A Collaboration between Hawaii Youth Symphony and the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra
Side-by-Side programs are joint initiatives of professional orchestras and youth orchestras; a chance for aspiring young musicians to play in the “major leagues” for a night or two. Students and pros become stand partners and sit side-by-side.
Some of the most prominent orchestras across the country host these programs, such as the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the National Symphony Orchestra, the Seattle Symphony, and many others.
We are proud to collaborate with the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra on this special project and invite all to come attend the performances!
Join Us For Our Next Concert!
WHEN: Thursday, March 14, 2024 from 7:00-8:00 PM
WHERE: Tom Moffatt Waikiki Shell, 2805 Monsarrat Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815
WHO: Youth Symphony I and the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra
TICKETING: None! Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, the Hawaii Youth Symphony and your Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra are pleased to offer these concerts FREE to the public. No tickets or RSVP needed.
SHELL POLICIES: Please carefully read and observe the Waikiki Shell’s Policies listed below.
- No Coolers, Outside Food & Drinks allowed at the event
- No Packages, Bags, Knapsacks and Backpacks allowed
- Small Purses Not to exceed 12”x12 “ (One per person & subject to search)
- No Chairs, Back Rests Only
We look forward to seeing you at the Shell for a wonderful evening of music. Please invite your family and friends and help us spread the word!
March 2024 Side-by-Side Concert Program
JOHN SMITH, ORCHESTRATED BY ARTHUR LUCK—The Star Spangled Banner
KING DAVID KALĀKAUA & CAPTAIN HENRI BERGER—Hawaiʻi Ponoʻī
IGOR STRAVINSKY, arr. by MERLE J. ISSAC—Berceuse & Finale from “The Firebird Suite”
JOE HISAISHI—Symphonic Variation “Merry-Go-Round” for orchestra from “Howl’s Moving Castle”
GEORGE GERSHWIN—An American in Paris 1930 Edition
Conducted by HSO Music Director Dane Lam
Chinese-Australian conductor Dane Lam is Music Director of the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra (assuming the post of Music Director in July 2023) and Principal Conductor and Artistic Director of the Xi’an Symphony Orchestra.
Born in Brisbane, Australia to an Australian mother and a Singaporean-Chinese father, Dane played piano, clarinet, and saxophone as a child, and studied conducting under Gwyn Roberts at the University of Queensland.
He was the first conductor in the history of Opera Queensland to be honoured with an official position when he was appointed their Associate Music Director and Resident Conductor in December 2020.
Read Our Newsletter About Our Collab!
Our Most Recent Concert
Our fall 2023 Side-by-Side concert was performed by 150 musicians, which is possibly the biggest orchestra to ever perform at the iconic Waikiki Shell Amphitheater. With 86 musicians from Youth Symphony I and 64 musicians from the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra, this multi-generational orchestra includes musicians ages 14 to 70+. Hundreds of community audience members came out to enjoy the music, and we were thrilled to see so much enthusiasm and hear thunderous applause.
“Having a Side-by-Side is about building community and providing an amazing musical experience for youth. They are our future, and this is a memory that will be imprinted for decades to come,” said HYS President Randy Wong.
Unlike some sports, in which our bodies tend to give out, music can be a lifelong passion and pursuit! Side-by-Side programs not only help to reinforce music’s lifelong benefits, but also build and enhance intergenerational relationships. An orchestra is a meritocracy and we can live, learn, play, and grow together. – Randy Wong
In crafting the experience, the HYS and HSO teams worked hard to ensure an inclusive, comfortable experience for all. It was not only a Side-by-Side for our musicians, but also for the hardworking staff and board members of both organizations, and all of our supporters. Mahalo to all the stakeholders of both the Hawaii Youth Symphony and Hawaiʻi Symphony for making this incredible event possible!
More about the Collaboration
The Hawaii Youth Symphony is fortunate to have a wonderful relationship with our local professional symphony. Many of our HYS conductors, staff members, and alumni are musicians in the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra.
The History
The HSO x HYS Side-by-Side initiative has been part of our programming for decades. The first Side-by-Side concert, “A Taste of Symphony,” was held in September 1977 at McKinley High School. They continued to be held over the years when possible, but really became a priority during the 2012/13 season. We’ve had annual HYS x HSO Side-by-Sides consecutively ever since. Starting in the 2023-24 year, HYS and HSO are endeavoring to hold TWO Side-by-Sides each season.
