Want to learn an orchestral string instrument?
Our Academy String Program is the place to start! Approximately 200 students from more than 70 schools participate in the Academy programs each year.
Since 2010, the Academy has partnered with the Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii.
Information for the 2026-2027 school year has now been updated below.
Registration for BSE & ISE classes is now available!
Regular registration deadline is August 22, 2026.
Financial Aid registration deadline is August 15, 2026.
For SOE & CSO audition registration & audition music, (CLICK HERE).
Beginning String Ensemble (BSE)
Description
NO AUDITION REQUIRED
Students have NO experience OR have less than 1 year of experience taking private lessons.
Students will be introduced to the instruments in the string orchestra (violin, viola, cello & bass) at our Academy Orientation in August and then get to choose the instrument they would like to learn if they do not already play an instrument. We will size students at the orientation. We offer instrument loans for FREE. Parents will need to indicate that they need an instrument to borrow on the registration form and then make an appointment to come to the HYS office to pick-up an instrument sometime AFTER the Academy Orientation.
BSE students will sometimes be meeting with instrument coaches (violin, viola, cello, bass) to give them more individualized attention on their instruments but will also be learning all together in a string orchestra setting.
Class Times
Rehearsals: Saturdays 9:00-10:15 am
Faculty
Instructor: Carissa Miyamoto, Conductor
Registration
Registration Opens: Monday, July 6, 2026
Financial Aid Deadline: August 15, 2026
Registration Deadline: August 22, 2026
First Day of Class: Saturday, September 12, 2026
Tuition: $710.00 (Need-based financial aid available)
Intermediate String Ensemble (ISE)
Description
NO AUDITION REQUIRED
Students should have just completed a beginning level class on their string instrument (Example: Took beginning orchestra at school for 6th grade) OR if they are taking private lessons, they are in the middle/ending part of Suzuki Book 1.
Students should already be able to read whole note, half note, quarter note, paired eighth note, quarter rest, half rest, and whole rest rhythms and at least read notes for a D-Major 1-Octave Scale starting on open D string in their instrument’s clef AND the notes on their G-string for violin, viola & cello and A-string for Bass in first position.
Students who were in the Beginning String Ensemble (BSE) for the 2025-2026 school year OR in the Summer Strings Beginning class need to be recommended by their teacher to get into ISE.
Performs music in the 0.5-1 level (out of 6 levels)
Class Times
Rehearsals: Saturdays 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Faculty
Instructor: Carissa Miyamoto, Conductor
Registration
Registration Opens: Monday, July 6, 2026
Financial Aid Deadline: August 15, 2026
Registration Deadline: August 22, 2026
First Day of Class: Saturday, September 12, 2026
Tuition: $710.00 (Need-based financial aid available)
String Orchestra Ensemble (SOE)
Description
AUDITION REQUIRED and will determine if a student gets placed into this ensemble. This year, the SOE audition will be DIFFERENT from the CSO audition music.
It is suggested, but not required that students have at least 2 years of orchestra experience on their instrument OR are in Suzuki Book 3 and up. Students should be able to read notes in 1st position on all strings on their instrument and are learning how to tune their instrument with the fine tuners. They may also be starting to learn vibrato and shifting to upper positions, but it is not required for the class. Shifting and vibrato will be practiced and introduced in the class.
Violins who demonstrate proficiency in 3rd position during the audition will most likely be placed in the 1st violin section, and students who are not yet playing in 3rd position will most likely be placed in the 2nd violin section.
Violas and Cellos are not expected to know how to shift but should understand extended patterns and starting to learn how to shift.
Basses should be able to shift from 1st through 3rd positions.
Performs music in the 1.5-2.5 level (out of 6 levels)
Class Times
Rehearsals: Saturdays from 8:30-9:45 am
Faculty
Instructor: Mackenzie Kwong, Conductor
SOE Audition Application and Music
Audition Application and Music is available on the SOE & CSO Audition Page – https://www.hiyouthsymphony.org/auditions/academy/
Audition Application Early Deadline: July 17, 2026
Audition Application Late Deadline: July 24, 2026
First Day of Class: September 5, 2026
Tuition: $740.00 (Need-based financial aid available)
Concert String Orchestra (CSO)
Description
AUDITION REQUIRED and will determine if a student gets placed into this ensemble.
Most advanced ensemble for the Academy Program
It is suggested, but not required, that students have at least 3 years of experience on their instrument.
Students should be able to maintain good hand positions, posture and instrument positions while they play and are able to read music well. They should be able to tune their own instruments using the fine tuners for violin, viola, and cello, or tuning pegs for basses. Students should have a basic understanding of vibrato and be able to vibrato on at least the longer notes in music.
Violin & Viola students are able to play from 1st through 3rd position comfortably, and violins who are placed in the 1st violin section should be able to play beyond 3rd position up to 5th or 6th position.
Cello students are able to play in 1st, extended, 2nd, 3rd & 4th positions.
Basses are able to play comfortably in all positions up to the harmonic G on the G-string.
Performs music in the 2.5-4 level (out of 6 levels)
Class Times
Rehearsals: Saturdays from 10:00-11:30 am
Faculty
Instructor: Mackenzie Kwong, Conductor
CSO Audition Application and Music
Audition Application and Music is available on the SOE & CSO Audition Page – https://www.hiyouthsymphony.org/auditions/academy/
Audition Application Early Deadline: July 17, 2026
Audition Application Late Deadline: July 24, 2026
First Day of Class: September 5, 2026
Tuition: $740.00 (Need-based financial aid available)
Location
Boys and Girls Club of Hawaii Location & Membership Information
ALL Academy Program students must become members of the Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii (BGCH).
After you complete the registration form, HYS will send you information on how to join the BGCH shortly after August 1. All BGCH memberships expire on August 1 so all of our students will need to either renew their membership or join after August 1. HYS covers the BGCH membership fee of $25 and when you get the instructions on how to join BGCH, it will explain what to do in order to zero out the membership fee.
BGCH Honolulu Location
Spalding Clubhouse, 2nd Floor
1704 Waiola Street
(Behind Washington Middle School, Corner of Waiola & Lokahi St.)
Schedule Overview
SATURDAYS from early September 2026 through early May 2027 (subject to change)
Mandatory IN-PERSON Orientations: Saturday, August 29, 2026
9:00-9:45 AM – ISE, SOE & CSO Orientation @ BGCH Spalding
10:15-11:15 AM – BSE Orientation @ BGCH Spalding
First Day of Class:
SOE & CSO – September 5, 2026
ISE & BSE – September 12, 2026
Tuition
Tuition for the 2026-2027 season:
BSE & ISE Tuition: $710.00
SOE & CSO Tuition: $740.00
If finances are an issue, we encourage you to apply for financial aid. The financial aid application will be included in the registration form.
Age Eligibility
Age and grade requirement: at least 8 years old by August 1, 2026 (or older) AND entering grades 3-12.
Audition Music
SOE and CSO audition music can be found on the Academy Audition Page.
Health and Safety Requirements and Expectations
*COVID-19 policies are subject to change and will be based on policies determined by HYS and the Boys and Girls Club of Hawaii.
Contact
Email: admin@hiyouthsymphony.org
Phone: (808) 941-9706