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Home Class Act Make music at UH West Oʻahu this Fall

Make music at UH West Oʻahu this Fall

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The UH West Oʻahu Chorus, under the direction of Justin Kaupu, is looking for members. Image courtesy of UHWO Staff

Join the University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu University Band, play with the University Strings, sing with the University Chorus, and play and sing mele Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian music) with the Hawaiian Ensemble at UH West Oʻahu this fall.

University Chorus

The UH West Oʻahu University Chorus (MUS 114), under the direction of Justin Kaʻupu, welcomes new members for its fall 2019 season. Monday rehearsals run from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at UH West Oʻahu. The University Chorus welcomes community and high school musicians in addition to UH West Oʻahu students, faculty and staff. Members will spend the term singing a variety of beautiful choral music, improving vocal technique, musicianship, and listening and ensemble skills. The ability to read music is not required.

This semester, the University Chorus will be joined by the Kapolei Chorale in rehearsals and performance, a union which promises to be an exciting and fulfilling one. A highlight of the fall semester is the holiday concert, an end-of-semester collaboration with the University Band, University Strings, and the Hawaiian Ensemble.

For more information, view the Music website at https://westoahu.hawaii.edu/music/chorus/ or contact Choral Director, Justin Kaʻupu at jkaupu@hawaii.edu or Associate Professor of Music, Dr. Jon Magnussen, at jonmagnu@hawaii.edu.

University Band

The UH West O‘ahu University Band welcomes new members as the band rounds out 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 co-teach the UH West O‘ahu University Band (MUS 419) course with maestro Michael Nakasone, former bandmaster of the Royal Hawaiian Band. 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 and
  • Hawai‘i State Department of Education teachers taking MUS 419 for teacher reclassification credit.

Instruction will take place in the Pearl City High School band room on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 – 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.

View a video performance of the UH West Oʻahu band rehearsing for the UH West O‘ahu Winter Concert.

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 winner, kumu Bobby Moderow of Maunalua, students work in small groups on Tuesday and Thursdays from 12:30-1:50 p.m. to create arrangements in the nahenahe (sweet, gentle) style and practice group performances, honing their kani ka pila (style of Hawaiian music playing in an impromptu group jam session) skills as collaborative musicians.

For more information, please contact Associate Professor of Music, Dr. Jon Magnussen, at jonmagnu@hawaii.edu

University Strings

The UH West Oʻahu University Strings (MUS 410H), now in its second year, performs beautiful string orchestra literature from a variety of eras, including new work from today’s composers and arrangements of well-loved tunes. Fall rehearsals are Thursdays at 6:30-8:30pm in Room D-237 and continue through December 6. Highlights of the University Strings fall semester include a Winter Concert.

For more information, view the Music website at https://westoahu.hawaii.edu/music/strings/ or contact Associate Professor of Music, Dr. Jon Magnussen, at jonmagnu@hawaii.edu.

To apply to UH West Oʻahu, visit westoahu.hawaii.edu, call (808) 689-2900 or email uhwo.admissions@hawaii.edu.

The UH West Oʻahu Chorus, under the direction of Justin Kaupu, is looking for members. Image courtesy of UHWO Staff