E Komo Mai!

Welcome to the NEW Pearl City High School Band Webpage!

This site is intended to be a communication tool for band students and parents.

Please check back regularly throughout the year for information regarding the PCHS bands.

Feel free to navigate through our site to learn more about our unique program.

Mahalo nui loa!

About the Pearl City High School Band (Current as of May 14 2009):

Presented through the auspices of the State of Hawai'i, Department of Education, Patricia Hamamoto, Superintendent; the Pearl City High School Music Performing Arts Learning Center, Ms. Carlyn Fujimoto, Principal; Directors Chadwick Kamei, Cathy Momohara, and Christopher Lopez, the Pearl City High School Band shines as an exemplary program in the public schools. The school is located on the island of Oahu, the "Gathering Place", where the city of Honolulu and district of Waikiki are found. Situated on the slopes of the magnificent Ko'olau range, the school's campus overlooks historic Pearl Harbor. From this beautiful setting comes one of the most outstanding music programs in the country.

The Pearl City High School "Charger" Marching Band recently returned from an exciting performance at the Beijing International Olympic Youth Festival this summer. The band brought the spirit of Aloha to the people of Beijing and helped to kickoff a yearlong celebration for the 2008 Olympic Games. The band also returned to the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California for the 2006 "It's Magical" celebration; having marched in 1980, 1984, 1996 and the millennium 2000 celebration. The marching band was fortunate enough to participate in the 2001 Macy*s Thanksgiving Day Parade to honor the city of New York, its heroes, and its citizens. Previous appearances by the band in this world famous event have been in 1989 and 1993. The Chargers have also performed in the Hollywood Christmas Parade in Hollywood, California (2003), and the Ginza Parade in Tokyo, Japan (1986) as well as the annual Aloha Week Floral Parade in Honolulu, Hawaii. In 1997, the band performed the complete half-time show at the Kelly Tires Blue and Gray Christmas Day All-Star Game in Montgomery, Alabama. It has performed half-time shows at University of Hawaii football games since 1976 and has participated in the NFL Pro Bowl half-time from 1980 through 2000. In December 1999, the band presented the halftime show at the first annual Hawaii State Football Championship and in 2002, at the First Hawaiian Football Classic. Performances by the band are noted for excitement, energy and entertainment.

Also recognized as one of the premier concert band programs in the nation, the program's Symphonic Winds performed at the 2009 Hamamatsu International Band Festival in Hamamatsu, Japan. The band received glowing reviews by the judges and directors for our outstanding performance. The last appearance at the Hamamatsu Festival was in 2001 under the baton of Maestro Michael Nakasone. Past performances of this group have included appearances at the Mid-West Instrumental Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, Illinois (1990), the American School Band Directors Association Convention (1990, 2001), the American Bandmasters Association/Japan Bandmasters Association Convention (1993), and the 1998 Music Educators National Conference Biennial Convention in Phoenix, Arizona. A frequent guest soloist and good friend of the band is internationally recognized trumpet virtuoso Allen Vizzutti, and featured local artists have included Noel Okimoto, Tim Tsukiyama, Abraham Lagrimas Jr., Scott Villiger, Michael Zonshine, and Todd Yukumoto. From the John Philip Sousa Foundation, the band received the Sudler "Flag of Honor" in 1992 and the Legion of Honor Award in 1994. The Sudler Award is especially dear to the program, as this international honor is the highest recognition of excellence in concert band performance that can be earned by a high school band in the United States, Canada, and Japan. In 1998, members of the Symphonic Band appeared as guests with the Honolulu Symphony under the baton of Maestro Samuel Wong. Under the direction of Mr. Chadwick Kamei, the program has had the opportunity to work with various outstanding conductors and music professionals. They include, Dr. Jerry F. Junkin (University of Texas at Austin), Dr. Barry Kopetz (Capital University), Mr. Takayoshi "Tad" Suzuki (UNLV), Mr. Thomas Leslie (UNLV), Mr. Grant Okamura (University of Hawaii), Mr. Brandt Payne (University of Hawaii), Mr. Thomas Bingham (University of Hawaii), and Mr. Wataru Hokoyama (Composer).

Band Data

Currently enrolled in band-sponsored programs: 238 students

Events/Major Performances

• 2007 - Beijing International Olympic Youth Festival-Beijing, China
• 2006, 2000, 1996, 1984, 1980 - Tournament of Roses Parade-- Pasadena, CA
• 2003 - Hollywood Christmas Parade
• 2002 - First Hawaiian Football Classic halftime show
• 2001, 1989, 1993 - Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade-- New York, NY
• 1999 - 1st Annual Hawaii State Football Championship halftime show
• 1997 - Blue and Gray Classic-- Montgomery, AL
• 1986 - Ginza Parade-- Tokyo, Japan
• 1980 - 2000 - Pro Bowl
• University of Hawaii halftime shows since 1976
• 2000-- UH-UNLV, November 11
• 1996-- UH-Wyoming
  

Concert Band

• 2009 Hamamatsu International Band Festival, Hamamatsu, Japan
• 2006 Royal Hawaiian Band, special guest artists-Honolulu, HI
• 2005 Canadian Tour, Alberta/University of Calgary Symphonic Band
• 2005 HMEA State Conference-- Honolulu, HI
• 2003 Canadian Tour, Squamish Nation/West Vancouver Youth Band
• 2001 ASBDA National Convention-- Honolulu, HI
• 2001 Hamamatsu International Band Festival, Hamamatsu, Japan
• 1998 Honolulu Symphony subscription series special guests
• 1998 MENC National Convention-- Phoenix, AZ
• 1997 HMEA State Conference-- Honolulu, HI
• 1993 ABA/JBA Convention-- Honolulu, HI
• 1990 ASBDA Convention-- Honolulu, HI
• 1990 Mid-West Band and Orchestra Clinic-- Chicago, IL
  

Annual Events

• Leeward District Band Festival
• Oahu Band Directors Association Events
• Solo and Ensemble
• Parade of Stage Bands
• Parade of Bands
• Select Bands
• Aloha Week Floral Parade
• Menehune Classic (Moanalua H.S.)
• Oahu Marching Band Festival
• Rainbow Invitational Marching Band Festival
• Kamehameha Tournament of Bands
• Trojan Band Festival (Mililani H.S.)
• Pearl City Community Christmas Parade
• Gentry Community Christmas Parade
  

School Activities

• Open House
• Football Games
• Special Presentations