I recently finished rewatching, for the second time, all seven seasons of “The West Wing” television series, when government was sane. The term, “What’s next?” is President Jed Bartlet’s signature phrase in The West Wing, used to signify moving forward, tackling the next challenge, and relentless dedication to the job. It is frequently used when finishing a task or meeting, serving as a verbal stake in the ground for the staff to move on together. 

Right now, I have a number of projects in the works:

Early Music Hawaii’s next concert is Saturday, March 21, and I’ve been working on creating the postcard, ticketing setup and program called “Melancholy and Mirth: The Music of John Dowland,” featuring the Early Music Hawaii Singers and Players, conducted by Scott Fikse. Guest artists are John Lenti, lute, and Carrie Shaw, soprano.

Just last night, EMH board members Bill Potter, Don Plondke and I affixed nearly 500 address labels to the postcards which arrived only yesterday.

Early Music Hawaii President Scott Fikse tasked me with researching guest ensembles for next season, and I’ve been corresponding with several groups. At the same time, I’ve also been writing to a potential Rising Star recitalist for next year’s Hawaii Chapter American Guild of Organists.

I just washed the sheets and towels for the guest room, which reminds me of the great time I had getting to know my last houseguests, Joy-Leilani Garbutt and her husband, Zach Ullery, who were here for our annual AGO concert. All of the music she played was unfamiliar to me but quite beautiful. After the concert, I took them for a quick tour of the Pali Lookout before joining other AGO board members for dinner at Assaggio’s. We said not “goodbye” but “see you in Atlanta” where I’m going to the conference of the Association of Anglican Musicians in June. Besides Joy-Leilani and Zach, I’m also looking forward to seeing Clay Logue, Ben and Jieun Newland, Jason Anderson and other church music friends at the conference.

And now it’s time to refresh the guest room again for my friend, Joan Ishibashi who will be coming on Tuesday, not only to visit Hawaii, but to look after me while I undergo a vitrectomy (eye surgery) to remove the debris from my recent eye infection. My retina specialist says I’ll be “out of commission” for a week so I’m trying to complete all my tasks before then!

It’s a race to the finish!