The Hawaii Youth Symphony Performs for Kauai

This past Monday (2/10/13), I was fortunate enough to be a chaperon for the Chiefess Kamakahele Middle School Band classes for their field trip to see the Hawaii Youth Symphony's concert here on Kauai. When Ms. Sarah Tochiki, music director of the CKMS band classes, asked for volunteers, I gladly signed up.

I was super excited to have the chance to see a live orchestra in concert. It's been a while since I've been to one, especially from the audience's side of the stage. I was especially excited for the band kids to see a fine music ensemble like the Hawaii Youth Symphony performing the beautiful music that they, the CKMS kids, had the potential to create.

Let me tell you from experience, that as a young musician, it's really tough to imagine your musical potential without seeing first hand musical instruments being played beautifully and artistically, especially by those who are the same age as you. This was going to be a great thing for the kids to see. The other parents chaperoning with me felt the same as well.



As we got to the Convention Hall, we joined the other attending schools ranging from elementary to high school in finding our seats and the first thing we saw was the orchestra tuning their instruments and warming up. I noticed the amazement in the kids' eyes seeing the size of the HYS and how crisp and sharp they looked, not to mention the initial sounds that the orchestra were producing.

After everyone was settled and a quick greeting and introduction, Conductor Henry Miyamura came out and explained to us what the Hawaii Youth Symphony program is all about. He explained that the Hawaii Youth Symphony is a program for young musicians to learn and develop their music potential and that its students come from all over Hawaii to participate. We even had a Kauai High student who made it into this year's HYS orchestra!

And throughout the performance, that is what I had to keep reminding myself. That these musicians were all, about High School age and under. Some of these student perform almost, if not, at the same level as world class musicians. We truly do have some real natural talent here in Hawaii!

This following video is just a small taste of the concert taken off of my iPhone. (sorry for the slight shakiness and visual quality.) Next time I'll remember to bring a real camera.

Throughout the performance, Conductor Miyamura also had each section of the orchestra show and demonstrate their instruments. It was really neat seeing the younger kids ooh and ahh at all the different shapes, sizes, sounds, and shininess of all the instruments. Hopefully this will inspire them and the other kids to have an interest and take up music or the other performance arts.

Talking with some of the CKMS students after the concert, they were even more excited to be in band and wanted to learn how to play their instruments like how the HYS played theirs. This is what I think we need more of in our communities. Programs like these that inspires, teach and develop kids to meet their full potential and become more well rounded people as studies have shown.

Unfortunately, the Music and the Arts programs are drastically being reduced each year. I believe that these programs are vital parts of our children's education and need to be supported. If you can, please reach out to your local Band, Choir or Arts teacher and see how you can give your support. I guarantee that your and your communities kids will appreciate it!

You can also check out the links I've provided.

Mahalo!


Links:

The Hawaii Youth Symphony
Hawaii Symphony Orchestra
The Larry L. McIntosh Music Scholarship Foundation
NAMM Foundation
The Foundation for Music Education
Pitch Perfect
Science Daily

ORCHESTRA & BAND INSTRUMENTS