The city has awarded a $5,000 grant to the Hawaii Youth Symphony for its 2007-2008 season, according to a news release.

"The Hawaii Youth Symphony is the top provider of orchestral music education in the state. The symphony's ability to offer programs that advance the intrinsic value of music and other life skills is outstanding," said Mayor Mufi Hannemann, in a news release. "The city is proud to play a role in the development of the future artists and caretakers of Honolulu."

The mayor will present the grant to Hawaii Youth Symphony officials on Sunday at 5 p.m. at the Neal Blaisdell Center Concert Hall during a spring concert featuring the Youth Symphony I and Youth Symphony II.

The grant provides support for the production of at least 11 performances as part of the Symphony Orchestra Program, which runs until May 2008. The grant will also support workshops and the Summer Strings Program and Pacific Music Institute, according to a news release.

The grant to the Hawaii Youth Symphony was appropriated by the Mayor's Office of Culture and the Arts. The Hawaii Youth Symphony will serve 600 students ages 8-18 and reach more than 16,000 audience members during the season.