From Paris in 1935 to Honolulu in 2025

The Sound That Sparkled for Tchaikovsky 

The celesta is an instrument like no other—an enchanting hybrid of piano and glockenspiel that Tchaikovsky described as “divinely magical.” Its shimmering tones became immortalized in The Nutcracker’s “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy,” a piece that would lose its sparkle without this one-of-a-kind sound. 

At the Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra, we rely on the celesta every holiday season - and throughout the year - for Mahler, Debussy, Stravinsky, and more. But our celesta has fallen silent. After decades of use, it is broken beyond repair. 

Now, thanks to a rare opportunity, we’re thrilled to welcome a 1935 Mustel celesta, the gold standard of this iconic instrument, handcrafted in France and lovingly maintained in Boston for nearly a century. It has made it's way to Hawai'i, but we need your help to truly welcome it home!

Chime in for the Celesta Challenge

To kickstart the effort to fund our celesta, our President and CEO Amy Iwano has made a leadership gift of $2,500 toward the purchase and transport of this extraordinary instrument. We’re calling on our symphony ‘ohana to raise the final $7,500 needed to bring this musical treasure to the stage.

Your support will help restore a sound that’s delighted audiences for generations.

Help us give this beautiful instrument a new chapter in with your Hawai'i Symphony Orchestra, where it will continue to inspire musicians and concertgoers for years to come. With your help, we can restore the sparkle that the celesta's sound brings to us all!