Monday, August 30, 2010

Traditional Hawaiian Dance Music: The Hula

By Andrew Tucker

Hula music is one of the great cultural icons of Hawaii that has been passed from generation to generation, ensuring its unique style remains true to its origins.

Hawaii's rich culture includes many forms of artistic expression; one of these is the dance known to us as the Hula. The Hula is a functional dance form, which is not only lovely to look at, but whose graceful, flowing movements were meant to communicate Hawaiian mythology, genealogy and mysticism to its audience.

In Hawaii there is a regional music industry and a number of styles of popular music, hula has even had an affect on other types of music such as country, with the introduction of the steel guitar. Although Hawaiian pop music is influenced by American pop, you can still see certain Hawaiian influences that have manged to remain.

The traditional music also finds expression in the modern institutions of the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra which was created in 1900 and, as the oldest organized orchestra in the Western US, has been active in preserving Hawaii's musical heritage. The orchestra is affiliated with other organizations such as the Hawaii Opera Theatre and the Oahu choral Society's Honolulu Symphony Chorus.

The old traditions of Hula have had a far reaching impact on today's islands. Many modern musical institutions in Hawaii are heavily influenced by this music. Like the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra, which was established in 1900, making it the oldest symphony orchestra in the United States. Other successful music ventures include the Hawaii Opera Theatre and the Oahu Choral Society's Honolulu Symphony Chorus.

The cultural heritage of the Hawaiian people is preserved largely within the scope of their traditional music and dance, which, though not immune to the influences of a modern music market, has nevertheless retained its "Island Feel" through the incorporation of traditional hula movements and native chanting.

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