YOUTH ORCHESTRA: OPEN REGISTRATION

A new class opening this fall for beginning strings will offer affordable instruction on violin, viola, cello and bass, the Maui Youth Philharmonic Orchestra announced. The class is appropriate for children and teens 8 years and up; no musical experience necessary. Registration is now open for the class, which begins Saturday, October 10, 2009, from 12:45 – 1:45 p.m. at the Baldwin High School Band Room. No audition is necessary.

Image courtesy Maui Youth Philharmonic Orchestra.

The Beginning Strings session includes 26 classes plus a minimum of two public concerts; cost for the 2009-2010 Season is $175. Instruments may be rented through Global Music Supply, and students are highly encouraged to augment the Saturday Beginning Strings class by participating in a small group or taking a private lesson during the week. A list of teachers is available on the registration form.

Instructor Iolani Yamashiro is the co-founder and president of the Maui Youth Philharmonic Orchestra (MYPO), which also offers a string orchestra, youth philharmonic orchestra and string ensembles for students with prior experience.

Registration forms are available online at www.mauiyouthphilharmonic.org. A completed registration form should be mailed with $50 deposit to MYPO, P.O. Box 6105, Kahului, HI, 96733. Registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

The mission of MYPO is to expand and enhance music education on Maui by providing opportunities for young musicians to develop their musicianship. Approximately 50 students ages 8-18 from schools throughout Maui currently belong to the MYPO String Orchestra, Philharmonic Orchestra and string ensembles; instruments include violin, viola, cello, bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, tuba, French horn, drum kit, snare and bass drums as well as other percussion instruments.

For more information on the new Beginning Strings class or MYPO’s 2009 – 2010 Season, visit www.mauiyouthphilharmonic.org.