Because of the upcoming Dueling Bach concert, I planned not to take any other “gigs,” so that I could concentrate on practicing. Knowing how busy my December was, with all the music I had to learn for the six concerts I ended up playing (on three different islands), along with all the usual Christmas decorating,… Read More Desperately. Seeking. Organists!
It’s the Fifth Day of Christmas and my playtime is just about over. I am still in California with my family but will return home to Hawaii tomorrow… back to practicing for our organ duet concert on January 18, playing as an organ substitute for churches on Sundays, and teaching organ lessons. I have been… Read More Organ music on the piano, YIKES!
Yesterday I atttended the annual Iolani Christmas concert with the orchestra and chorus, an event to which the “Retirees” are special guests, with a luncheon following. I “retired” after twenty years as Chapel Organist at the school, but even now, continue to accompany the Iolani Chorus and Hokuloa Singers for their winter and spring concerts,… Read More I’m a Retiree, really?!
This weekend’s two performances of “Glow,” by the Hawaii Vocal Arts Ensemble, directed by Tim Carney, joined by Karol Nowicki’s Karolers, had it all — a polished choral performance, varied and well-balanced repertoire, sacred and secular selections, audience carols, beautiful choral tone, texts in English, Latin, Russian, French, German, Polish, Tagalog, Hawaiian and even a… Read More Afterglow for Glow
If you were one of the email subscribers to the blog you may have been puzzled by my mention of the Kona Choral Society when I wrapping up my time on the Garden Island, Kaua’i. I must have been tired when I wrote that last post, because of course I meant the Kauai Chorale, directed… Read More In a fog
Last night was the Kauai Chorale Chamber Choir’s concert at Lihue Union Church, and as you can see, there was a good crowd despite it being a Thursday night. I would call this true dedication to choral music, the Kauai Chorale and to Morris Wise, their Director. The 15-voice ensemble sang from the balcony where… Read More True dedication
The day started out poorly, with me barely getting to the airport at the last minute, then whipping out my mobile boarding pass to show to the TSA agent, only to have him say, “This is for the WRONG airport!” You see, I had forgotten to delete the boarding pass from Sunday’s Kona to Honolulu… Read More Wrong airport! Wrong gate!
That was the title of a desperate email I sent to Tim Carney, director of the Hawaii Vocal Arts Ensemble, when I came to try out the organ in the Mystical Rose Oratory this afternoon. The morning started out innocently enough … I began the day with my usual morning walk, then as I was… Read More Houston, we have a problem!
I am now at the gate at Kona Airport, having just finished the performance of Handel Messiah with the Kona Choral Society. I had forgotten how many notes fly by in the course of even doing the Christmas portion, plus the “Worthy is the Lamb” and “Amen” choruses. I mean, by even blinking you risk… Read More A whole lotta notes!
Last night was the Organ Plus concert with Jieun Kim Newland and our fantastic instrumentalists: Charles Coldwell, Luke Reed, Darel Stark and Sara Ricer. I have to say that the audience was extraordinarily quiet and attentive. No one talked, no one’s phone went off, and no dogs barked! (As happened in last month’s First Monday… Read More One down, four to go!