Last Thursday, my sister, Doris Au MacDonald and her musical partner, Sharon Dennis, (aka The Braeded Chord) arrived for a 12-day concert tour in Hawaii. I can hardly believe that it has been ten years since their last tour here—it was at that time they introduced the Alleluia Mass setting of the communion service to the congregation at the Lutheran Church of Honolulu.

Last weekend was spent entirely at Calvary by the Sea Lutheran Church, with an all-day workshop on Saturday sponsored by the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians. There were altogether three sessions, plus Morning Prayer and lunch, with the Braeded Chord speaking about their experience and sharing resources on the topic of Intergenerational Worship.

The other presenters spoke on the spiritual power of music and Hawaiian hymnody.

Sunday morning, the duo not only provided special music for the 7:30 and 10:00 am services, but they also gave the homily at both services. Guess when they were asked to prepare the homily—on Saturday afternoon after the all-day workshop! (Thanks for the advance notice!)

On Sunday night, we were invited to the home of my neighbor to see her recent home renovations, so Doris and Sharon brought their instruments and gave an informal concert. We had so much fun that the very next night, I invited the neighbors on my floor for a concert and ice cream!

Monday we toured the KoAloha ukulele factory which was eye-opening for all of us. I learned that it takes only eight days to build a ukulele, from a plank of wood to finished instrument. The factory builds about 25-30 instruments per day. I couldn’t help thinking about my trip to Hans-Ulrich Erbsloeh’s organbuilding workshop this summer and the time to build an organ may be many months.

Tuesday, Doris and Sharon had an informal rehearsal with Scott Fikse at LCH and Sharon was able to show Scott a few new guitar chords!

Tonight the duo is off to St. Peter’s Episcopal Church where they will join their ensemble to lead Jazz Vespers. Then tomorrow there will be two concerts: a morning concert for the seniors of Arcadia Retirement Residence and an evening concert at St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church. Saturday night we’ll all be attending the Early Music Hawaii concert, then Sunday morning the duo will be leading the service at the 8:00 am Lutheran Church of Honolulu followed by a service and concert at the United Church of Christ on Judd Street. Sunday night we’ll be at Choral Evensong at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church where the officers of the Hawaii Chapter American Guild of Organists will be installed.

If this schedule isn’t crazy, just think that in the middle of all this Doris and Sharon have gone to the beach, shopping, swimming, and waiting out Tropical Storm Olivia which has brought a lot of rain. And while some have cancelled because of the storm, I have continued to teach my organ students this week.

If it’s Tuesday, this must be Belgium?