Hawaii Youth Symphony


Hawaii Youth Symphony is a statewide youth orchestra in Hawaii. Students come from many different Hawaiian islands and the orchestra consists of hundreds of students. The Hawaii Youth Symphony has been training students since 1964 and is one of the largest and oldest youth symphonies in the country.

Programs

The Hawaii Youth Symphony, is Divided into four sections, the Hawaii Youth Symphony Academy, String Program, Symphony Program, and Summer Program.
The Academy consists of Music4Kids, a general music class held on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Boy's & Girls Club. Students in this class are members of the Boy's & Girls Club and are seven to nine years old. The Boy's & Girl's Club Band is a beginning band class with members being 10 to 18 years old.
Summer String Program is a daily five-week session for beginners and intermediate players. For advanced and high school musicians, Pacific Music Institute is a one-week program offered by the Symphony Program.
ProgramGroupAverage Years of ExperienceRequired AuditionMonths of RehearsalDay of RehearsalPlace of RehearsalTotal Hours of Rehearsal a SeasonNumber of Concerts a seasonAverage number of pieces a season
StringBeginning String Ensemble
No Experience requiredNoSeptember–MaySaturdayBoy's & Girls Club352-
StringIntermediate String Ensemble
1NoSeptember–MaySaturdayBoy's & Girls Club352-
StringConcert String Orchestra
2YesSeptember–MaySaturdayBoy's & Girls Club6525
StringString Orchestra Ensemble
2YesSeptember–MaySaturdayBoy's & Girls Club3525
SymphonyConcert Orchestra
2-4Yeslate August–AprilSundayKaimuki Middle School9668-10
SymphonyYouth Symphony II
3-5Yeslate August–AprilSundayUniversity Laboratory School110710-14
SymphonyYouth Symphony I
4+YesAugust–MaySundayUniversity of Hawaii Music Department130825

All groups in the Symphony Program have rehearsals that consist of wind, percussion, and string sectionals and a full orchestra rehearsal. Groups in the Symphony program attend two half-day workshops a season which include professional instructions for each section, separate string and wind, brass, and percussion instructions and a full orchestra rehearsal.

Conductors and teachers

Students auditioning for Youth Symphony I must be 13 years old by January 1 and in high school. Students auditioning for Youth Symphony II must be 12 years old by January 1 and 8 grade. Students auditioning for Concert Orchestra must be 10 by January 1 and 6 grade. Students auditioning for Concert String Orchestra and String Orchestra Ensemble must be eight years old by August 1 and in the third grade. Students in Intermediate string Orchestra and Beginning String Orchestra do not have to audition but must be 8 years old by August first and in the third grade. Students in the Boys & Girls Club Band must be a member and are 10–18 years of age. Students in Music4Kids must be 7–9 years of age.

Awards

During its 50th year anniversary the Hawaii Youth Symphony received the Na Hoku Hanohano Award for its “He Makana O Na Mele” concert album.