Dear Students, Parents, and Community Members:
At long last, here we are together again! It is my pleasure to welcome you to the first in-person Hawaiʻi State Music Competition since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Three years ago, life shifted to a virtual platform that allowed education and competitions to continue. Many of our competing teenage students went through a lengthy pause in live events, unable to perform during the most crucial time in their musical development. Some students barely scratched the surface of live performance before the shutdown. Our keiki have only ever experienced virtual events and will be performing for the first time in their young lives! What is most inspiring to me is the resilience of these students. They seem unphased and ready to adapt to any and all changes. And that is what life is about, is it not? I am humbled to learn this lesson from these outstanding young musicians.
As a resident of Kauaʻi, and knowing only a handful of teachers, I was intimidated to assume the presidency of the Hawaiʻi Music Teachers Association. But I quickly learned that the Spirit of Aloha runs deep. Thank you for your collective kindness and for accepting me as your colleague. I recognize the sacrifices and commitment that each and every teacher makes daily. You see, the choice to teach comes with an unspoken vow to show up for your students no matter what. Mahatma Gandhi once said: “The future depends on what we do in the present.” Teachers understand this more than any other profession, and so we go above and beyond, because one day sooner than later, these students will grace the same stages we do, they will share the most powerful universal language of music with the world, and they will pass along lessons we learned from our teachers and our teacher’s teachers.
None of this would be possible without our village of family and friends. From unwavering parental support to enthusiastic corporate sponsors, you are all a part of the only Hawaiʻi State Music Competition. I am proud to see participation from the neighboring islands of Maui and Kauaʻi. Your collective support allows us to provide student recitals, fun workshops, masterclasses, and a variety of creative musical events throughout the year thanks to a formidable Board of Directors who tirelessly contribute their time and expertise. A special thanks goes to our immediate past president, Dr. Nikki Ebisu, for her continual guidance and support.
The buzzing excitement around this competition is palpable. Students, I celebrate your achievements, and I hope that you have a blast!
Aloha,
Monica Chung, HMTA president
During the weekend of March 4-5, 2023, the Hawaiʻi State Music Competition (HSMC) made an exciting and long-awaited return to a live, public, and in-person format at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Music Department’s Orvis Auditorium and Room 36.
The HSMC, hosted by HMTA, is a state competition open to young musicians aged 5-18 who play strings, piano, woodwind, or brass. Although most competitors choose to enter one instrumental category, some decide to enter multiple as well. All competitors are organized into several categories based on age that range from pre-level to level V. After the competition ends, 1st place winners perform in a special and highly supportive winners’ recital. See the end of this article for a gallery of beautiful photos taken by HMTA board member Duane Padilla at this year’s recital.
This year, the HSMC had over 130 competitors across strings, piano, and woodwinds. These students not only came from Oʻahu, but also Maui and Hawaiʻi Island. Audience members, along with members of the jury (which included local teachers and teachers from abroad), were deeply impressed by the fantastic, incredible, and sensitive performances they heard during the competition. HMTA vice president and HSMC chair, Dr. Sophia Park, was touched by the inspiring musicality and passion she witnessed and heard about from judges and competition attendees. At the winners’ recital, Dr. Park stated: “People of all ages wish that they could probably find their talent or their gift; sometime in their lifetime…and here you are, at such a young age…you not only have discovered your gift, but you’ve been given the opportunity to grow it and to share it with other people.”
Apart from 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place awards, recognition was also given to those who demonstrated notable musicianship. Some awards were also given for brilliant performances of pieces written by women and composers of color. Other awards were given for remarkable performances of pieces by Bach or Mozart, or pieces composed during the 21st century. Many students brought wonderful diversity and inclusion to HSMC through their repertoire choices. In particular, there were many programmed works by female composers and composers of Japanese descent including Kristina Arakelyan, Yoshinao Nakada, Cécile Chaminade, Karen Tanaka, and Ruth Watson Henderson. Female composer Anna Contreras was thrilled that her 2018 piece entitled “Piano Joker” was performed during the competition by a piano level III competitor. Contreras expressed her appreciation through a story post on her Instagram (@annartco) and mentioned that she loved that competitor’s interpretation.
Although this competition’s live and in-person return is truly special, what’s also special is that this competition took place during HMTA’s 55th year as the 49th state affiliate of the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA). Information on HMTA’s 55th anniversary summer event will be coming soon.
Established in 1968, the Hawaiʻi Music Teachers Association was founded at a tea in honor of Celia Mae Bryant, who was then vice-president of MTNA. Since then, HMTA has endeavored to fulfill the purposes stated in its constitution and serves as a resource for music teachers and students across the state of Hawaiʻi. Apart from the HSMC, HMTA seeks to promote the professional growth and development of its members and further the art of music by providing programs that encourage and support teaching, performance, composition, and scholarly research.
HMTA sends a very warm and grateful mahalo to all the kind and generous sponsors who support HMTA’s mission and competitions, masterclasses, workshops, recitals, and more.
2023 HSMC Photo gallery
Credit: Duane Padilla
