Due to jet lag, I’ve been in a cocoon the last ten days after having returned from my European tour. It was a glorious two weeks of seeing magnificent cathedrals, stunning organ cases, eating scrumptious food, getting acquainted with new and old friends as well as enjoying time with family (my two sisters.) Each day… Read More Pure joy!
Yesterday afternoon I attended “A Concert for Ukraine,” a benefit presented by Hawai‘i Vocal Arts Ensemble, conducted by Timothy Carney with special guest, baritone Leon Williams at the Lutheran Church of Honolulu. It was the second benefit concert by the group—the first was held at St. John Lutheran Church the night before. The chorus was… Read More Dona nobis pacem
I was privileged to watch a livestream of Naomi Castro’s graduate recital today—if you look at the Tag Cloud on the right column, I’ve written about her frequently. She grew up at the Lutheran Church of Honolulu (in fact, I played the organ for her parents’ wedding!), and her mother and father sang in the… Read More “All in one piece!”
During this pandemic crisis, many artists and musicians have been hurting financially because nearly all in-person concerts have been cancelled. It’s not just this past spring where events have been cancelled, we are looking towards the fall and beyond with no “live” musical events. In fact, this past week, I received this notice from the… Read More A virtual season
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
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
Q. What is a 100%, sure fire guaranteed way to have your audience give your concert a standing ovation? A. Program the Hallelujah Chorus as the final piece. Better yet, invite the audience to sing along! Whether or not the audience did join the singing, the Oahu Choral Society concert did indeed end with a… Read More Guaranteed standing ovation!
Have you ever gone to a place where the music was really, REALLY LOUD, and after you left, you heard a ringing in your ears?! According to Medical News Today: Tinnitus can be bothersome, as the sound can make hearing difficult and interrupt daily life. Tinnitus after a concert is usually temporary and should subside within… Read More My ears are ringing!
Pure energy and exhilaration… that’s how I would describe tonight’s Oahu Choral Society’s concert with the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra. I came away breathless, my heart racing with a spring in my step! The music, Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms and Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana, were the perfect pair of works, each with its driving rhythms yet singable… Read More Pure energy and exhilaration!
You know the story of Cinderella, right? It’s the story of a young woman living in unfortunate circumstances, who gets to dance with the prince at the ball, then loses her glass slipper. If you check Wikipedia, Cinderella can be an analogy which can mean: “one whose attributes were unrecognized, or one who unexpectedly achieves… Read More Cinderella night