Posted at 9:00 a.m., Thursday, April 19, 2007
Honolulu Symphony to play, educate on Big Island
Associated Press
HONOLULU — The Honolulu Symphony is preparing for its first educational tour of the Big Island since 1995, thanks to a state Department of Human Services federal block grant.Next month's three-day tour will give children and adults the opportunity to enjoy free education and community concerts, the symphony announced Wednesday.
"The Honolulu Symphony is deeply committed to serving all the people of Hawai'i," said Jeffrey Minter, the symphony's board chairman. "This tour represents the first of what we hope are regular tours to the Neighbor Islands."
Ten after-school music enrichment programs are slated for May 15-16, and more than 20 symphony ensemble performances, such as trios and quartets, are set for 11 elementary schools May 16-17.
Maestro Aaron Mahi will conduct at a family concert May 16, while Maestro Stuart Chafetz will conduct two full-orchestra music education concerts the following day.
"Music education is the heart of the Honolulu Symphony, and the positive impact of music education on children and their families is limitless," said Tom Gulick, the symphony's executive director.
"By demonstrating the dedication of our musicians in their pursuit of musical excellence, we hope to inspire children to study music at school and home, and motivate them to pursue further enrichment opportunities."
The DHS grant is part of a Temporary Assistance for Needy Families federal block grant intended to help families achieve self-sufficiency. In 2005 the federal program began to focus on sustaining and keeping families together.
