PUHI — After a five-year dry spell, the Hawai‘i Youth Symphony is back on Kaua‘i, performing this afternoon at Kaua‘i Community College. Approximately 100 young musicians, primarily from O‘ahu but also from Neighbor Islands, make up the orchestra, considered one
PUHI — After a five-year dry spell, the Hawai‘i Youth Symphony is back on Kaua‘i, performing this afternoon at Kaua‘i Community College.
Approximately 100 young musicians, primarily from O‘ahu but also from Neighbor Islands, make up the orchestra, considered one of the finest youth symphonies in the country.
“These are kids that have been seriously studying music for at least five or six years,” HYS Executive Director Randy Wong said. “The same caliber music you would hear at a professional concert.”
The program will offer something for everyone, from classics by Johann Sebastian Bach and Pietro Mascagni, to the music of legendary Hawaiian composers Armand Russell and Neil McKay, and even some selections from “Les Miserables.”
“Whether you’re a classical music lover or just a fan of live music in general, you’ll hear something you’ll like,” Wong said.
Over the last 10 years, approximately 25 HYS students have come from Kaua‘i. This year, Victoria Aiu — a junior at Kaua‘i High School — is the sole representative of the Garden Isle. She performs this afternoon on trombone in the Youth Symphony I brass section.
Like other students from Neighbor Islands, Aiu travels to Honolulu several times each month for rehearsal. Students in the symphony average 130 hours of rehearsal time and perform approximately eight concerts per season.
“It’s great to have them in the orchestra,” Wong said of commuting off-island students like Aiu.
Youth Symphony I, HYS’ top orchestra, is conducted by Henry Miyamura, a lifelong resident of Hawai‘i who has been teaching music for more than 40 years. He has served as the HYS music director since 1984.
“He’s a living legend here in Hawai‘i,” Wong said. “Hawai‘i is small. Everybody knows this guy and to see him conduct is just something you don’t want to miss.”
This year’s “Tour to Kaua‘i” is part of HYS’ commitment to making classical music available throughout the state.
“The cost of going on tour like this is astronomical,” Wong said.
“We’re able to do it through the support of different foundations and grants.”
In addition to today’s performance at KCC, the HYS will hold two free concerts for students as part of its Listen and Learn series, which includes classical and popular orchestra music, instrument demonstrations and sing-alongs.
The Listen and Learn concerts begin at 9 and 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall.
Wong said that for places like Kaua‘i, which has no youth symphony of its own, the Listen and Learn concerts offer a one-time-only opportunity for children to hear a live symphony.
“It (also) gives our student performers the chance to give back to the communities,” Wong added.
“For a lot of kids on stage, their first experience was hearing a youth symphony perform for them.”
The Hawai‘i Youth Symphony’s performance today begins at 4 p.m. at the KCC Performing Arts Center in Puhi. Tickets cost $30 for adults and $10 for students.
For more information or to purchase tickets visit www.kauai-concert.org or call 245-7464.
Additional information about the Hawai‘i Youth Symphony visit www.
hiyouthsymphony.org.
