After last week’s programs by the Chorus and Hokuloa Singers at St. Andrew’s Cathedral, Lower School Orchestras and Orchestras 1, 2 and 3 in our lower gym, and Bands 1, 2, 3 and 4 at McKinley Auditorium, one would think that we would be through for the year. However, this past weekend our Dancers performed at the NBC Concert Hall on Friday, the Lower School Theater class and the Advanced theater class performed at Paliku Theater on Saturday, Orchestras 4 and 5 concertized at Seto Hall on campus Saturday evening and all three Stage Bands performed at the Convention Center on Sunday.
The Dance Showcase was a delightful mix of students in our dance classes from both upper and lower schools and had as its theme, The Voyage, which was played out in a variety of dances. In addition to the brilliant and imaginative choreography and execution, the lighting and costuming added a dazzling visual effect. The second half of the program featured a tribute to the seniors as well as a touching farewell to Uncle Ed Collier, who is retiring at the end of this school year. The number was an original composition by John Alexander and was performed by the Hokuloa Singers and a select group of dancers.
The Lower School theater class presented six one-act plays which were well-suited to their abilities as well as audience interest. The costuming, lighting and overall performances were very good. The future continues to look good for our theater program. The Advanced Theater performance, Snapshots from the Mall, was written, directed and performed by the 14 members of the Advanced Theater Class. Taking the central location of a shopping mall as a starting point, the students developed short sketch pieces that eventually became the performance pieces seen by the audience. Juniors Nicole Ha, Amy Isaak, Marya Kaminski, Storm Ness, and Caroline Tamayose, along with Seniors Erika Nielsen and Suveg Pandey were the fortunate seven who got to see their original works come to life on stage.
The Symphonic Orchestras played a very difficult but exciting program at Seto Hall. On a very cramped stage, they managed to perform exceptionally well. Peter Greenhill, Director of the Iolani Peace Institute, read a section of the "Tao-Te Ching" by Lao Tzu and Orchestra 4 played selections from Band of Brothers, the HBO mini-series. They completed their half of the program with a rousing rendition of Reinhold Gliere’s Russian Sailors’ Dance. Orchestra 5 followed with a joyous reading of Glinka’s Overture to Russlan and Ludmilla. The high point of their difficult program was the 4th movement of Mendelssohn’s Reformation Symphony. They closed the program with the Nimrod section of Elgar’s Enigma Variations while the seniors were being recognized.
Sunday’s program at the Convention Center was a fitting conclusion to the long weekend of concerts. In addition to the three stage bands, special guest saxophonist Andy Suzuki, pianist Nick Manson and bassist Dean Taba shared their artistry in two selections, joined by senior drummer Brandon Tucay. Nick and Andy also soloed with the band. Garry Chun ’80 joined the trumpet section on two selections: Bob Mintzer’s Good News and Thad Jones’ Us. Although all three groups performed brilliantly, the highlight was Birdland by Stage Band 3. This featured each of the seniors playing solos of varying lengths. The audience responded at the conclusion of the program with a standing ovation.
No, we aren’t finished yet. Friday night, May 26, at Paliku Theatre, the Intermediate Theater classes will present their program. On Saturday, the three sections of Beginning Theater will close the year with performances at 1 pm, 4 pm and 7 pm, also at Paliku. Our four string quartets will be featured on Saturday at 4 pm in the Chorus Room on campus. Then the school year will come to a conclusion for the Performing Arts Department.
