Was worth driving over hundred miles to hear an exquisite musical event. The interweaving voices and exceptional blend in a carpeted church was an experience of aural beauty. I’m still in awe of what you accomplished. I’m especially happy I didn’t have to get on a plane and go to Honolulu. (Bonnie C. Burke) Great concert! (Susan… Read More Early Music in Kona
On my Hawaii Public Radio interview today, somehow the name of Joey Fala came up, my former organ student, as I explained how public radio supports and endorses non-profit groups such as the American Guild of Organists (AGO) and Early Music Hawaii (EMH) by publicizing their events. You see, we sponsor one organ concert per year and every time, we… Read More Keeping up with Joey
Adele, Barbara Streisand, Lady Gaga, Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, Britney Spears . . . what do all these musicians have in common? According to Arlin Cuncic, all these people consider themselves shy and introverted. Adele, a Grammy-winning British pop singer whose music is topping the charts, puts it this way: “I’m scared of audiences,” she confessed.… Read More Introvert
We were just about ready to go on stage last night when Jeremy Wong took this picture of the Early Music Hawaii Chamber Singers. We were talking about next weekend when we will all travel to Kona on the Big Island to repeat our concert, Bridging the Centuries 2, and were comparing our arrival times. However, Ian Capps,… Read More Hilarity behind the scenes
Tonight was the dress rehearsal for tomorrow’s Early Music Hawaii concert called “Bridging the Centuries 2” which will be the debut of the Early Music Hawaii Chamber Singers. I must say that EMH has picked the cream of the crop of choral singers in Honolulu — every singer is a soloist in his or her… Read More The EMH Chamber Singers debut
Today was a first — my first piano lesson in over five decades! You see, in the upcoming Early Music Hawaii concert (only two days away!) I’m having to play the piano for the accompaniment to three pieces on the program. They include In vidi in terra by Franz Liszt, Nigra sum by Pablo Casals and… Read More A piano lesson
Over the Easter weekend, we bid ‘Aloha’ to singer Lorna Mount, who with her husband, John, moved to Hawaii in 1975. As described by her family, Lorna was charismatic, energetic, always laughing, had the gift of gab, and when she was on steroids due to her ovarian cancer, “was a force of nature!” I know… Read More Aloha, Lorna
It’s Good Friday, the day of the crucifixion, and traditionally a day of penitence. My colleagues all over the world are putting in extra rehearsal hours for the Triduum services (Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Vigil) and extra Easter services. I can’t help but remember that for my late husband Carl and myself, it was… Read More Memories of Holy Weeks past
Last Saturday night, I attended the Oahu Choral Society’s 20th Annual “Vivace” fundraiser and was I ever surprised to find myself seated at the head table! To my immediate right was Karen Kennedy, a choral directing legend in this town, and next to her was Wanda Gereben, and next to her was Nola Nahulu of… Read More In with the bigwigs
In a recent post, I wrote about the constant deadlines of a musician — well, this musician, anyway, where there was always a service or concert to practice for. Even when I retired from my church job and no longer had the constant obligation to play organ voluntaries, hymns and to accompany choral music every… Read More Music is fun?