Nā Hōkū ‘Ōpio

YOUNG STARS

Shane Komeiji, 2024

Shane Komeiji, 2024

ABOUT

Nā Hōkū ‘Ōpio “Young Stars” is an annual competition for local youth musicians to play solo repertoire with the Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra in conjunction with the annual Starlight Festival.

High school students in their senior year (class of 2025) who are full-time residents of Hawai‘i are eligible to submit their audition recordings.

The competition is open to strings, voice, woodwinds, brass, percussion, and harp.

Celina Lim, 2023

Celina Lim, 2023

guidelines

  • Applicants MUST submit an application form first and receive piece approval before submitting the video submission form. Applicants will be notified starting March 1 about their piece approval or denial. 

  • The piece must be a concerto with an existing orchestral arrangement. 

  • Your piece must be less than 10 minutes.

  • You may perform multiple movements if the total duration is less than 10 minutes.

  • It is required to record your application with live accompaniment.

  • It is highly recommended to select works from the Baroque, Classical, and Early Romantic periods as applicable for piece approval. 

  • If selected, winner MUST be available from July 8 - July 23 for rehearsals and the performance.

Recording Guidelines

There is no requirement for a specific filming location. You can film your video in a practice room, living room, concert hall, recording studio, or any other suitable setting.

  • Ensure the camera is positioned so that both you and your instrument are clearly visible.

  • Recordings must be performed genuinely by you, without any editing or added effects such as reverb.

  • Make sure you can adequately hear your solo part over the accompaniment.

  • Avoid placing a pick-up microphone directly on your instrument.

Information packet

See below if you would like to download this year’s Nā Hōkū ‘Ōpio | Young Stars information packet for your classroom.

FAQs

  • The competition is only open to Hawai‘i High School Seniors from the Class of 2025, full-time residents of the State of Hawai‘i. The competition is open to strings, voice, woodwinds, brass, and percussion.

  • Applicants must first submit an application form with their contact information and piece information. After submitting the application form, applicants must receive approval on piece choice before submitting the video submission form. Applicants will be notified starting March 1 about their piece approval or denial. 

    Information Application Form Deadline: Friday, March 14, 2025
    Video Submission Form Deadline: Tuesday, April 15 2025

  • The winners will be announced Thursday, May 1, 2025.

  • Winner(s) must be available from July 8 - July 23, 2025 for rehearsals and the performance on the island of Oʻahu. The exact rehearsal and performance dates and location are yet to be confirmed.

  • The piece must be a concerto with an existing orchestral arrangement. There is not a set repertoire list. It is highly recommend to select works from the Baroque, Classical, and Early Romantic periods. We will not accept pieces that include harpsichord.

    Please submit an application form first to receive piece approval before submitting a video. Please allow at least 7 business days to receive an email response on piece approval or denial.

  • Your piece should be no longer than 10 minutes.

  • You may perform multiple movements if the total duration is less than 10 minutes.

  • Visit YouTube Help for instructions.

    —

    All recordings for the competition must be uploaded and submitted via YouTube links for adjudication. After your recording is finished, upload it as an “unlisted” video on YouTube, using the instructions below. You can do this through the YouTube App or on a computer.

    Video Format: YouTube accepts any of the following video formats: .MO, .MPEG4, MP4, .AVI, .WMV, .MPEGPS, .FLV, 3GPP and WebM.

    1. Record and upload your piece.

    2. Go to www.youtube.com and sign in. If you don’t already have an account, create one.

    3. Click the “UPLOAD” button at the top.

    4. Either click on the “Select files to upload” box and select your video file from your device or drag/drop your video file into the box.

    5. In the “Basic Info” screen, enter the appropriate title with the Student’s Name in the box where the filename appears.

    6. In the box below the title, enter the names of the piece and the composer’s name.

    7. Change the visibility setting from “Public” to “Unlisted” and click “Done.”

    8. Click “Save.”

    By submitting the video links, you are granting consent for these videos to be viewed by our judges for evaluation purposes.

  • Yes, we require a live accompanist performing the orchestral reduction for all video submissions.

Winners

  • Shane Komeiji, flute

    Cayne Hiraoka, alto saxophone

    Brian Park, cello

    Luke Watanabe, trombone

  • Ylang Guo, Violin

    Kenneth Hironaka, Flute

    Celina Lim, Cello

    Mira Tsunoda, Alto Saxophone

  • Pyotr Alvarado, Cello

    Matin Boulos, Double bass

    Emily Fujii, Oboe⁠

    HYS Advanced Contemporary Ensemble
    Elvis Imamura, Electric Guitar
    Austin Jim, Electric Bass
    Noah Chang, Drums

  • Mira Hu, Cello

    Erin Nishi, Violin

    Sophia Stark, Soprano