On April 22nd, 200 Youth Symphony musicians took to the Pearl City stage to perform a wide variety of pieces, including the premier of local composer Michael Foumai's (19) Poem de Fantasie, composed for this particular concert.
Hawaii Youth Symphony II is directed by Michael Nakasone, whose resume includes current directorship of the Royal Hawaiian Band and 28 years of Pearl City High School Wind Ensemble I. Nakasone is a classical pianist by training, who also learned to play the saxophone as his principal wind instrument. Concert Orchestra Susan Ochi-Onishi is a renowned oboist and private oboe instructor throughout the islnads. Ochi-Onishi was a longtime band director of Kaimuki Middle School's band program, and is currently the president of the American School Band Directors Association Hawaii chapter.
For more information on the concert pieces and upcoming performances, please visit hiyouthsymphony.org or call 941-9706.