The Honolulu Symphony may have discovered some hidden talent in the kids at Nanakuli Elementary School.

As they belted out notes on the trumpet, tuba and French horn for the first time, some produced astounding results, said Jon Magnussen, director of education and community outreach for the Honolulu Symphony.

“;A handful of the students gave our musicians a surprise because of the immediate, raw talent,”; Magnussen said. “;Here they were, trying the instruments for the first time, and according to our musicians, they had the sound of someone who had been taking lessons for over two years.”;

Nanakuli is the first school chosen for the symphony's Music Acceleration Program, which gives fourth-, fifth- and sixth-graders access to regular lessons with symphony staff and musicians. They learn to play recorder and read music, and are introduced to five symphony ensembles: string quartet, wind quartet, brass quintet, percussion trio and a mixed ensemble with harp.

At the end the program, the students will perform with the full orchestra in a concert at Blaisdell Concert Hall on April 29.

Ten-year-old Ka'aina Keohokapu had a chance to play the tuba and trumpet. “;It's pretty hard but it's fun,”; he said. “;Music makes me happy and excited.”;

“;We created a program which emphasizes actual music making, not just passive listening,”; Magnussen said.

He hopes that students reap an array of benefits from an increased sense of self-worth to perseverance and the skills to deal with ambiguity and solve problems.

“;There are also indications that musical training can improve the brain's processing of the spoken word and enhance the reading ability of children with dyslexia and other reading problems,”; he said. “;Music is an essential component of each child's academic, cognitive and social development.”;

The MAP curriculum was adapted from the Weill Music Institute of Carnegie Hall's Community LinkUP! Program. A review will be conducted at the end of the school year, and MAP could expand to schools in outlying and historically underserved areas.

“;It's really too early to tell how this program will affect the children's lives, but every once in a while I see a difference in them,”; said Magnussen.

Wendy Takahashi, Nanakuli Elementary School principal, is not surprised by the results. “;The kids know that they are receiving quality teaching. It's an opportunity for teaching basic fundamental skills, performing and composing ... real-life stuff.”;

She's heard from parents of a child who came home and asked to use a cereal box as a percussion instrument. “;The music education has prompted discussions on using ordinary, everyday items to make music.”;