Mukaita was one of many piano teachers and their pupils who took part in Pianomania 2004 yesterday at the Neal Blaisdell Concert Hall. In all, 350 students from the Big Island, Kaua'i and O'ahu participated in yesterday's performance.

Established in 1988, Pianomania is performed in ensemble fashion, unlike other piano recitals, because the organizers want the kids to be part of a cooperative endeavor. That helps alleviate any anxiety the kids might have about playing in front of a large crowd in an unknown venue.

Ethel Iwasaki, assistant chairwoman of the event, said the performance also teaches the students the basics of performance. Among other things, they learn to read music while following a conductor, she said, and how to bow.

"The kids enjoy (playing in front of a crowd)," she said. "Some of the kids have changed their mind about quitting piano after playing in Pianomania."

The students played center stage, in a triangular grouping of 10 pianos. They filed on stage dressed for the part, the boys in white shirts and black ties and the girls in ankle-length gowns.

Parents, siblings and friends nearly filled the concert hall yesterday as kids crawled in the aisles and bags of lei crinkled in laps.

Tony Wong, a 9-year-old from Waikele, said he'd been to recitals before, so the size of the concert hall didn't scare him. He said he enjoys playing the piano, and after his year of playing, his father wants him to be a piano teacher.

"I like it because it doesn't make you tense," he said.

The students performed an array of music that varied with age and skill level. Selections ranged from such standards as "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" to Mozart's "Sonata in A Major." Each piece, regardless of how it was performed, met enthusiastic applause from the crowd.

Mia Masuda, 8, plays piano in addition to competing in triathlons and surfing. She said she enjoys playing because of the way it sounds. "I like playing songs and learning songs," she said.

Cole Nagamine, 9, who has played for three years, said he was excited to play in front of a big crowd. He said he practices for an hour a day, five days a week. "My grandpa tells me to play," he said. "I like listening to the sound."

Yesterday's concert was a treat for parents as well.

Moms and dads cuddled, smiled and pointed when their children climbed onto the piano seat and demonstrated that the lessons, for the most part, were working.

"I never played piano, so it's nice to see my children play," said Beverly Mau, whose son Chaz and daughter Chanelle performed yesterday.

But it was the teachers who seemed to take the most pride in the kids' performances. Teachers moved through the crowd, collecting their pupils for preparation backstage before they went on.

"It makes us proud to see our students perform in this concert hall," said Lyuba McSwain, a piano teacher in 'Aiea. "It is a good opportunity for them."