Music

Unlock your inner musician

Between classes, assemblies, school musicals, afternoon activities, and social events, we make music almost daily at HPA. In every grade, this is a place to find your voice and develop musical dexterity, regardless of your chosen instrument. Over the K-12 experience, students encounter many different genres and ensemble types, including solo, choral, a-capella; pop, classical, jazz, and musical theatre. Our hope for every student is a life rich with music appreciation and music-making.

Lower School

Our curriculum is designed to spark students’ musical abilities and affinities. At this age, singing, dancing, playing, and listening are all woven together, in specialized classes held twice a week. Students bring all their creative energy into grade-level musical theatre productions each year, plus a vibrant May Day showcase as part of their Hawaiian Studies class.

Middle School

In the middle grades, students increase their level of knowledge, analysis, and appreciation of music as an art form. They gain an overview of musical styles and the role music has played in cultures throughout the centuries. Students can choose from electives that include handbell choir, ‘ukulele, recorder, guitar and piano, or musical theatre. These beginner experiences lay the groundwork for advanced study in high school.

Upper School

Everyone takes art classes here, beginning with Foundations in the Arts, a semester-long course that introduces all ninth-grade students to one of three artistic disciplines at HPA: Visual Arts, Music, or Theater. Students explore foundational skills, materials, spaces, and creative processes within their selected discipline while building confidence and curiosity.

Our music program offers instruction in performance (instrumental and vocal), theory, and studio/production. For interested singers and instrumentalists, rehearsal and performance opportunities are available through Instrumental Ensemble, Evening Ensembles (Chamber Orchestra and Jazz Band), Fall Musical, and Chorus. Students seeking more academic or individualized pathways may also enroll in courses such as Songwriting & Lyricism, Musicianship, Acting through Song, and Studio Recording/Music Production. In addition, non-credit and student-led opportunities are available through our Lessons Program, music clubs (Rock Band and Glee Club), the Music Collaborative Co-Curricular, and the Fall Musical Pit Orchestra, which pairs HPA students and faculty with professional musicians from the Hawaiʻi Symphony and the Kamuela Philharmonic.