Join us for an incredible weekend of music!
Pacific Music Institute is excited to present an unbeatable lineup of concerts this July, showcasing the remarkable talents of both our students and faculty. From intimate chamber music to grand symphonic performances, PMI 2025 promises to be an inspiring celebration of all things music, happening July 11-13, 2025. Be sure to save these dates!
Faculty Chamber Music Concert
Friday, July 11, 2025 | 7:30PM | Seto Hall at ʻIolani School | $25
Our concert series kicks off with a highly anticipated event: our Faculty Concert! This show is always a huge hit, bringing together PMI’s extraordinary faculty – a mix of accomplished musicians from right here in Hawai‘i and all around the globe – to perform in various chamber ensembles.
What makes this concert so special? It’s a rare chance to see these talented educators and performers step into unique groups with their friends and colleagues. While you might spot a classic string quartet or two, be prepared for some delightful surprises as our faculty showcases their artistic mastery across a wide range of styles and instrument combinations.
PMI 2025 Violin Faculty, Clara Kim, describes the incredible Faculty Concert experience:
I played the string quartet with 3 of my friends and that was really amazing. It was a very difficult piece and we put it together in a very short amount of time. I think because we all trust each other and have a great friendship we really just enjoy the experience of being able to play with each other. It came together really fast and it was such a joy to be able to play. I love hearing everybody else too in their own little groups.
From intricate string quartets to lively woodwind ensembles, and from timeless classical pieces to exciting jazz pieces, this concert truly highlights the musical versatility and brilliant skills our faculty are known for. And the intimate setting of Seto Hall? It’s the perfect spot to experience these performances up close and personal. Ms. Kim also explains a fun improvisation that the faculty concert participants put together last year:
At the end we did a group improvisation and that was really fun. I love doing that kind of stuff because you just never know what's going to happen and I think that's one of the cool things about being on stage. You just never know what that particular day is going to be and I think that's one of the really exciting things about music making.
Heads up! The Faculty Concert sells out fast every year – a testament to both our amazing faculty and the engaging programs they create. Don’t miss out on experiencing chamber music at its absolute finest!
String Quartet Concert
Saturday, July 12, 2025 | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM | Seto Hall at ‘Iolani School | $12
Saturday morning invites you to dive into the beautiful and intricate world of string quartet music. Our dedicated students, who’ve been honing their skills throughout our intensive program, will share their incredible growth through captivating quartet performances. Past concerts have included favorites by Vivaldi, Beethoven, Mozart, Prokofiev, and more!
‘Ukulele Workshop; Winds, Brass, and Percussion Chamber Ensembles Concert
Saturday, July 12, 2025 | 2:00 – 3:30 PM | Seto Hall at ‘Iolani School | $12
Saturday afternoon is going to be a real treat with a two-part musical showcase! We’ll kick things off with our amazing ‘Ukulele Workshop students, who will be ready to demonstrate their new skills on Hawai‘i’s beloved instrument. Get ready for some delightful tunes!
Then, we’ll transition to the rich sounds of our Winds, Brass, and Percussion Chamber Ensembles. It’s a wonderful mix of musical styles and textures, truly highlighting all the incredible talent growing at PMI! Last year, we enjoyed musical excerpts from beloved Disney and Studio Ghibli films, alongside Hawaiian classics like “Lahainaluna” by Kuiokalani Lee. If you’ve got a young musician in your family, this concert is sure to entertain and inspire them!
Then, we’ll transition to the rich sounds of our Winds, Brass, and Percussion Chamber Ensembles. It’s a wonderful mix of musical styles and textures, truly highlighting all the incredible talent growing at PMI! Last year, we enjoyed musical excerpts from beloved Disney and Studio Ghibli films, alongside Hawaiian classics like “Lahainaluna” by Kuiokalani Lee. If you’ve got a young musician in your family, this concert is sure to entertain and inspire them!
