One of the first things I teach my young students is what to do after your piece is finished: Press the CANCEL button! That is to prevent any “oopsies!” if you touch a key by mistake. But, in spite of all my good intentions, at the end of the opening number (Hallelujah Chorus) from last… Read More Caught up in the moment
This story caught my eye this morning: From APNews: (click the link to read the complete story) The Handel & Haydn Society performs its rendition of Mozart’s “Masonic Funeral” at Symphony Hall in Boston. Photo: Chris Petre-Baumer/Handel & Haydn Society via AP Orchestra searching for child who charmed crowd with ‘wow!’ By WILLIAM J. KOLE… Read More Innocent joy
This coming Friday night, I’ll be accompanying the Iolani School Chorus and Hokulea Singers in their spring concert under director John Alexander. The opening work is the famous “Hallelujah” Chorus by George Frideric Handel, which you’re more likely to hear at Christmas rather than in Eastertide. I recommend you read “The Glorious History of Handel’s… Read More Messiah at Easter
Composer Peter Hallock’s earthly life came to an end, and it was fitting that I participated in a quarterly meeting of the Peter R. Hallock Institute today by videoconference. Facebook reminded me of this anniversary by posting this photo to my news feed. The photo of Peter Hallock and Carl Crosier was actually taken nine… Read More Five years ago today
So exclaimed Esther Yoo as she conducted the opening Sinfonia from Bach Cantata 4, Christ lag in Todesbanden, in the spacious Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa. As you can see by the photo above, my little organ is placed front and center and gosh! It sounds absolutely gorgeous in there. Having heard the organ in the… Read More Bach sounds FANTASTIC!
My baby organ has just left the building, on its way to the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa—where on Friday, April 26th I will be accompanying the Oahu Choral Society Chamber Choir in three works by Bach: Komm, Jesu komm; Singet dem Herrn and Cantata 4, Christ lag in Todesbanden. Esther Yoo will also conduct Herbert… Read More Have organ … will travel
As the horrifying images of Paris’s Notre Dame Cathedral on fire spread throughout the world, there was an overwhelming anxiety in the organ world, “What is happening to the organ?” I was especially alarmed when I saw this drone photo of the nave on fire. Surely, the organ was lost! It is the largest organ… Read More ‘It is a miracle!’
Yesterday’s concert with the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra was one of those times when you leave the hall with a lighter spring in your step, and the adrenaline is rushing through your veins. Much of that was due to the exciting conducting of Rei Hotoda, who made her HSO debut yesterday. What I found so mesmerizing… Read More Dynamo guest-conducts HSO
Yesterday I attended the spring benefit event, Kupu A‘e 2019, for the Hawaii Youth Opera Chorus at the Dole Cannery, which included a buffet lunch, silent auction and entertainment by the HYOC and guests. The Hawaii Youth Opera Chorus is Hawaii’s oldest and most advanced community youth choir, offering a full spectrum of music education… Read More 58 years of teaching kids
I have been home for less than two days—it’s 2:25 am and can’t sleep. Ah jet lag, my old friend, what’s new?! In looking over my photos, I realized I took a bunch more which I haven’t posted yet from our trip to Port Isaac, the real life village of Doc Martin. On our walking… Read More Churches in Port Isaac