The kids at the Nanakuli Boys & Girls Club all know the tune by heart, but trying to play “Jingle Bells” on a violin is a new adventure for them.

“I never used strings of horse tail before, and I never used a bow before,” marveled an eager 10-year-old named Keahi. “It’s very fun! I learn new things every day.”

The violin lessons offered at the Nanakuli Clubhouse by the Hawaii Youth Symphony underscore its vision that “making music is a right, not a privilege.” The program is funded by a recent $25,000 PlayUSA grant from Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute to the youth symphony, the first such award for Hawaii.

“Music is for everybody,” said Randy Wong, youth symphony president, as he listened to the kids practicing the familiar Christmas carol and other songs. “It’s an opportunity all kids should have. I think music has this incredible power.”

“If kids can develop themselves through music,” he added, “it’s something that will stay with them for their entire lives, regardless of whether they become professional musicians. That’s not really the point. The point is that we believe every child can achieve through music.”

>> Photo Gallery: Hawaii Youth Symphony’s Music in the Clubhouse program

But not every child gets a chance to play an instrument, much less learn violin, especially in elementary school. Kau‘ionalani Mead, youth development director for the Nanakuli Clubhouse, is thrilled to see kids in her neighborhood get this early start.

“There’s so many talented people here in Hawaii, and we can kind of tap into that side of them,” Mead said. “I just appreciate the opportunity to make this available for the kids in this community so that they can know their gifts and they can share their gifts in the future.”

While music may be woven through island life, access to instruments and lessons is limited. Many public middle and high schools have strong instrumental music programs, but elementary schools often do not.

“We want to remove all the barriers,” Wong said. “We provide the instruments, we provide the music, we provide the safe space. They are already Boys & Girls Club members, so they are receiving all these other great services, the homework help, the mentorship, the intramural sports, all the things they need to be kids. And for an hour a week they can also come and make music.”

Mead says the beginning violin lessons can open a whole new world for the kids. She harked back to her experience when she decided to hone her talent as a singer by majoring in music in college.

“I just remember growing up hearing a lot of music, and when I went to college to get my degree, I had no idea that there were notes, a staff, rhythm and time,” she said. “I had no idea that those things even existed, because I learned by ear. So it was a huge shock to me.

“This program gives the kids the opportunity to understand there’s more to music than just what you’re listening to,” Mead said. “There’s mathematical formulas, so to speak. It teaches you so many different things. … They’re learning and they’re enjoying themselves.”

PlayUSA grants are awarded to community music organizations working with underserved and low- income youth across the country, according to Karen Cueva, manager for learning and engagement programs at Carnegie’s Weill Music Institute.

“We are a learning network of so many organizations across the U.S. that are providing music instruction,” Cueva said. “We are excited about opening up our network so there can be a mutual exchange on best teaching practices. We know the rest of the network will benefit, and also we hope so will the youth symphony.”

The Hawaii Youth Symphony, founded in 1964, offers students a chance to explore a wide variety of music. More than 700 students age 7 to 18 from more than 100 schools statewide take part in its programs each year.

The nonprofit has offered Music in the Clubhouse lessons for a decade at the Spalding Honolulu Clubhouse near Washington Middle School. Programs there include general music, ukulele, beginning band, string ensemble and orchestra.

The Carnegie grant allowed the expansion to Nanakuli with classes for kids age 7 to 9 and 10 to 12. The symphony is providing violins for students to borrow so they can practice at home.

“It’s fun but it’s also a challenge, the fact that you have to use the bow,” said 8-year-old Isabella.“It hurts my fingers sometimes.” But she was eager to keep going. “I like when it’s challenging!” she said.

(The Boys & Girls Club policy is not to publicize children’s last names.)

Talia Turnbull, coordinator of the youth symphony’s Academy String Program, is happy to make the drive to Nanakuli to teach her newest students.

“I love how much confidence it gives them to know they can play something like a violin,” Turnbull said. “Some of them didn’t know what a violin was until a few months ago, and now look at what they’re able to do.”

Some kids who got their start at the Spalding Clubhouse have gone on to become top performers. Violinist Bao Nguyen, 15, who now performs with the most advanced of Hawaii Youth Symphony’s orchestras, encourages others to give Music in the Clubhouse a try.

“It’s extremely accessible,” he said. “It was life- changing for me.”

Added his father, Hao Nguyen, “We had no idea about classical music until we sent him to Music in the Clubhouse. It seems like he fell in love with it.”

For now the Nanakuli kids are focused on preparing for their first performance at Ohana Night on Friday for family and friends.

“What happens if we fail?” one wary child asked the teacher.

“Keep going and they won’t know,” Turnbull advised. “Just pretend like it didn’t even happen, and they’ll never know.”