The new Hawaii Symphony Orchestra is launching its inaugural season this weekend.

Honolulu has been without a symphony orchestra since the 110-year-old Honolulu Symphony stopped performing in late 2009.

Before their first rehearsal Friday, Hawaii Symphony musicians gave their president an extended standing ovation.

About 55 musicians or two-thirds of the orchestra come from the defunct Honolulu Symphony.

The last time the musicians performed as the Honolulu Symphony was October 23rd, 2009.

"A few years ago we were dreaming about this day," said Steven Monder, Hawaii Symphony Orchestra president.

A Symphony Exploratory Committee reached an agreement with the musicians' union last year, to start a new symphony.

Musicians have 16-week contracts with a salary of $1,000 a week.

They'll play for Ballet Hawaii's Nutcracker and the Hawaii Opera Theatre.

Monder said the start-up symphony would not have been possible without the community's support.