Hilo, Hawai'i

 

	Music of Hawai'i in a Concert Setting    For several years an important ‘mission’ of mine has been to commission and collect tunes of Hawai'i which have been arranged for full orchestra, or for chorus and orchestra.  Much of this music is unknown outside Hawai'i and my goal, in my own concerts and as a guest conductor, is to share its beauty with audiences around the world.       It is fortunate that I have a symbiotic relationship with Rodney Wong, a composer and arranger who lives on the Big Island of Hawai'i.  Rodney has arranged numerous tunes of Hawai'i in a symphonic format.  When programming a concert I try to keep an eye to the past as well as the present and to include one or more of Mr. Wong’s arrangements.  I believe this particular mix is stimulating and enjoyable for the players as well as the audience and it provides a unique opportunity to share some of the beautiful music of Hawai'i in a concert setting.  Most concert audiences have never had an opportunity to hear this music.   I hope to change that, one audience at a time.        Ken