No sooner did I put away the extra programs for Carl Crosier’s funeral mass that I am now embroiled in preparation for another program — for Early Music Hawaii’s concert, Triumph Against the Odds, which will be next Friday, September 19th at 7:30 pm, at St. Theresa’s Co-Cathedral. The concert will be dedicated to the memory of… Read More A funeral as publicity for a concert?
In the last few days, we have received scores of emails, text messages, cards and letters from colleagues, former choristers, friends and family from all over the country as my husband, Carl Crosier, enters hospice care. We would like to express our thanks that we travel not alone — but with the prayers, love and support… Read More With grateful hearts
Today Naomi Castro posted this photo of bass Keane Ishii on her FaceBook page with the news that he has accepted the position of choir director of Holy Nativity Episcopal Church. She wrote: Bittersweet times this rehearsal. Saying goodbye to my long-time LCH brother, Keane Ishii, who is going on to do great things as choral director… Read More New beginnings
By my calculations, it has been two weeks since I’ve touched an organ keyboard. We have been on the mainland visiting family and I have to say that music and playing the organ, or even writing this blog, for that matter, have been the farthest things from my mind. So what have I been doing?… Read More Like riding a bicycle?
Last Friday night, Early Music Hawaii presented a concert called “Oratorio,” 17th century sacred drama from Rome to Handel, in the reverberant acoustics of St. Theresa’s Co-Cathedral. Some of the town’s very best early musicians participated — and the dress rehearsal with choir and orchestra was held on Thursday night. The personnel for whom this… Read More Double, triple, quadruple!
is how one listener described Friday night’s Early Music Hawaii program, “Oratorio.” What a truly wonderful concert last night!!! One expects Georgine to outdo herself, and she did. But Naomi really “covered herself in glory!” (as the Romans used to say). Her tone and technique seem to have matured and acquired a level of professional… Read More A stunning concert
As we were driving home after last night’s rehearsal with the Early Music Hawaii Choir, Carl Crosier made this comment about soprano, Naomi Castro: She has just blossomed! (and he was not referring to all the leis that they were wearing in the picture to the left!) Naomi is singing the part of the Filia (Daughter) in the… Read More She has just blossomed!
Last week was a week of calm for me since I wasn’t able to teach any organ lessons — the reason being was that we hosted organbuilder Hans-Ulrich Erbsloeh from Hamburg, Germany and his colleague, Bernharndt Becker, while they replaced the worn pulldowns on the pedals on the Beckerath organ. It turned out to be… Read More A week of calm before the storm
I wanted to tell you a little about the Bach Chamber Choir which is the ensemble joining me in my upcoming Great Eighteen Chorales concerts. Here is a description of the group as printed in the program: The Bach Chamber Choir is a professional ensemble consisting of some of Honolulu’s finest choral artists, many of whom are… Read More The Bach Chamber Choir
bit·ter·sweet adjective being at once bitter and sweet; especially : pleasant but including or marked by elements of suffering or regret Over and over again, I heard the term bittersweet in reference to my last Sunday service as Organist at the Lutheran Church of Honolulu. I guess people were sad that I had come to the end… Read More Bittersweet