As I was driving home from the airport this afternoon, having taught organ lessons on Kauai, the traffic was absolutely wretched. I had decided to take Dillingham Boulevard (surface streets) instead of staying on the freeway, which I immediately found out was a bad decision! There are lanes closed off due to the ongoing construction… Read More In love with Requiems
Today I went back to Iolani School for its annual Winter Concert by the Orchestra and Chorus, an event which took a hiatus during the pandemic but resumed this year. It is a time when retired teachers and staff are invited to come back to the school, listen to a concert in the gym, and… Read More Back to school!
“The passing of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu is another chapter of bereavement in our nation’s farewell to a generation of outstanding South Africans who have bequeathed us a liberated South Africa,” President Cyril Ramaphosa said in a statement early Sunday. When I read the news about Desmond Tutu, anti-apartheid leader and voice of justice, dead at… Read More Desmond Tutu memories
There was an extensive interview with my former student, Joey Fala, in the current issue of the Iolani Bulletin, the publication of Iolani School where I was the Chapel Organist for twenty years and where I met Joey when he was in fifth grade. Take a look at the Tag Cloud—either in the column to… Read More Still making news!
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?!
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 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
At 12:15 am this morning, I was at my computer typing, “How to get rid of a musical earworm,” and I found the following answers: 1. Chewing gum could be good way to get rid of earworms. 2. Engage with the song: Many people report that actually listening to the earworm song all the way… Read More Imaginary chewing gum
Five years ago I was diagnosed with wet macular degeneration, necessitating monthly visits to my retina specialist for an injection directly into my eye. Many times I’m lucky, and am not affected by this monthly assault on my eyeball, but other times my eye protests with pain and excessive tearing. If you’ve ever scratched your… Read More The show must go on …
One week ago I was back at the Iolani School Chorus Room in rehearsal with the school choir under the direction of John Alexander. The instrument I was to play was an ancient 2-manual, Allen organ, with no pistons or other registration aids so that all the stops had to be pulled by hand. I… Read More Five minutes to Victory Te Deum