The “Symphony of the Hawaiian Birds” will be performed for the first time on Kaua‘i on February 23 and 24 at the Kaua‘i CC Performing Arts Center.
A one-of-a-kind work that celebrates the unique birds of Hawai’i, the “Symphony of the Hawaiian Birds” brings together music, art, animation, science, and hula, created by Hawai‘i-based composers, artists, scientists, and educators.
Student artwork will also be displayed during the concerts. The theme is “Malama Hawaiian Forest Birds!” with a focus on Kaua‘i’s birds.
“This is a wonderful learning experience for the students, and it should likely be a great thrill to see their work displayed on a big screen at the concert in front of their peers,” said Takuma Itoh, associate professor of Music at UH Manoa and one of the composers.
In connection to the “Symphony of the Hawaiian Birds”, a Kaua‘i-specific curriculum has been developed as a tool for teachers to further deepen the dialogue with the students about Kaua‘i-specific challenges in conservation.
“We are excited to be able to share this curriculum free of charge as a part of our outreach materials with the public,” said Lisa Crampton, leader of the Kaua‘i Forest Bird Recovery Project, a co-host of the events.
The event is free and open to the public.
The Symphony of the Hawaiian Birds has been performed in front of more than 10,000 students on O‘ahu, but this is the first time the work will be performed on Kaua‘i.
“If we could get every fourth-grade class learning the hula, learning the science, learning the music, and attending the symphony every year, that would be a dream come true,” said Melissa Price, project coordinator and assistant professor of Natural Resources and Environmental Management at UH Manoa.
The free public concert on February 23 is a joint performance of the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa Wind Ensemble and the Kaua‘i CC Wind Symphony.
Doors will open at 3:30 p.m. for the 4:00 event.
Two additional performances of the concert by the UH Manoa Wind Ensemble are scheduled for February 24, with more than 1,000 Kaua‘i students grades 4–12 from Kekaha to Kilauea registered to attend at 9:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.
A few seats remain for the 10:45 a.m. concert if any homeschool families/communities are interested in attending.
Info: symphonyofhawaiianbirds@gmail.com
