Hawai‘i Youth Symphony to Expand Programs and Outreach

Youth Symphony I. Photo: Wiki Creative Commons.

The Hawai‘i Youth Symphony (HYS) has announced new programs in the coming months with an emphasis on community outreach to engage the public and attract students from around the world.

“A core principle of our vision is that making music is a right, not a privilege,” said Randy Wong, executive director of the Hawai‘i Youth Symphony. “To meet that promise, we must create more avenues to empower young people everywhere with the joy, skills and character building that can come from learning and appreciating music.”

A redesign of the HYS logo and website will complement the new initiatives including:

• Neighbor island programs supporting and complementing existing musical communities;
• Rural and under-resourced community programs serving communities in need of music education opportunities;
• Artistic expansions programs designed to attract more students locally and abroad.

HYS plans to work closely with neighbor island communities to improve services for local needs. In addition to classical music education, new programs will include opportunities for students to explore a variety of music and instruments.

“I’m delighted for what the future holds for our students through these important new initiatives and our ongoing programs,” said Dr. John Devlin, Hawai‘i Youth Symphony’s music director to-be beginning in June. “Hawai‘i Youth Symphony’s commitment to investing in the development of young people is at the heart of this journey as we navigate new and wider channels to make music education accessible to all.”

Established in 1964, HYS’s programs serve youth through music education, orchestra performances and community engagement. For more information, call (808) 941-9706 or visit HiYouthSymphony.org.