By Vivian Fang
[email protected]
Instead of basking in the lax of summer, Juniors Erin and Lauren Kim along with Sophomore Brendan Hiyane were occupied with building upon their musical ability. The trio spent seven weeks composing pieces and collaborating with other students at the Music & Songwriting Program from June 4 to July 20.
“It (was) one of the most amazing things I’ve ever done. Really, the best summer I’ve had so far,” expressed Hiyane.
The class was hosted by Ohana Arts, a non-profit organization that organizes various arts programs in an effort to inspire and engage people. The program features instructors from around the nation who are well established in various artistic fields, including Liz Piccoli, a choreographer, and Gordon Beeferman, an orchestral composer. However, in order to participate in the program, students had to audition by performing two contrasting pieces from a musical genre of their choice.
During the program, students spent most of their time learning about the basics of arrangements and composing their own pieces. They were taught to score by hand but were also allowed to use software like GarageBand and Sibelius to aid the process.
Aside from composition and songwriting, students got to attend a variety of elective classes, ranging from singing to acting. “Each day was different because we had not just composition. We had songwriting, we had the elective (and) we even had dance,” said Hiyane. “I liked the dancing because you got to participate with all the other fellows and all the other people there,” added Lauren Kim.
The program also dedicated time to breaking barriers and encouraging teamwork between students. “It’s a really rewarding experience,” said Lauren Kim, “You get to try so many things you wouldn’t normally try and you get to meet so many people you’re not used to.”
Towards the end of the program, students finalized their compositions and were able to perform them at the annual Ohana Arts Summer Musical Showcase on July 19 to 20 at Mamiya Theatre. “(I felt) satisfied,” said Erin Kim, “I get to express a part of me and I get to share it with everyone else.”
After the program, the Kim siblings, Hiyane and other students from the program formed a band called The Warm Pockets. The Warm Pockets have several gigs coming up, including a performance in Utah.