String Orchestra, Freestyle String Ensemble, and Jazz Intensive Concert
Sunday, July 13, 2025 | 12:30 PM | Seto Hall at ‘Iolani School | $12
Sunday kicks off with a super dynamic concert featuring three distinct ensembles! Our String Orchestra will bring you classical favorites, while the Freestyle String Ensemble explores exciting new approaches to string performance. And to round out the program, our Jazz Intensive students will ignite the stage with vibrant, improvisational pieces that really show off their creativity and technical flair!
Spoiler alert: last year premiered the coolest collaboration between Freestyle String Ensemble and our Jazz Intensive groups! Maybe, if we’re lucky, we’ll get to see more string + jazz combos at this year’s concert.
Middle School All-State Band Concert
Sunday, July 13, 2025 | 3:00 PM | Seto Hall at ‘Iolani School | $12
Our middle-school musicians take center stage on Sunday afternoon! They’ll be showing off the impressive foundations they’ve built during their time at PMI. These middle school students, nominated by their school’s band directors, will present a program that highlights their rapidly growing musical abilities. You’ll be amazed!
HSO x PMI Side-by-Side Concert: A Historic Collaboration
Sunday, July 13, 2025 | 7:00 PM | Blaisdell Concert Hall | Free, unticketed
The PMI 2025 concert series culminates with a history-making performance at the Blaisdell Concert Hall. For the very first time, PMI students will share the stage with professional musicians from the Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra in a very special side-by-side concert!
While the Hawai‘i Youth Symphony has a long-standing tradition of side-by-side performances with HSO during the school year, this summer marks an extraordinary debut – bringing together local professionals and PMI students from around the world on the very same stage. It’s truly a moment in history for us, and we’re proud to be one of the only summer music programs in the country to be able to offer this special experience.
This amazing collaboration will be led by two distinguished conductors:
Dane Lam, Music Director of the Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra, brings his international experience to this special performance. Born in Brisbane, Australia, Lam’s musical journey has taken him from the University of Queensland to The Juilliard School and the Royal Northern College of Music. A protégé of the late Kurt Masur, Lam has conducted prestigious orchestras worldwide and was even instrumental in leading Australia’s orchestral revival after the COVID-19 lockdown.
Joseph Stepec, Artistic Director of the Pacific Music Institute, is an Associate Professor of Music at the University of Hawai‘i and is also the Director of Orchestral Activities and Youth Symphony I Conductor of the Hawai‘i Youth Symphony. His passionate commitment to arts education has helped countless students, and his close relationship with the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra makes him a frequent guest artist in their ʻOhana and Keiki Concert Series.
This side-by-side experience perfectly reflects the core values of both organizations. It gives our students invaluable insights into the world of professional music-making, offering them the extraordinary chance to perform in a professional setting with guidance from accomplished mentors. From arriving on time to sight-reading challenging music, students will learn professionalism in a truly supportive environment.
As Randy Wong, President & CEO of Hawai‘i Youth Symphony and an HSO musician himself, puts it: “This is an extraordinary commitment by both organizations to furthering music education and empowering Hawai‘i’s rising young musicians.” We couldn’t agree more!
Affordable Access to World-Class Performances
We’re passionate about making these exceptional concerts accessible to all music lovers! Individual tickets for the Faculty Chamber Music Concert are just $25. All other concerts at Seto Hall are $12 each. And for those who want to soak up all the music, we’re offering an All-Access Pass for just $35 – that gets you into every concert throughout the week! You can get tickets on our website.
The grand finale, the HSO x PMI Side-by-Side Concert at Blaisdell Concert Hall, is absolutely free, making this historic performance available for the entire community to enjoy! Due to anticipated high demand, please reserve your free seating prior to the concert. (Note that the website taking the ticket reservations belongs to the Hawaiʻi Theatre, but the concert is at Blaisdell Concert Hall). Don’t worry if you are unable to reserve in advance; we will have a block of FREE tickets available, first-come, first-served at the door!
Don’t miss out on this extraordinary week of music that celebrates both established artists and our incredible emerging talents. Join us at PMI 2025 for performances that will inspire, move, and connect us all through music! We can’t wait to see you there!