Hawaii Youth Symphony

It’s winter concert season, and we’re reminded of all the things we love about music and the performing arts. There’s no denying that music plays a special role in stirring up holiday cheer- especially where there’s no snow to remind us! We rounded up some of our favorite ways to incorporate the joy of music into our lives a little extra this winter.

In what other season is there so much opportunity to celebrate the talent of our young people? Each year, our Hawaii Youth Symphony students perform in their program’s winter concert. It’s the perfect way to close out the semester and celebrate everything they’ve learned so far this year. 

Performing on stage helps kids build confidence, overcome anxiety and stage fright, and most of all, it shows them how much they can achieve through practice and determination. There’s nothing more rewarding than the sense of accomplishment drawn from the mastery of something difficult, combined with the love of a supportive crowd. 

Whether they’re at school auditoriums or professional venues, our winter concerts ensure that our keiki have the opportunity to shine on stage. It’s a great time for families to come together, support young talent, and enjoy an awesome evening of music.

Hope to see you there!

• Symphony Program Winter Concert: Sunday, December 3, 2023, at 2:00 pm at the Moanalua High School Performing Arts Center 
• Academy Program Winter Concert: Saturday, December 9, 2023, at 2:00 pm at Kaimuki High School Auditorium
• Jazz Program Winter Concert: Sunday, December 17, 2023, at 5:00 pm at Studio 909

We also love supporting our other local youth performing arts organizations at their winter shows, like Ballet Hawaii’s The Nutcracker and Hawaii Youth Opera Chorus’s Annual Holiday Concert. Every year, students rehearse and prepare songs and dances that they will perform for family and friends at these events. These concerts are a wonderful way to get into the holiday spirit while supporting young talent in your community. It’s so important to uplift our keiki through nurturing their talents and passions!

From students, to parents, to music teachers… Everyone needs a little reprieve from the stress of the school year. Even though we love music, sometimes all the practicing and juggling commitments can get to be a bit too much. The holiday break offers a great time to slow down, relax, and enjoy music in a casual setting, free from expectations and full of joy.

We hope you crank up the local radio and enjoy some Christmas music, bring out all the instruments your ‘ohana plays and jam together, go caroling, sing together around the piano, and just simply enjoy holiday cheer and music- however your family knows how! 

Music has the power to bring happiness, offer comfort, and make someone feel like they’re not alone. That’s why it’s so important to celebrate music in all its forms, especially when winter rolls around. 

Musicians and venues across Hawaiʻi put on tons of special events around the holidays! Going to a concert or show is a great way to support local musicians while bonding together and creating memories and traditions that will last a lifetime. Here are just a few must-see family-friendly events in Hawaiʻi. 

• The Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra always has something special for your ʻohana- their winter 2023 shows include Disney’s Frozen in Concert and The Music of Studio Ghibli. 
• Legendary local musicians are performing this year at Blue Note Hawaii in holiday shows like Mike Lewis’s seventh annual “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” Paula Fuga’s “Home for the Holidays,” Chamber Music Hawaii and Raiatea Helm’s “A Raiatea Christmas,” a Candlelight Holiday Special featuring “The Nutcracker” and more.
• Maui Pops Orchestra is ringing in the holiday season with a festive concert featuring 3-time Grammy® winner Kalani Peʻa and dance performance by Hālau o ka Hanu Lehua. 
• Amy Hānaiali’i is performing “A Pālehua Christmas,” with special guests Sean Na’auao, Mailani Makaina’i, and Eric Gilliom at the Maui Art & Cultural Center’s Castle Theater, and in Hilo.
• Kona Salt Farm is hosting a Holiday Sunset Concert with Henry Kapono featuring Brother Noland and Kalaʻe Parish in support of Maui’s musicians in need.
• Kalani Peʻa will be heading to Kauaʻi for his Hawaiian Christmas show at Anaina Hou Community Park’s Porter Pavilion.

It may not be the first to come to mind when you’re doing your holiday shopping, but music makes a great gift! Here are just a few ideas for the music lover in your life:

• Concert tickets to shows for the upcoming year
• New instrument
• New accessories for their instrument (Instrument case, guitar picks, strap, songbook)
• Record player, vinyl records
• Dues for an after-school music program or summer music camp
• Membership to a music streaming service
• Portable speaker, amp, mixer, headphones
• Gift card to a local music store, Spotify, Ticketmaster, iTunes
• Make them a playlist or mixtape
• Write them an original song 
• Give the gift of music education in someone’s name

These gifts will allow your loved ones to further pursue their passions, experience live music in person, listen to their favorite songs, make memories, or help a family afford music education for their child. Many of these gifts will continue to be cherished for years to come. Music is the gift that keeps on giving! 

Best musical wishes to you and yours in the new year. If you or your keiki are looking to become more involved in music, you can check out our music programs for students of all levels at https://www.hiyouthsymphony.org/