Our Purpose
Our MISSION is to rejuvenate and elevate music education in Hawai'i schools by cultivating a dynamic community that unites stakeholders, policymakers, and the public. We see a VISION of a future where music education is integral to every student’s life in Hawai'i, empowering them to pursue their musical passions and contribute to the state’s cultural and economic development—a world where music is part of the bare minimum.
Our Values
Community Engagement (Deep Red - Land): The land is deeply rooted in Hawaiian culture, just as community engagement is the foundation of AlohaMusic. Deep red represents the rich soil that nurtures and supports life, much like how the festival fosters a connected, supportive community of students, educators, and professionals, all working together to strengthen Hawaii’s musical heritage.
Advocacy (Yellow - Sands): The golden sands of Hawaii’s beaches are a meeting place where land and sea come together. Advocacy acts in the same way, bridging the needs of music education with policy and funding, ensuring that the festival's message reaches decision-makers. Like sands shaped by the tides, advocacy continuously evolves to support and protect music programs.
Innovation (Deep Blue - Ocean): The ocean is vast, dynamic, and ever-changing, symbolizing innovation. Like the deep blue waters surrounding Hawaii, innovation embraces new technologies, trends, and creative approaches in music education, allowing students to navigate the ever-evolving currents of the modern music industry and explore new horizons.
Cultural Preservation (Green - Mountains): The mountains stand tall and enduring, representing strength and continuity. Cultural preservation, like the lush green peaks of Hawaii, ensures that the rich traditions of Hawaiian music are safeguarded for future generations, standing firm as a testament to the island’s cultural heritage.
Education (Light Blue - Sky): Like the expansive and limitless sky, education provides students with boundless opportunities to grow, explore, and reach new heights in their musical journey. The sky symbolizes aspiration and the vast potential music education unlocks for students across Hawaii.
Our plan to rejuvenate and elevate music education in Hawai'i's schools
AlohaMusic rejuvenates music education in schools through a multi-faceted approach that combines advocacy, curriculum expansion, and direct support for school-based music programs. Its initiatives focus on ensuring music education remains a vibrant and integral part of Hawai'i’s schools by:
- Advocacy for Music Education Expansion
- Engaging policymakers and the public to push for increased funding and support for music education.
- Working with school districts and the University of Hawaii to increase the availability of music courses and teacher training programs.
- Lobbying for mandatory and funded music education in schools to ensure consistent opportunities for students.
- Reinforcing Traditional School-Based Ensembles
- Strengthening and supporting existing music programs, including band, orchestra, choir, and ukulele ensembles.
- Providing resources, mentorship, and professional development for music educators to enhance the quality and sustainability of school ensembles.
- Organizing festivals and showcase events to celebrate student musicians and their achievements.
- Expanding Music Course Offerings to Include the Music Industry
- Advocating for the integration of courses in music business, songwriting, and audio production to prepare students for careers in the music industry.
- Partnering with industry professionals to provide mentorship, guest lectures, and hands-on learning opportunities.
- Supporting schools in developing music technology programs that align with modern industry standards.
- Enhancing Culturally Relevant Music and Arts Education
- Promoting the inclusion of culturally significant music and art forms such as hula, slack-key guitar, Hawaiian chanting, and traditional percussion.
- Collaborating with cultural practitioners and educators to develop curriculum that honors and preserves Hawaii’s musical heritage.
- Ensuring that music education in Hawaii reflects the state’s diverse cultural traditions while preparing students for both artistic and economic opportunities.
- Conducting High-Quality, Ethical, Data-Driven Research
- Conducting research to measure how music education contributes to student success, workforce development, and the overall economy of Hawaii.
- Using data-driven insights to guide policy recommendations, ensuring evidence-based decisions that support the growth of music programs.
- Analyzing the success of music initiatives and identifying best practices to enhance the quality and sustainability of school-based music education.
Through these efforts, AlohaMusic is actively working to reverse the decline of music education in Hawai'i’s schools, ensuring that students have access to diverse, high-quality music learning experiences that connect them to both their culture and future career opportunities.
AlohaMusic elevates school music by celebrating, expanding, and strengthening music education across Hawaii through the following key initiatives:
- Celebrating What Schools Already Do Well
- Showcasing the success and excellence of existing school music programs through festivals, concerts, and public recognition.
- Highlighting the achievements of students and educators to reinforce the value of music education in schools and the broader community.
- Promoting the unique cultural and musical identity of Hawaii’s school ensembles, emphasizing their impact on students and communities.
- Providing Statewide and All-State Performance Opportunities
- Organizing festivals such as the Showcase of Music, which features school ensembles from across the state in non-competitive, feedback-driven performances.
- Establishing All-State performance groups to recognize top student musicians and provide them with elite musical experiences under the direction of renowned conductors and artists.
- Creating cross-island performance exchanges to connect students with peers from different schools and regions, fostering collaboration and musical growth.
- Providing Professional Development for Music Teachers
- Offering workshops, clinics, and mentorship programs to equip music educators with innovative teaching strategies and industry best practices.
- Connecting teachers with Hawaiian cultural practitioners to incorporate indigenous music and traditions into their curriculum.
- Facilitating partnerships with universities, industry professionals, and national organizations to ensure ongoing professional growth and sustainability in music education.
By focusing on these areas, AlohaMusic strengthens and enhances school music programs, ensuring that students and educators alike have access to the best possible resources, training, and performance experiences.
