HONOLULU – The Honolulu Symphony today launched a new, fundraising drive, ‘Hāna Laulima’ Honolulu Symphony – literally translated as, “Join hands to support the Honolulu Symphony!”  This innovative new support initiative is designed as an annual campaign, focused on securing multi-year commitments from friends and donors to provide a lasting solution to financial challenges and ensure that Hawai‘i effectively maintains the essential resource of a professional orchestra. 

Senator Daniel Inouye will serve as the Honorary Chair of the ‘Hāna Laulima’ campaign.

“We are challenging the community at large to rally support for the Honolulu Symphony - an irreplaceable and legendary arts organization that provides essential services to the State of Hawai‘i,” said Peter Shaindlin, Chairman of the Board and COO of  Halekūlani Corporation. 

“The Board of Directors has come together to conceive a coordinated campaign pyramidal in structure, that will provide a consistent and well-anchored financial platform upon which the future prosperity of the Honolulu Symphony may be realized” continued Shaindlin.  “Its three-tiered giving approach will diversify the donor base from a grass roots level, to core individual donors and major gifts by private and corporate donors.”

A significant portion of the initial funds raised will go to bridge the Symphony’s normal and ongoing operational expenses, including musician and staff payrolls, as well as costs of educational programs such as MAP (Music Acceleration Program) at Nānākuli Elementary.  There, Symphony musicians and staff support students with personalized instruction that strengthens each child’s listening skills while nurturing their enthusiasm for learning. At the culminating event for MAP, Nānākuli students will sing and perform on their recorders with the full orchestra at the Blaisdell Concert Hall on April 29, 2009.

"In these difficult times, the Musicians remain deeply committed to the HSO's essential mission of artistic excellence and broad-based community engagement.  The success of this multi-year campaign to secure the Symphony's immediate and long-term financial health will mean more great music and music education for the entire community in the years to come," offered Musician’s Representative Stephen Dinion.

In addition to an its extensive education program, the Honolulu Symphony also just announced the Halekulani MasterWorks 2009-2010 Season, with a special pricing offer of 50 percent off season tickets for new subscribers.  Highlights include:

• Maestro Andreas Delfs, in his third season as principal conductor, opens the season with new music that is taking the country by storm: the Fleck-Meyer-Hussain Triple Concerto.
• Superstar violinist Anne Akiko Meyers joins the orchestra for a violin double-bill featuring Vaughan William’s Lark Ascending and Ravel’s Tzigane.
• International celebrity guest conductors Gerard Schwarz, John Nelson, Jorge Mester and Naoto Otomo join the Symphony for four exclusive concert weekends.
• Renowned pianist and NPR “From the Top” host Christopher O’Riley performs Beethoven’s dramatic Piano Concerto No. 1.
• Maestro Delfs leads the orchestra in the new Mostly Mozart festival, featuring Mozart’s final four symphonies and including the “Prague” and “Jupiter.”

HONOLULU SYMPHONY SEASON TICKETS – ON SALE NOW!

• Halekulani MasterWorks season ticket packages start from $198 for 12 concerts.
• Season ticket prices remain unchanged for the third season in a row.
• New patrons receive 50 percent off their selected season ticket package.
• Season ticket holders enjoy special benefits, including ticket exchanges, invitations to exclusive backstage events and priority seating.
• The Symphony’s family-friendly Sunday afternoon concerts, beginning at 4 p.m., continue to offer the perfect outing for all generations. Parents and grandparents are encouraged to share the concert experience with children and teens this season.

About Honolulu Symphony Music Education Initiatives
Honolulu Symphony music education initiatives offer schoolchildren and their teachers the opportunity to experience symphonic music making up-close. Musicians strive to help children become better learners by demonstrating how hard work and disciplined, sustained effort, such as practicing an instrument, can help them achieve excellence. In addition, performances serve as a model of community contribution.

At concerts, children see how teamwork skills and a sense of community help musicians to achieve a unified goal. The music performed also gives children a glimpse into other cultures, helping to develop an understanding of different traditions at an early age. For more information, visit www.honolulusymphony.com.

Honolulu Symphony Education and Outreach programs are made possible through support from:

• The State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, through appropriations from the Legislature of the State of Hawaii
• The National Endowment for the Arts
• The Weill Music Institute at Carnegie Hall
• Office of Hawaiian Affairs for the Nanakuli Elementary “MAP” (Music Acceleration Program")

Additional support for education touring programs is provided by Federal TANF Funds administered through the Hawai'i State Department of Human Services.

In addition, annual interest income is provided through the Honolulu Symphony Foundation’s permanent Endowment thanks to:

• The Bretzlaff Foundation’s Hazel Van Allen Fund
• The Cooke Foundation’s Dora Cooke Derby Educational Fund
• The Gaye S. Glaser Fund for Youth Music Education
• The William Randolph Hearst Endowed Fund for Youth Education Programs
• The Arthur and Mae Orvis Endowment Fund for the Honolulu Symphony

The Symphony also graciously acknowledges the generous support of The Mary D. and Walter F. Frear Eleemosynary Trust Fund for Youth Education Programs.