Hawai‘i Youth Symphony

On Sunday, May 3, 2026, Hawai‘i Youth Symphony is making history. For the first time ever, we’re bringing our students to the Honolulu Zoo for the inaugural ROARchestra Rally: A Youth Day of Music. This is the first event of its kind, and we couldn’t be more excited to share it with you!

This isn’t a normal concert…it’s a full zoo takeover! Every single student in Hawai‘i Youth Symphony will perform, totaling more than 500 young musicians from dozens of public, charter, home, and independent schools across the state. From our youngest Clubhouse & Academy String Program students to middle and high schoolers in the Symphony Program, every ensemble will take the stage. You can expect full symphony orchestras, jazz and chamber groups, string orchestras, ‘ukulele ensembles, and special performances from friends of HYS, all woven into the sights and sounds of one of Oʻahu’s most beloved outdoor spaces.

Performances will be spread throughout the day from 10:30 AM to 3:00 PM, and admission to all of them is included with your regular zoo ticket. So while you’re exploring 42 acres alongside 1,200 wondrous animals and their specialized habitats, you might just round a corner and find yourself in the middle of a live orchestral performance!

Here’s something that might surprise you: the animals at the Honolulu Zoo could be some of the most attentive audience members of the day. Researchers have long observed that music resonates beyond the human world. Gentle music has been shown to invite chimpanzees to sway. Birds have been documented vocalizing in response to orchestral sound. And across the animal kingdom, creatures of all kinds have been observed being drawn toward music’s pull.

There’s something profound in that. Music isn’t just a human art form, it’s a form of connection across species. On May 3, hundreds of young musicians will fill the Honolulu Zoo with sound and, in doing so, they’ll be participating in something much bigger than a performance. They’ll be part of a living ecosystem of harmony.

The ROARchestra Rally is also a testament to what becomes possible when organizations share a vision. This event was made possible through a collaboration between HYS and the Honolulu Zoo Society, an example of a collaboration that makes Hawai‘i stronger. The Honolulu Zoo provides a living, breathing backdrop unlike any concert hall. HYS brings hundreds of dedicated music students. We both serve our community in our own vital way, and together we’ve created a uniquely vibrant event that neither of us could have done alone.

At HYS, we believe that Music is a Right. Events like our ROARchestra Rally are part of how we live that mission: by bringing music out of the concert hall and into the places where families already gather, making it accessible, joyful, and free with zoo admission. When we partner with institutions like the Honolulu Zoo, we extend that reach even further, ensuring that more keiki and families in Hawai‘i can experience the power of live music.

The ROARchestra Rally is included with your Honolulu Zoo admission on May 3, 2026:

• Kama‘āina & Active U.S. Military: $10 adults / $6 children (ages 3–12)
• General Admission: $21 adults / $13 children
• Keiki ages 2 and under: Always free

Tickets and zoo memberships are available for purchase onsite and online at honoluluzoo.org. Performances run from 10:30 AM to 3:00 PM, giving you a full day to explore the zoo, take in the music, and make a memory with your ʻohana.

If your business or ‘ohana is interested in supporting this event, please learn more about our Sponsorship and ‘Ohana Packages. These packages offer tickets and picnic packs for your family or small business, along with event visibility and HYS totes and tees, so you can have the ultimate Zoo day full of music and fun while supporting Hawai‘i Youth Symphony.

We can’t wait to see you on May 3!