Mar. 5, 2025

Kamehameha Schools Hawaiʻi was excited to once again host the East Hawaiʻi Honor Band Concert this past Sunday, March 2. The full concert is now available to watch on our Kamehameha Schools YouTube channel. 

The Honor Band comprised of talented students from middle and high schools throughout East Hawaiʻi. Participating students are from Hilo High and Intermediate, Waiākea High and Intermediate, Keaʻau High and Middle, Pāhoa High and Intermediate and our own Kamehameha Schools Hawaiʻi High and Middle Schools. It's an exciting experience for these outstanding performing arts students to spend a week learning from exceptional guest conductors and getting to work with their peers from different schools in their community.

The Middle School Honor Band was under the direction of guest conductor Bill Wynn, who serves as the Director of Bands at Heritage High School in Ringgold, GA.

Middle School Band Repertoire:

• X Factor by Michael Oare
• Salvation is Created arr. By Michael Brown
• Hobbit Dance by Len Orcino
• All the Pretty Little Horses arr. By Anne McGinty
• Dark Fortress Overture by Rob Grice

The High School Honor Band was under the direction of Dr. Jacqueline Dawson, who is currently an Associate Professor and the Director of Bands at the University of Manitoba.

High School Band Repertoire:

• Infinity by Katahj Copley
• Greek Folk Song Suite by Franco Cesarini
• The Grace in Being by Julie Giroux
• Diamond Tide by Viet Cuong
• Albanian Dance by Shelley Hanson

There was also a mass combined band, which was directed by KS Hawaiʻi high school band director Willie Harris. The students combined to perform "Kuʻu Pua Paoakalani", by Queen Lili`uokalani. arr. by Herb Mahelona.

Mahalo to our fantastic guest conductors, to all of the participating students and band directors, and to all of the ʻohana who packed Lunalilo on Sunday to support our students. We hope to see you all again on April 4 for the Kamehameha Band Festival!