaka, Koko Tamai and Chanelle Junio Continued on back page

President’s Message – Randy Wong In line with our mission to help youth develop to their fullest potential through orchestral music, Hawaii Youth Symphony is proud to invest in Hawaii’s young talent and nurture their leadership and citizenship capabilities. From our newly formed Student Board, to the upcoming Pacific Music Institute, HYS students have a myriad of opportunities to develop themselves as artists, citizens, and leaders.

The value of music education is undeniable, and proffers numerous benefits for Hawaii’s youth. One of the benefits that we take pride in here at HYS is having the ability to create an environment where young people can celebrate unity in diversity. In addition to our students hailing from all corners of the Hawaiian Islands, our HYS ohana is made of staff, faculty, volunteers, music teachers, and supporters that come from all walks of life. Through music, we are unified by the joy we share in doing what we love.

Through musical learning, students develop a wide variety of citizenship and leadership skills such as patience, goal-setting, practice, and the ability to collaborate well as a team. The combination of these skills, in the context of passionate music making, is what puts HYS students head and shoulders above their peers. Leadership is a critical and timeless practice that requires constant grooming and training, not unlike the act of making music, and HYS is dedicated to instilling this practice in every one of our students.

I am continually inspired by the ways that our students apply themselves, in and beyond their music making at HYS. The Class of 2019 is our strongest yet, and their legacy for community service will continue to thrive with our upcoming classes. Grooming the young leaders of tomorrow is at the heart of our work this year, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for Hawaii’s music community!

My sincere thanks to all of you who support HYS and encourage our students to strive for the very best!

Music in the Clubhouse Partnership with Boys & Girls Club in Nanakuli In proud partnership with the Boys & Girls Club in Nanakuli, Hawaii Youth Symphony will initiate a beginning violin class as part of the organization’s Music In The Clubhouse program. The violin class will supplement an entry-level Soundwavez music class already provided by the Boys & Girls Club. HYS will provide violins, sheet music, supplies, group instruction, and private lessons in order to make music accessible to all who have a desire Talia Turnbull, HYS to learn.

Academy Coordinator “Everyone should have an opportunity to be exposed to music,” said Kau’i Mead, Music Director of Boys & Girls Club’s Nanakuli Clubhouse. “Encouragement and a safe place to learn are key to developing any new skill, and we are so grateful that HYS is a part of helping us share music with our Clubhouse students.”

The program is slated to start in September. For more information, visit hiyouthsymphony.org/mitch

Idagio Partnership Hawaii Youth Symphony has become the official Pacific launch partner of IDAGIO, the leading streaming service for classical music. All HYS faculty and over 600 HYS students will now be able to access a worldwide network of renowned musicians, orchestras, labels and festivals, and exclusive recordings and playlists to assist students in their practice routines and personal musical development. This new partnership will open new doorways that extend beyond the rehearsal room.

For more information on IDAGIO, please visit please visit idag.io/hys.

New Faces at HYS Hawaii Youth Symphony is delighted to introduce the following new faces for our 2019 Pacific Music Institute.

Jason Chin, General Manager Jason Chin is the new General Manager for this summer’s Pacific Music Institute (PMI). As a talented musician and experienced leader, Chin will be a big asset to HYS and a great resource to the students. In addition to his work with HYS, Chin currently works as the Technology Coordinator at Ma’ema’e Elementary School, provides consultation for various band programs on Oahu and teaches private lessons for saxophone students.

Col. J. Fettig, Guest Conductor of Symphonic Band Colonel Fettig is the Director of the “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band in Washington D.C., and has been at the helm of “The President’s Own” since 2014. As Director, Col. Fettig is the music adviser to the White House and regularly conducts the Marine Band and Marine Chamber Orchestra at the Executive Mansion and at all Presidential Inaugurations. He also serves as music director of Washington, D.C.’s historic Gridiron Club, a position held by every Marine Band Director since John Philip Sousa.

New HYS Board Members HYS welcomes the following new members to our board of directors as they share what the organization means to them.

Mary Ellen Williams, Registrar at St. Andrews Priory and Current HYS Parent

HYS Student Board Youth Symphony I students banded together earlier this season out of a desire to participate in community service, increase social engagement, and bring additional resources to their HYS experience. Horn player and Punahou senior Grace Kim led the initiative, which has resulted in our first-ever Student Board.

Thanks to the Student Board, chamber ensembles have volunteered public performances at the Hawaii State Art Museum, Hawaii State Capitol, Hawaii Symphony Orchestra, for the Honolulu Jaycees, and Boys Grace Kim, HYS Horn Player & Girls Club Nanakuli.

The Student Board also organized a college admissions talk for 10th and 11th graders, with guests from the UH Manoa Music Department. “We’re here for the students, and the Student Board has acted as a voice for student interest. Students empower each other to grow not only as musicians, but as people of our community. I look forward to seeing how this program will continue to grow,” said Aris Doike, Operations Manager.

HYS provides a significant community service by teaching children and teens not only to read music and play an instrument, but also social/organizational skills and self-discipline.”

Collin Hoo, Associate at Trinity Investments

Grant Received from Recording Academy The Recording Academy, Pacific Northwest Chapter, recently awarded Hawaii Youth Symphony with a $2,000 grant in support of our programs.

Inspired by HYS’ vision of making music a right, not a privilege, the grant will be utilized to help us further serve children of all backgrounds.

The Pacific Northwest Chapter reflects the independent and creative spirit of this region’s music makers. Regional programs and events focused on education, professional networking and advocacy foster an environment of creative expression which has defined the Pacific Northwest as the place to look for the next reinvention of music.

“The Recording Academy strives to advance artistic and technical excellence and act as an advocate on behalf of music and its makers throughout the region,” said Michael Compton, executive director of the Pacific Northwest Chapter. “We are pleased to support Hawaii Youth Symphony and their vision to make music accessible to all.”

Board of Directors

"HYS is an opportunity and platform to make music accessible to youth all across Hawaii.”

Jake Shimabukuro “Hawaii Youth Symphony is our key to a brighter future. We won’t die without music, but life is so much better when we pretend we will.”

Sherry Tanaka, Koko Tamai, Chanelle Junio, Grace Kim and Caitlyn Kadooka

Chair: Richard K. Ing Vice Chair: Patti Look Secretary: Sharon R. Himeno Treasurer: Mary Ellen Williams Directors: Alan Arizumi, Liza Wo Davis, Gladys Hirano, Collin Hoo, Martin Hsia, Roy King, Jr., Tina Lau, Michael Onofrietti, Erica Mau Orejel, Geoffrey S. Sewell, Jake Shimabukuro, Jean Tsukamoto