MĀLAMA
YEAR
2018
INSTRUMENTATION
Orchestral Version:
3(3.picc).3(3.eh).3(3.bass).3(3.contra)/
4.3.3.1/Timp+2/Hp/Str
Wind Band Version
3(3.picc).2.3.2(bc).2.2.1.1
3.4.3.1.1/Timp+4
DURATION: 4 minutes
FIRST PERFORMANCE
May 9, 2018;
Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra
Jeffrey Boeckman, conductor
PROGRAM NOTE
Over a hundred endemic birds once inhabited the Hawaiian Islands. Today, few residents of the Hawaiian Islands have even seen a native forest bird. Hawai‘i’s native birds continue to face a number of threats through diseases, loss of habitat, and competition with non-native species. Because surviving endemic forest bird species represent a considerable value to both the integrity of Hawai‘i’s natural ecosystems as well as cultural and intrinsic value, it is important to educate the importance of learning how to protect them.
Coordinated by composer Takuma Itoh, Symphony of the Hawaiian Birds brings together six Hawai’i composers (Takuma Itoh, Michael-Thomas Foumai, Daniel Houglum, Jon Magnussen, Thomas Osborne and Donald Reid Womack) collaborating with visual artists to create a symphony program to educate Hawai’i’s youth on the history of native birds and what can be done to stem the tide of extinction.
Mālama (To Care For) is the final movement and a call to action. Bringing together art drawn by children across the state of Hawaiʻi and inspired by what we can do to protect our birds, a sweeping melody voices the message of our young artists and gives rise to a strong and repeating fanfare; a mantra that we must care and protect our very special bird friends.
For more information of the the complete work and educational program:
Watch the entire symphony with animation:
Hawaii Symphony Orchestra Performance
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Wind Ensemble Performance
PERFORMANCE HISTORY
March 1, 2020: University of Hawaiʻi Wind Ensemble; Jeffrey Boeckman, conductor
February 26, 2020: Utah Symphony Orchestra; Connor Gray Covington, conductor
February 25, 2020: Utah Symphony Orchestra; Connor Gray Covington, conductor
February 24, 2020: Utah Symphony Orchestra; Connor Gray Covington, conductor
February 24, 2020: University of Hawaiʻi Wind Ensemble; Jeffrey Boeckman, conductor
February 23, 2020: University of Hawaiʻi Wind Ensemble; Jeffrey Boeckman, conductor
February 12, 2020: Utah Symphony Orchestra; Connor Gray Covington, conductor
February 11, 2020: Utah Symphony Orchestra; Connor Gray Covington, conductor
November 5, 2019: Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra; Jeffrey Boeckman, conductor
October 17, 2019: Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra; Jeffrey Boeckman, conductor (2 performances)
November 14, 2018: Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra; Jeffrey Boeckman, conductor
November 1, 2018: Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra; Jeffrey Boeckman, conductor (2 performances)
October 31, 2018: Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra; Jeffrey Boeckman, conductor (2 performances)
May 9, 2018: Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra; Jeffrey Boeckman, conductor (2 performances)

SYMPHONY OF THE HAWAIIAN BIRDS
Movement 6 - Mālama
Music: Michael-Thomas Foumai
HAWAIʻI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Conductor: Jeffrey Boeckman
Artworks submitted by young students (grades 4-12) of Hawai‘i for the "Mālama Hawaiian Forest Birds!" Art contest for Spring 2018.
SYMPHONY OF THE HAWAIIAN BIRDS
Movement 6 - Mālama
Music: Michael-Thomas Foumai
HAWAIʻI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Conductor: Jeffrey Boeckman
Artworks submitted by young students (grades 4-12) of Hawai‘i for the "Mālama Hawaiian Forest Birds!" Art contest for Fall 2018.
SYMPHONY OF THE HAWAIIAN BIRDS
Movement 6 - Mālama
Music: Michael-Thomas Foumai
HAWAIʻI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Conductor: Jeffrey Boeckman
Artworks submitted by young students (grades 4-12) of Hawai‘i for the "Mālama Hawaiian Forest Birds!" Art contest for Spring 2019.
SYMPHONY OF THE HAWAIIAN BIRDS [WIND BAND VERSION]
Movement 6 - Mālama
Music: Michael-Thomas Foumai
UNIVERSITY OF HAWAIʻI AT MĀNOA WIND ENSEMBLE
Conductor: Jeffrey Boeckman
Art: Compilation of artwork from the keiki of Kaua’i Audio from March 1, 2020 live concert performance
MAKING OF THE SYMPHONY OF THE HAWAIIAN BIRDS