Make Music!
Take Advantage of the Benefits of Music!
Cognitive—Helps your brain function better, giving you an edge in the classroom. (“…children and adults with extensive musical training show enhanced executive function when compared to non-musicians, especially for cognitive flexibility, working memory, and processing speed.”– Psychology Today, 6/25/14)
Career—Helps you develop a talent that distinguishes you from the pack, and helps reinforce positive character traits sought by employers such as discipline, perseverance, teamwork, patience, self-control, problem solving, and empathy;
Social—Offers opportunities to meet new people (who are often interesting) and reconnect with old friends;
Psychological—The weekly rehearsal/class improves your mood, decreases stress, and reduces depression and anxiety by helping express what words cannot express.
All music performance and music writing courses help fulfill the Diversification Arts Requirements (DA) of the UH West Oʻahu General Education Core Requirements.
For questions, please contact Dr. Jon Magnussen.
Hawaiian Ensemble
Hawaiian Ensemble (MUS 311) and Intro to Hawaiian Ensemble (MUS 211) are open to all UH West Oʻahu students, faculty, staff, and community members with experience in singing or playing an instrument. Under the direction of Jon Magnussen, the ensemble meets in person and online, and performs and records Hawaiian mele from a variety of eras. Members grow their skills in singing and instrumental technique, musicianship, and listening and singing and playing in an ensemble.
Music Recording Lab
The D-249 Music Recording Lab gives students hand-on learning experience in studio recording workflow, featuring music industry standard equipment including digital and analog mixers, microphones, Mac-based DAWs (including Digital Performer and Pro Tools), and near range monitors.
University Band
The University Band (MUS 419), under the co-direction of Chadwick Kamei and Michael Nakasone, is open to all UH West Oʻahu students, faculty, staff, and community members with band experience. Also welcome are O‘ahu high school band junior or senior students participating in the Early Admission program that offers college credit only, and Hawai‘i State Department of Education teachers taking MUS 419 for teacher reclassification credit. The ensemble performs band literature from a variety of eras, including Hawaiian mele, and members will grow their skills in instrumental technique, musicianship, and listening and playing in an ensemble.
University Chorus
The University Chorus (MUS 114), under the direction of Jon Magnussen, is open to UH West Oʻahu students, faculty, staff, and community musicians including Early College high school students. The ensemble performs choral literature from the Renaissance to the present, including Hawaiian mele, and members improve vocal technique, musicianship, and listening and ensemble skills. The ability to read music is not required.
University Strings
The University Strings (MUS 410H) launches its third season this Fall 2020 under the direction of Jon Magnussen. The ensemble will perform string orchestra literature from a variety of eras, and members will improve instrumental technique, musicianship, and ensemble skills. The ensemble rehearses on the UH West Oʻahu campus on Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. during the fall semester, and 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.
