Illustrious violinist Midori has selected Hawaii for her next orchestral residency programme. The Japanese-born American will lead workshops, masterclasses, discussion groups and advocacy efforts, as well as performing with both Hawai’i Symphony Orchestra (HSO) and Hawaii Youth Symphony (HYS).
‘[This residency] puts a spotlight on the importance of professional musicians working alongside music educators to enhance the performance skills of student musicians,’ said HSO executive director Jonathan Parrish, while HYS’s executive director Randy Wong added that: ‘This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that will surely inspire Hawaii’s young, aspiring musicians.’
Midori’s residency programme aims to develop youth orchestras by increasing their community presence and building partnerships with professional orchestras and other groups. Two youth orchestras are selected each season, with Midori previously working with youth orchestras in Kalamazoo, Eugene and Santa Rosa.
HYS, based in Honolulu, consists of 100 students from 20 separate schools, and will perform with Midori on 8 April at its annual spring concert in Blaisdell Concert Hall. HSO music director Henry Miyamura will conduct a programme that includes Max Bruch’s Violin Concerto no 1, JS Bach’s Double Violin Concerto and Ottorino Respighi’s Belkis, Queen of Sheba.
Other activities on the schedule include a visit to Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii, meetings with local legislators that aim to increase public involvement with HYS and sessions with the boards of both orchestras. Violinist GaHyun Cho will act as Midori’s teaching assistant during the residency, which runs from 7-10 April.
