was the title of a piece I wrote for the church newsletter a few weeks before our performance of Bach’s St. Matthew Passion in the year 2000. At that time, I wrote: “The St. Matthew Passion performances are quite possibly the most ambitious undertaking ever planned at the Lutheran Church of Honolulu.” Presenting the Mass in B Minor is no less ambitious and reminds me of another headline which appeared in The Lutheran magazine following the St. Matthew Passion: Big Dreams: Small church pulls out the stops for Bach.
Here now is an update on that article for the Mass in B-Minor.
• More than 40 singers in the augmented LCH Choir have been rehearsing the piece since March 1st.
• There are five vocal soloists, three of whom are flying in from the mainland.
• Instrumentalists include 5 violins, 2 violas, 2 cellos, 1 double bass, 2 flutes, 3 oboes, 2 bassoons, 3 trumpets, 1 timpanist, 1 harpsichordist, and 1 organist. Two of the musicians are flying in from the mainland especially for the week of dress rehearsals and the performance. All of them are former Honolulu Symphony musicians.
• At least a dozen concertgoers are coming in from the mainland (that we know about). There may also be a group coming from the neighbor islands.
Many volunteers will be needed for assistance at the Will Call table, ushering, parking, baking cookies, refreshment serving and kitchen cleanup. We have been able to secure additional parking on the Lower Field of Punahou School and will need volunteers to help concertgoers cross the street safely. We also are in need of homestays for two of the artists. If you can help with any of these tasks or would be willing to host one of our vocalists, please contact Carol Langner or post a comment on my FaceBook page. We suggest that you volunteer one night and enjoy the concert on the alternate night.
Perhaps your business would like to advertise your services. Or, even you as an individual can send your words of congratulations to Carl Crosier and the choir, to be inserted in the program booklet. You can click Bach Ads to download a rate sheet and ad sizes. If you don’t wish to write an ad, we will certainly welcome your financial support. We anticipate a $30,000 shortfall even if we sell every seat in the house. All donors will be acknowledged in the program book.
More than that, we need you to purchase tickets to come to this “Musical Event of the Year,” which you can do by calling the church office at 941-2566 during business hours or purchase tickets online here. Seating is limited —do it today!