“This is an extraordinary commitment by both organizations to furthering music education and empowering Hawaii’s rising young musicians,” says Randy Wong, President & CEO of Hawaii Youth Symphony, and an HSO musician himself. “Both organizations are active members in the League of American Orchestras, the governing body of orchestras nationwide, and through this Side-by-Side, we are jointly, and joyfully, leading the nation as music makers.”
The Process
Our most advanced ensemble, Youth Symphony I, participates in a Side-by-Side rehearsal with the HSO the day before the show, and then performs the repertoire in a professional setting for a live audience the following evening. The whole Side-by-Side process is meant to give our students the experience of being a true professional musician. From arriving on time to being expected to sight-read difficult music on the spot, students learn professionalism in a challenging yet supportive environment.
The Why
We love the Side-by-Side initiative because it is a perfect reflection of our organizational values. Our mission is to foster fun and creative experiences for youth that inspire a deep appreciation for music and lifelong relationships within the culture of our islands. What better way to do so than to be mentored by and then perform with local professionals?
Through the Side-by-Side initiative, students gain valuable insights into the world of music, network with fellow musicians, and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Interested in attending more concerts?
Sign up to receive concert announcements by joining our email list. Or, follow us on social media @hiyouthsymphony to stay up to date!
Hawaii Youth Symphony and Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra are both 501(c)3 non-profit organizations that rely on donor support to serve our community with music. If you would like to support your local orchestras, you can make a one-time or recurring donation at the links below, or purchase tickets to upcoming concerts. Mahalo!
Student List
Students are in order by last name
**Concertmaster
*Section Leader
Violin I
Preston Chi
Leia Choi
Ymin Guo
Vance Maeshiro
Cody James Nakagawa
Emi Okumoto
Max Shinno
Kaitlyn Sim
Sevastyan Swan
Belise Swartwood**
Gwyneth Tenn
Liliko Ueda
Violin II
Kai Asakura
Ella Cheung
Nicholas Chi
Ashley Jisue Hong*
Coco Kim
Riya Krishnagopalan
Keanna Lau
Aya Okimoto
Christopher Oyama
Alexis Phansaithong
Daniel Yoo
Viola
Mana Chun
Rylie Ann Hashizume
Swan Kim
Albert Ko*
Mie Kodama
Hannah Kwak
David Mansfield
Gray Nauwelaerts
Elizabeth Swan
Lulu Wang
Cello
Ian Ahn
Anson Akemoto
Dylan Campuspos
Lei Yao Chang*
Cassidy Ibanez
Ashlyn Ito
Emma Newman
Jason Vierra
Bryan Wood
Jodie Wung
Taigo Yuen
Bass
Seitaro Kobayashi*
Isabelle Morita
Joshua Wung
Harp
Arabella Tan*
Flute
Shane Komeiji*
Flora Liao
Noelani Velasco
Jessica-Holly Wiemer
Oboe
Maya Hokada
Alexis Molina
Kyle Siu*
Ayaka Yoshii
Clarinet
Grace Kawaoka
Leanne So
Aiden Taheri
Chelsea Takushi*
Bassoon
Spencer Lyau*
Jayden Retutal
Horn
Gabriel Cole
McKenzee Espiritu
Zhixian Lu
Chelsea Song*
Caleb Tamargo
Nicholas Williams
Trumpet
Jasmine Addison
Dawson Chan
Kyle Ehara
Joel Lee*
Trombone
Ahren Awong
Jae Koo
Andrew Li
Luke Watanabe*
Tuba
Daniel Li*
Percussion
Travis Chen
Mani Kovacich
Carter Nobuhara
Alexa Sasaki
Brady Schultz
Mahalo to Our Schools
HYS is grateful to the many public, private, and home schools that play their part in helping to advance music’s role in their communities. The following schools are represented in Youth Symphony I this year. We are deeply grateful to all the music educators and private music teachers whose expertise, encouragement, and support mean so much to us and our students. Every attempt has been made to publish an accurate list for this 2023-2024 season, and we regret any errors or omissions that have been made.
Castle High School
Hawaii Baptist Academy
Homeschool
Iolani School
Kalani High School
Leeward Community College
McKinley High School
Mid-Pacific Institute
Mililani High School
Moanalua High School
Pearl City High School
Punahou School
Radford High School
Roosevelt High School
University Lab School