Radio show seeks young musicians

Advertiser Staff

Got a young Itzhak Perlman or Yo-Yo Ma in the family circle?

The Public Radio International program the Boston Herald called "public radio's answer to MTV" might just want to put your kid on the radio. "From The Top," a weekly series that showcases the country's best pre-college-age classical musicians, is interested in finding a few in Hawai'i.

A live taping of "From The Top" will be done at the Hawai'i Theatre on Dec. 15. Host Christopher O'Riley will introduce the program, which combines performances by young solo musicians or ensembles with interviews, pre-produced segments, sketches and musical games.

"From The Top" is broadcast nationwide. The program runs locally at 10 a.m. Saturdays, on KHPR, KKUA and KANO.

Audition forms may be downloaded from www.fromthetop.org/rs_pages/rs_perform.html. For more information, call Hawai'i Public Radio at 955-8821.

Be warned, however, that the program offers no guarantee that musicians from Hawai'i will make the final cut. Only one musician from the state has appeared on "From The Top" since its 2000 debut. Mid-Pacific Institute trumpeter Alex Gotay appeared on the show last October.

Tickets to attend the live taping go on sale at the Hawai'i Theatre box office in September for HPR members, and Oct. 1 for the general public. Prices will be $45, $40, $35 and $15 with discounts available for HPR members, Hawai'i Theatre members and ages 17 and younger.

Attendance by children younger than 7 is discouraged.

Guest artists on "From The Top" have included Isaac Stern, Midori, Joshua Bell, Yo-Yo Ma and Sarah Chang. The program is broadcast on 240 stations nationwide.