On the Scene with Clarke Bright, bandmaster of Royal Hawaiian Band

Clarke Bright wasn’t sure what he wanted to do with his life when graduated from Damien Memorial High School. After several years of exploring different fields of study he decided that he wanted to be a teacher.

Bright got a degree in music from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. He taught music at Waimanalo Elementary and Intermediate School, and then at Kamehameha Schools. He then taught performing arts at New Hope Christian Fellowship, and music once again at Kamehameha.

And for more than 30 years he put his musical training to use working with his father, beloved local theater icon Ron Bright, in his father’s famed musical theater productions at Castle High School and then at Paliku Theatre.

Bright’s life took an unexpected turn in 2010 when he was appointed bandmaster of the Royal Hawaiian Band. Bright, 57, is in his eighth year as bandmaster.

What do you enjoy most about being bandmaster?

The community impact. Predominantly the Hawaiian community, but not just the Hawaiian community. There are so many diverse races here in Hawaii, and we are always playing at all of their cultural functions whether its the Filipino culture, the Vietnamese culture, Chinese, Korean or Japanese. We’re all over the place. And on top of that is the impact we have on people of all ages from preschool to people in adult day care and rehabilitation centers. The musicians are phenomenal, and that’s what really makes the band work.

On the average, how many performances does the band do each week?

For the past eight years we’ve averaged over 350 concerts a year. It’s not uncommon that we’ll do two or three a day. More often than not we’re outside — at Iolani Palace or Kapiolani Bandstand. For Hawaii there’s no other group of musicians who work harder.

Is there a performance that stands out for you?

We were at a rehab center and there was an elderly lady who came walking right in front of the band. We couldn’t start until she got to her seat, and it took quite some time before she sat down. About halfway through the concert we played a piece that she must have danced to before. She gets up off her walker, moves the walker aside and starts dancing hula to the song. And then when the song is done she labored back to her walker and sat back down.

How did you go from being a musician to being a conductor — and therefore able to lead a band?

At one of my dad’s shows the conductor had dropped out for whatever reason (and) he said, “You should do it.” I didn’t think I could do it but in typical Dad fashion he always believed in you more than you believed in yourself. It all started from those early days, and it really was because of his belief in me at that time.

Is there something you enjoy doing that isn’t music- or theater-related?

I love paddleboarding at Ala Moana Beach when it’s flat and you can see the honu — I just love it. It takes me away. I love to travel — I haven’t done it as much as I’d like to. And I also love to keep my dad’s legacy alive working with the I’m A Bright Kid Foundation. That’s a big part of my life as well. He is the biggest part of why I am who I am today.

What would you like to be doing in 10 years?

I would love to be conducting the Royal Hawaiian Band.