Learn Perform Grow

W here Hawai i ’s youth ma ke except ional mu sic together

Hawaii Youth Symphony

Hawaii Youth Symphony

Hawaii Youth Symphony

Hawaii Youth Symphony Hawaii Youth Symphony

Every year, the Hawaii Youth Symphony is faced with the exhilarating challenges of difficult music

in many different styles: music from some of the greatest classical masterpieces to pops, jazz and Hawaiian. To achieve this challenging task, the rehearsal process requires discipline, perseverance, patience and hard work. These all culminate in a performance where intellect and emotion meet and create a dynamic synergy. Helping students generate this synergy and achieve musical excellence is my passion. It’s demanding for the youth, but we have fun. After each performance, I don’t have to tell them that they played well. They know it, because they felt it.

Henry MiyamuraHYS Music Director and

Conductor of YSI

RealizingPotentialThe Hawaii Youth Symphony, one of the largest,

oldest and finest youth symphonies in the country, is Hawaii’s only statewide youth orchestra program. Since 1964, HYS has trained young people, ages 8-18, to develop and showcase their musical skills. It serves more than 600 students, from 100 schools on different islands, in two primary programs: - Academy: Four string orchestras, a winds

program, a general music program and a Summer Strings program.

- Symphony Program: Three full symphony orchestras, a chamber music program and a summer intensive music program.

HYS offers programming for the absolute beginner to the most accomplished young musicians.

HYS produces an average of 21 concerts per year, including eight free Listen & Learn educational concerts for nearly 10,000 school children throughout Hawaii.

Offering a robust financial assistance program, HYS ensures its programs are accessible to any interested student regardless of financial condition, including students living on neighbor islands who receive travel subsidies to participate.

Our COre Values • Lifelong Learning • Community Service • Musical Excellence • A Future for Music

Our VisiOnHYS envisions a Hawaii where every young person can experience the timeless value of music, and any interested student can learn to play a musical instrument.

Music, I feel, always wants to tell a story. I started composing in seventh grade, and I have found that anything can inspire me–the sounds of birds, of cars.

In pursuing music, I try to do the very best I can, and HYS allowed me that path to a better future. Mr. Miyamura tells you to always shoot for above and beyond what everybody expects, to strive for excellence and nothing less. With music, the possibilities are endless.

Michael Foumai Violinist & Composer

HYS ’05

PursuingPassion

mOre abOut Our prOgramsHYS conducts two outreach programs during the summer: Summer Strings for beginning students and the Pacific Music Institute (PMI), a music immersion program for middle and high school students from the state of Hawaii, the mainland and the Asia/Pacific region.

In addition, HYS partners with the Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii to provide more early learning music education opportunities for children through free, easily accessible classes.

Education and concert performance are key elements of HYS programs. Through collaborations with artists, musicians, composers and entertainers, HYS offers students unique opportunities to perform in professionally produced concerts with acclaimed partners and musical role models.

Each season, HYS helps our children gain a greater level of musical appreciation

and technical skills. HYS’ high expectations encourage them to grow in discipline. They hold themselves accountable to the orchestra and conductor, and always work hard to improve. Lance and I are so grateful to HYS for partnering with us in the education of our children. HYS’ values complement our efforts to instill in them a desire to give their all and become their

best in order to help and bless others.

Melanie Uchida

HYS Parent

BeneFits oF MUsic edUcationStudies show that music education contributes to a child’s overall learning and development. Music students often score higher than their non-musical counterparts on math, reading and writing tests as well as the SAT.

HYS students learn responsibility, organization and time-management skills through attending weekly rehearsals and participating in multiple performances throughout the year. HYS holds students to a high standard of professionalism and, as a result, they gain discipline, poise and self-confidence. The stimulating learning environment fosters teamwork, cooperation and communication.

DevelopingSkilland Character

for a Learning

Lifetime

I could never be thankful enough for all HYS has done for me. The past nine years have shown me

I can reach my goals, and I’ve also had a lot of fun. My friends and I will always remember the things our conductors said, and HYS provided a great opportunity for us to learn so much.

Jessica choiHYS ‘08

HYS helped to instill in me a love of music that I’ve carried with me to this day. Whether it was

playing the cello in high school or singing in the men’s Glee Club in college, music has always been very important in my life. Because of these experiences, I have a greater appreciation of the fine arts beyond music. It is an appreciation that I try to share with my children, who I hope will one day have the kind of experience that I had with HYS.

tilden osako, M.d.Nephrologist

HYS ’87

Growing up, all of my favorite times revolved around HYS. Now, on the mainland, I play

professionally and run a marketing and design firm. Whether I’m designing graphics or performing music, I apply the principles I learned in HYS– combining beauty and intent, creating textures and colors in a style that’s my own.

Leslie tagordaGraphic Designer & Musician

HYS ’92

Music is integral to a child’s development intellectually, emotionally and spiritually.

HYS is helping students from diverse backgrounds realize their potential. I see this in the quality of their performances. I leave each concert with a smile. The world’s going to be all right because of these youth. I support HYS because I believe in being a catalyst. HYS has the programs and staff to accomplish so much, and I want to help

accelerate their progress.

Gerald M.K. PangHYS Donor

BuildingStrongerCommunities

WHy sUPPort Hys?Hawaii Youth Symphony needs your help to continue to serve our community and provide the highest quality music education to Hawaii’s youth. Since 1964, we’ve been committed to making orchestral music education affordable and accessible to all students, regardless of their financial condition. We ask participants for fees that cover only a fraction of the cost of putting them through the program. We also offer financial aid to any qualified student and travel assistance for students living on the neighbor islands.

Each year, HYS orchestras perform an average of 21 concerts statewide–all are open to the public and half are free of charge, including educational Listen & Learn concerts attended by nearly 10,000 school children each year. Our chamber groups perform in retirement homes, hospitals and other community facilities, reaching people who

ordinarily may have difficulty accessing quality live music. Such activities instill in the youth civic responsibility and the value of service-learning.

Please consider becoming a part of the HYS family and show your support for Hawaii’s talented young musicians.

Hawaii Youth SymphonyOur MISSION

The Hawaii Youth Symphony advances the critical

links among music study, academic achievement

and positive growth and development by

creating programs for young people to experience

the intrinsic value of music through orchestral

music education, performance opportunities with

high standards and community service projects.

w w w. h i youth symphony.org1110 Univers i t y Avenue, Suite 200 • Honolulu, HI 96826

Phone 808.941.9706 • Fax 808.941.4995Emai l admin@ h i youth symphony.org

HYS is a 501(c) (3) nonprof i t organizat ion which re l ies on suppor t f rom the communit y.