E Mele Kakou (Let's Sing)

This program is generously funded by The Atherton Family Foundation; The Cooke Foundation; Hawai`i Community Foundation, Okumura Fund

Ma o na keiki, e mau ai, ka ike ku`una o ka lahui (Through our children we perpetuate our knowledge and heritage).

The Hawai`i Youth Opera Chorus and the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame have collaborated to provide an exceptional Hawaiian music educational opportunity for O`ahu fourth and fifth grade students and their teachers.

E Mele Kakou - Let's Sing" provide the basics of music through choral music with the exclusive use of Hawaiian literature. The participating students will master important performance and choral basics while focusing on the music and poetry composed by Hawai`i's ali`i (royalty). This six-week program includes instruction on music theory, Hawaiian history, hula and Bel Canto singing technique. This program culminates with a tour of Iolani Palace and a performance with the Royal Hawaiian Band.

Our primary objective is to enhance musical and cultural understanding, emphasizing Hawaiian culture and healthy singing techniques. The ultimate goal of this program is for classroom teachers to absorb the curriculum and be able to teach their future students.