The UH West Oʻahu University Band at a Pearlridge Center performance.
Make music at the University of Hawaiʻi–West O‘ahu this spring! Join the UH West Oʻahu band, sing with the Kapolei Chorale | University Chorus, or “kani ka pila” in the Hawaiian Ensemble. Here are details on UH West Oʻahu’s music offerings:
University Band
The UH West O‘ahu University Band welcomes new members as the band, which started in January 2014, begins its sixth year at the university. Chadwick Kamei, Pearl City High School director of bands, and leader of the award-winning Pearl City High School “Charger” Marching Band, will teach the UH West O‘ahu University Band (MUS 419) course along with legendary Band Master Michael Nakasone.
Eligible band members include:
- UH West Oʻahu students, faculty, staff, and community members with band experience
- O‘ahu high school band junior or senior students participating in the Department of Education Running Start program that offers simultaneous high school and college credit, or Early Admission program that offers college credit only
- Hawai‘i State Department of Education teachers taking MUS 419 for teacher reclassification credit
All band members will receive UH West Oʻahu course credit for University Band MUS 419. Weekly instruction begins Wednesday, Jan. 15, and will take place in the Pearl City High School band room from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. High school students interested in joining the UH West O‘ahu band should speak with their college counselor about applying for the Running Start or Early Admission program. All interested participants should contact Pearl City High School Director of Bands Chadwick Kamei at ckamei@hawaii.edu to schedule an audition. For all other questions, contact UH West Oʻahu Associate Professor of Music Dr. Jon Magnussen at jonmagnu@hawaii.edu.
Kapolei Chorale | University Chorus
The Kapolei Chorale | University Chorus (MUS 114), under the direction of Justin Kaʻupu, also welcomes new members for its spring 2020 season. Weekly rehearsals begin on Monday, Jan. 13, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at UH West Oʻahu. The University Chorus welcomes community musicians in addition to UH West Oʻahu students, faculty, and staff. Members will spend the term singing choral literature from the Renaissance to the present, improving vocal technique, musicianship, and listening and ensemble skills. The ability to read music is not required.
Highlights of the spring semester include the “E Hīmeni Kākou” spring collegiate choral festival, when more than 300 singers from campuses all over the island unite to sing for and with each other, the annual Kapolei Choral Festival of Hawaiian choral music in April and the Spring Commencement ceremony. For more information, contact UH West Oʻahu Associate Professor of Music Dr. Jon Magnussen at jonmagnu@hawaii.edu or Choral Director Justin Kaʻupu at jkaupu@hawaii.edu.
Hawaiian Ensemble
The UH West Oʻahu Hawaiian Ensemble (MUS 211/MUS 311) is open to all students who can sing or play an instrument. Directed by Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award-winning kumu Bobby Moderow, students work in small groups on Tuesday and Thursdays from 2 to 3:20 p.m. to create arrangements in the nahenahe (sweet, gentle) style and practice group performances, honing their kani ka pila (style of Hawaiian music produced in a group setting during an impromptu jam session) skills as collaborative musicians. During the semester, students perform with a well-known local Hawaiian music artist. Past artists have included Kawika Kahiapo, Kamuela Kimokeo, and Jerry Santos.
For more information, contact Bobby Moderow at moderow@hawaii.edu or UH West Oʻahu Associate Professor of Music Dr. Jon Magnussen at jonmagnu@hawaii.edu.
University Strings
The newest UH West Oʻahu ensemble begins weekly rehearsals on Thursday, Jan. 16, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on the UH West Oʻahu campus. Under the direction of Dr. Jon Magnussen, the ensemble performs string orchestra literature from a variety of eras, and members will improve instrumental technique, musicianship, and ensemble skills. The ensemble is open to community members as well as high school members who play the violin, viola, cello, or double bass (ownership or rental of an instrument is required; one double bass is available for on-campus rehearsal). The ensemble also welcomes O‘ahu high school students participating in the Early Admission program that offers college credit only, and Hawai‘i State Department of Education teachers taking MUS 410H for teacher reclassification credit.
For more information, contact UH West Oʻahu Associate Professor of Music Dr. Jon Magnussen at jonmagnu@hawaii.edu.