HYS develops its curriculum around five core values:
LIFELONG
LEARNING
Students enrolled in HYS programs gain more than growth
in music. The demands of weekly rehearsals and multiple
performances encourage responsibility, organization, commitment,
self-confidence, poise and teamwork. It necessitates an
ability to listen to others to attain a common goal. It
requires personal discipline and dedication. Each of these
skills contributes to lifelong learning.
MUSICAL
EXCELLENCE
HYS creates an environment for musical excellence that is
accessible to any interested youth, regardless of his/her
financial condition. It unites hundreds of students from
different schools, cultural backgrounds and socio-economic
conditions around a single, high standard of excellence.
Although registration fees (average $285/student/year) cover
less than 20% of what it cost to run a child through HYS’s
program, HYS does not require its families to pay for additional
expenses for tours, coaches, workshops, concerts or rehearsals.
All additional expenses, including financial aid programs
and travel reimbursements for Neighbor-Island students,
are covered by HYS and its funders. HYS does everything
it can to allow its students to focus solely on music. HYS
conductors are selected for their musical accomplishments
and their ability to inspire young people.
COMMUNITY
SERVICE
HYS’s orchestras perform an average of 21 concerts
per year. While they are all open to the public, half of
them are offered free-of-charge, including a minimum of
six, educational Listen & Learn concerts for school
children. HYS firmly believes in making quality music accessible
to our communities, especially our children. Community concerts
not only allow HYS to showcase its young musicians, they
also instill in performing youth a sense of civic responsibility
and the value of service-learning. Participants in HYS’s
chamber music program also perform in elderly care facilities,
hospitals and for other nonprofit organizations throughout
Oahu.
PROFESSIONALISM
Participating students are required to attend weekly Sunday
rehearsals. Absences require prior notification from a parent
or guardian. Two absences are allowed per semester. Tardiness
and early exits add up to absences. Consequences include
demotion in seating, exclusion from concerts and tours or
expulsion. HYS creates professionally-produced concerts
for its students and the general public, and performers
are required to dress appropriately. Students who do not
meet the dress code cannot perform.
A FUTURE
FOR MUSIC
By continuing its 40-year tradition of musical excellence,
HYS ensures there will be a future for music both by training
prospective professional musicians and by providing high-quality
concerts to develop new generations of audiences and appreciation
for music.
