Hawai'i Concert Society
🎶2024-2025 Educational Activities
We are pleased to have arranged educational activities involving five of the seven artists who gave public concerts this season. Top left to right: in October the Galliard String Quartet performed for the string orchestra class at Hilo High School. In January the early music group Gut, Wind, and Wire visited Malamalama Waldorf School, where Mindy Rosefeld demonstrated one of her multitude of baroque recorders and Ronn McFarlane explained to Hilo Intermediate School students the design and the history of the lute, the most popular instrument during the Renaissance. Bottom: in March Nathan Meltzer presided over a master class for six violin students of Cathy Young. Rather than demonstrate on his 1793 Storioni violin, Nathan used the students’ violins; this showed the students that they too could sound very good on their instruments. Also in March, Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana gave both a lecture demonstration of their art form and a master class for dance students at U. H. Hilo. In May our final artist of the season, Ilya Yakushev combined a master class for five local students with a 20-minute performance for them. Upon the recommendation of the U.H. Hilo Performing Arts Department, the Concert Society has awarded $1,000 scholarships to two talented individuals, music student Aleah Kay and dance student Jourdan Park. We thank our membership, whose contributions help to finance our outreach activities.
🎶Welcoming the Next Generation:
High School Music Ambassadors
The 2024-2025 Season marked a beautiful milestone for our organization: the introduction of our first cohort of high school volunteers, officially known as Music Ambassadors. These passionate and enthusiastic students brought fresh energy to our concert season and played an important role in helping us fulfill our mission of sharing high-quality music from around the world with the Hawaiʻi Island community.
A Season of Service and Learning
The Music Ambassador program was launched with a simple but meaningful vision: to connect youth with the arts while cultivating a spirit of service, cultural appreciation, and community engagement. Starting with a training in September, our Music Ambassadors joined us throughout the concert season. Their responsibilities, though humble in appearance, were essential to the warm and welcoming experience we aim to create for our audiences and performers alike. Ambassadors distributed concert programs to patrons and participated in the meaningful tradition of presenting leis to our visiting artists after each performance.
Why Involving Youth Matters
Bringing high school students into our organization isn’t just about filling volunteer roles - it’s about planting seeds for the future. In a time when the arts are facing increasing challenges, involving young people directly in live performance settings fosters deeper appreciation, empathy, and stewardship for the cultural life of our island. Volunteering gives students the opportunity to experience world-class performances, interact with professional artists, and gain confidence in public-facing roles. More importantly, it helps them see themselves as contributors to the community - as individuals who belong in concert halls and within artistic institutions.
A Foundation for the Future
We asked that all Music Ambassadors commit to a full season, and we were inspired by their dedication and professionalism. As we look ahead, we hope to grow this program and continue creating opportunities for youth to engage with live music in meaningful and memorable ways.
To our inaugural group of Music Ambassadors: Mahalo for helping us bring beauty, connection, and joy to the community this season. You are truly a part of the music.
"I want to volunteer because I love music
and want to help the community in any way I can."
- Waiākea High School Student Volunteer
"By volunteering with Hawai'i Concert Society, I hope to learn more about music and find more inspiration to continue honing my musical skills."
- Waiākea High School Student Volunteer
🎶2023-2024 Educational Activities
We are fortunate to have arranged seven educational activities involving six of the seven artists who gave public concerts during the 2023-24 season.Top left: in October the Verona Quartet performed in front of approximately 100 Hilo High School students. Top right: in November, pianist Mahani Teave gave a master class at First United Protestant Church for six Hilo area students. Middle left: Spanish Brass gave a lively performance in front of 200 students at Kamehameha Schools in early January. Middle right: Trio con Brio performed for 100 students at Keonepoko Elementary School in February. Bottom left: pianist Anna Geniushene with six students and their teachers following her master class in March. Bottom right: the Cavatina Duo presented two educational programs, one for 50 Hilo High students and the one shown for approximately 300 engaged and enthusiastic children at the combined Kalanianaole - Haaheo Elementary School.
Upon the recommendation of the U. H. Hilo Performing Arts Department, the Concert Society awarded $1,000 scholarships to two talented and deserving students, Dane Dupree and Misty Cruden. The awards are double those of the several previous years.
We thank our membership, whose contributions help to finance these outreach activities
