A couple of weeks ago, Tim Carney of the Hawai’i Vocal Arts Ensemble wrote me: Organist for Luigi Gatti Creation? Hi Kathy, HVAE is singing this fascinating Mass based on music from Haydn’s Creation…Gatti was one of many composers who adapted Haydn’s music for a Mass setting in the early 18th century. It has an… Read More Wishful thinking
From time to time, I have mentioned the name of my Swiss friend, Vreni Griffith. I first noticed her unusual name when I used to stick name labels on our music mailings for the Lutheran Church of Honolulu—that was probably in the early 90s. I later found out “Vreni” was a shortened version of “Varena”… Read More ¡Muchísimas gracias!
I never knew that my post about Lady Gaga’s performance of the National Anthem at President Biden’s inauguration would have received so many comments! Many people absolutely loved the mixed meter version of this song, and Lady Gaga’s interpretation of it, and others absolutely hated it! Here is a sampling of some of the comments… Read More Self-expression or a corporate creed?
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
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!
You have NO idea how the following pictures warmed my heart when I saw them on Facebook yesterday: It’s my former student, Joey Fala, who is introducing the organ to the children’s choirs at Chapel of the Cross in Chapel Hill, NC, where he is the Organ Scholar. It was sixteen years ago (May 24,… Read More Passing it on …
Our last night in Prague was spent together at a farewell dinner. The room was noisy with excited conversation and laughter, happiness in meeting new friends and a shared travel experience with long-time friends. Christel Yount made presentations and expressed appreciation to all the soloists, conductors and accompanists. She was also the mastermind of a… Read More Farewell to Prague
One thing I will remember about this Prague trip will certainly be the music making by the Hawaii Masterworks Chorus in beautiful churches with acoustically ambient spaces. Last night’s concert was such a highlight for performers and audience alike. So many people came out smiling and thanking us as they left the church. There is… Read More Music and motorcycles
Tonight was the last concert of the tour, and took place in San Salvator Church—the tour directors only figured out this afternoon that there were TWO San Salvator churches which were having concerts tonight, and they had to scramble to let everyone know that we were in the OTHER San Salvator Church! We were also… Read More Standing ovation in Prague