Making music is a right, not a privilege
HYS Welcomes Dr. John Devlin As New Music Director
In a nationwide search that attracted 80 qualified candidates, the Hawaii Youth Symphony Board of Directors announced the selection of Dr. John Devlin as the organization’s next music director. He will also serve as artistic director of the Pacific Music Institute, the Hawaii Youth Symphony’s popular summer program.
Dr. Devlin began his new role as music director on June 1 and brings extensive experience to this position. He most recently served as the cover conductor for the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, D.C., as well as assistant conductor of the Princeton Symphony
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Hawaii Youth Symphony congratulates Carol Tsang on her recent promotion from Finance Manager to Finance Director. Performing music in youth orchestras has played an important role in Carol’s life from an early age, and to this day, music remains her passion. Carol received her Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from Cornell University, and her Master’s degree in accounting from Vanderbilt University. She is a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Hawaii and worked as an auditor at Deloitte & Touche.
Orchestra. He was previously the music director of two youth orchestra organizations, including the Youth Orchestras of Prince William and the McLean Youth Orchestra in Virginia.
In addition to serving on the board of directors of the Conductors Guild, Devlin is also a member of the College Orchestra Directors Association and the League of American Orchestras. He received his master’s and doctoral degrees in orchestral conducting from the University of Maryland School of Music and his bachelor’s degree from Emory University.
Music Matters
General donations to the HYS Annual Fund are extremely important to helping HYS close the gap between registration/ tuition fees and actual operational costs. Please visit our website for more information on how to help: hiyouthsymphony.org/donate Mahalo for the continued support!
President’s Message –Randy Wong
It's an honor to serve Hawaii Youth Symphony, working with Board Chairman Richard Ing and our dedicated board, faculty, and staff on behalf of this outstanding organization. I deeply appreciate all the kind words and support I’ve received upon being named president — a role that means so much to me both personally and professionally.
I strongly believe in the value of mentorship and the incredible impact it can have on a student’s journey. I experienced such a support system as a young musician with the Youth Symphony. My mentors and HYS ohana helped me to grow not only musically, but throughout all aspects of my life.
The goals of the Hawaii Youth Symphony have always been to encourage Hawaii’s youth to achieve their fullest potential and encourage young people everywhere to experience the joy that comes from learning and appreciating music. In continuing this legacy of excellence, HYS will be exploring new ways to further serve our local communities, attract and inspire students from around the globe, and widen our channels to make music education accessible and relatable to all.
New Vision
Hawaii Youth Symphony has announced an enhanced vision for the organization, building upon its tradition of helping children develop their fullest potential through orchestral music for more than 50 years.
A core principle of this vision is that making music is a right, not a privilege. HYS is creating more avenues to empower students everywhere with the joy, skills, and character building that can stem from learning and appreciating music. In addition to HYS’ acclaimed existing programs, new initiatives will include:
• Neighbor Island Programs, supporting and complementing existing musical communities.
• Rural and Under-Resourced Community Programs, identifying and serving communities in need of music education opportunities.
• Artistic Expansion Program, designed to attract more students locally and abroad.
Fresh Take
HYS has unveiled a stunning new logo as well as a fresh take on the organization’s website. The heart of the new logo is an eye-catching, stylized version of the classic conductor pattern. Set in the brilliant colors of a Hawaiian rainbow, the logo channels the warmth of the Aloha Spirit, the youth and vitality of the HYS brand, and the joy that music brings to children’s lives. Check out the new look and latest updates by visiting hiyouthsymphony.org/vision.
Aloha Concert
Hawaii Youth Symphony said "mahalo" to the program's 46 graduating seniors with a special luncheon and recognition ceremony at the Hilton Hawaiian Village on Sunday, May 6, 2018.
It is an exciting time for the Youth Symphony, and I hope you’ll enjoy our new newsletter and the latest updates. Mahalo nui loa!
The luncheon celebrated its most recent graduates with a day of music, featuring performances from both the Youth Symphony I and Youth Symphony II students.
Molokai Strings
In partnership with Kaunakakai Elementary School teacher and bassist, Bob Underwood, Hawaii Youth Symphony will teach Molokai students fundamental techniques of string instruments, general musicianship skills and opportunities to rehearse as an orchestra at its upcoming string workshop held at the school on June 23 and June 24.
As part of the workshop, Molokai students will receive instruction and private lessons from some of the Hawaii Youth Symphony’s distinguished coaches, including Dr. Helen Liu (violin) and Colin Belisle (viola), both of the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra; the Galliard String Quartet; and artist-faculty of the Youth Symphony’s upcoming summer program, the Pacific Music Institute.
Summer Programs
School is out, yet the joy of music education continues through Hawaii Youth Symphony’s 2018 Pacific Music Institute — providing fun and enriching opportunities for students at intermediate and advanced skill levels.
During this summer’s PMI, the Hawaii Youth Symphony will be launching the following new programs:
• Solo & String Quartet (SSQ) Program (Grades 6 – 12): The Solo & String Quartet Program is open to students playing orchestral string instruments (violin, viola, and cello) who wish to learn the fundamentals of performing as part of a chamber ensemble. Students will receive individualized attention from inspiring top-caliber Mainland and local faculty as well as other renowned artists.
• Junior Strings (Grades 6 – 7): The Junior Strings Program adapts the core PMI experience for middle school students. Additionally, the program strives to encourage students' creativity within a “jam session-style” class to develop their improvisational skills, and venture beyond their repertoire of traditional classical music.
• The Combo (Grades 8 – 12): The Combo Program is open to intermediate and advanced students playing jazz instruments (i.e. saxophone, trombone, trumpet) who wish to try other genres of music prevalent in popular culture, commercials, and other contemporary jazz styles. Prior jazz or improvisational experience is not required and the program is also open to students playing rhythm instruments (i.e. piano/keyboard, electric/ acoustic guitar, electric/acoustic bass, drums and percussion instruments).
Center Stage
The Hawaii Youth Symphony’s very own Randy Wong was featured in MidWeek’s “Old Friends” column in the publication’s May 30th issue. In the article, Randy discussed topics such as his music experience, HYS’ mission to increase access to music education and the highly anticipated new summer programs offered to students.
Summer Program PSAs
Hawaii Youth Symphony is being highlighted through the airwaves with PSAs announcing the upcoming Pacific Music Institute! Mahalo to SummitMedia and Ohana Broadcast Company for donating station time to support the arts.
Board of Directors
Chair: Richard K. Ing
Chair-Elect: Patti Look
Secretary: Sharon R. Himeno
Treasurer: Jean Tsukamoto
Directors: Alan Arizumi, Liza Wo Davis, Gladys Hirano, Martin Hsia, Roy King, Tina Lau, Malcolm Lau, Dan Momohara, Michael Onofrietti, Erica Mau Orejel, Geoffrey S. Sewell, MD