February
Video trailers for "Nā Kau ʻElua | The Two Seasons" released
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Enjoy the Hawaiian Oboe Legacy trailer videos featuring Jon's new concerto "Nā Kau ʻElua | The Two Seasons" and the Hawai'i Symphony Orchestra's November 10, 2019 world premiere performance with J. Scott Janusch, solo oboe, kapa makers Maile Andrade, Reni Aʻiaʻi Bello, Kina Kaʻanoi, Kealani Makaiwi, Dalani Tanahy under the direction of guest conductor, Maestro Keitaro Harada. |
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Enjoy the Hawaiian Oboe Legacy trailer video featuring the chamber version of Jon's new concerto "Nā Kau ʻElua | The Two Seasons" for solo oboe and chamber ensemble (string quartet, piano, marimba and Hawaiian and western percussion instruments) featuring the May 20, 2019 performance at Doris Duke Theater (Honolulu Museum of Art). |
2020
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2019
2019
NOVEMBER
The Hawaii Symphony Orchestra presents the world premiere of "Nā Kau ʻElua | The Two Seasons" (orchestral version)
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Jon's new concerto "Nā Kau ʻElua | The Two Seasons" for solo oboe and orchestra with Hawaiian and western percussion instruments was commissioned by J. Scott Janusch and Live Music Awareness in celebration of the new legacy oboe constructed by Howarth of London with wood from a kauila tree (alphitonia ponderosa) native to Kōkeʻe, Kauaʻi. The November 9 and 10 world premiere performances of the 12-movement work are conducted by Keitaro Harada, and ticket information can be found here. |
OCTOBER
Chamber Music Hawaii and Bishop Museum present free evening public performance of Pākaʻa Lanakila! with CMA Support
| Chamber Music America's Residency Partnership Program supports the first-ever partnership between Chamber Music Hawaii and the Bishop Museum in this evening performance of the music moʻolelo (story), Pākaʻa Lanakila! This performance about the young Kauaʻi boy, Pākaʻa, is presented in ʻolelo Hawaiʻi (the Hawaiian-language) by the Spring Wind Quintet with master storyteller, Kalama Cabigon at 6pm on October 23 in the Bishop Museum's Hawaiian Hall. Free tickets are available here. |
Chamber Music Hawaii and Bishop Museum present free school day performances of Pākaʻa Lanakila! with CMA Support
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Chamber Music America's Residency Partnership Program supports the first-ever partnership between Chamber Music Hawaii and the Bishop Museum in educational school day performances of the music moʻolelo (story), Pākaʻa Lanakila! These performances about the young Kauaʻi boy, Pākaʻa, are presented in ʻolelo Hawaiʻi (the Hawaiian-language) by the Spring Wind Quintet with master storyteller, Kalama Cabigon twice daily (9:30am and 10:45am on October 21, 22, and 23). For ticket information, please email here. |
Chione Quintet performs Pākaʻa Lanakila! across Minnesota (including American Sign Language)
| Chione Quintet performs the music moʻolelo (story) about the young Kauaʻi boy, Pākaʻa, in libraries across Minnesota this October. The Residency by the Chione Quintet, organized in partnership with the Arrowhead Library System and Superior Public Library, has been made possible with support from Chamber Music America through its Residency Endowment Fund. These performances of the English version of Pākaʻa Lanakila! will include American Sign Language (ASL). |
SEPTEMBER
Haven Trio performs TWINGE at Emory & Henry College (VA) with Barry Bearak narrating
| Haven Trio and Barry Bearak bring the evening-length TWINGE to Virginia audiences at the McGlothlin Center for the Arts (Emory & Henry College) on Friday, September 20 2019. The Chamber Music America-funded work for soprano, piano and clarinet – 15 songs based on Pulitzer Prize winner Barry Bearakʻs "The Day the Sea Came", the Nov. 27, 2005 New York Times Magazine cover story tells the story of survivors from the 2004 tsunami. The performance of the songs are interspersed with commentary from Mr. Bearak. |
Chamber Music Hawaii presents the world premiere of "Nā Kau ʻElua | The Two Seasons"
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Jon's new concerto "Nā Kau ʻElua | The Two Seasons" for solo oboe and chamber ensemble (string quartet, piano, marimba and Hawaiian and western percussion instruments) was commissioned by J. Scott Janusch and Live Music Awareness in celebration of the new legacy oboe constructed by Howarth of London with wood from a kauila tree (alphitonia ponderosa) native to Kōkeʻe, Kauaʻi. Performances of the 12-movement work (over 40 minutes in duration) are on May 6 and on May 20, 2019 at Palikū Theater (Kāneʻohe) and Doris Duke Theater (Honolulu Museum of Art). |
Jon is Visiting Composer with the SUNY Purchase Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Chorus for the Purchase Dance Company Spring Concert, May 1 - 4.
| SUNY Purchase hosts Jon for residency surrounding Purchase Dance Company Spring Concert performance of "Psalm", May 1-4, 2019. |
2019
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2018
NOVEMBER2018
Hawaii Symphony Performs "No Ka Huliau (Changes)" • Mvt. I of the SYMPHONY OF HAWAIIAN BIRDS
| The Hawaii Symphony gives the second family/Community performance of "No Ka Huliau (Changes)", the first movement of the SYMPHONY OF HAWAIIAN BIRDS, a Symphony about Hawaiian forest birds with original compositions and artwork and animation by local composers and artists. Blaisdell Concert Hall, Honolulu, HI. November 14, 2018. |
OCTOBER
Blue Griffin Recording releases "TWINGE by Jon Magnussen – HAVEN TRIO – Promo Video"
| Click here to see the new video produced by Blue Griffin genius Sergei Kvitko with Haven Trio performing excerpts, interspersed with interviews with Barry Bearak and Jon. |
Hawaii Symphony performs "No Ka Huliau (Changes)" • Mvt. I of the SYMPHONY OF HAWAIIAN BIRDS
| The Hawaii Symphony gives the world premiere performance of "No Ka Huliau (Changes)", the first movement of the SYMPHONY OF HAWAIIAN BIRDS. The movement is a collaboration with old friend and stop-motion animation artist Laura Margulies. Blaisdell Concert Hall, Honolulu, HI. May 9, 2018. The Symphony is about Hawaiian forest birds with original compositions and artwork and animation by local composers and artists. Performance by the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra for 2,000 local students and educators. |
2018
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2017
2017
NOVEMBER
Alvin Ailey School of Dance performs Suite from “The Winged” in BFA Fall Concert
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Alvin Ailey School of Dance Performs Suite from “The Winged” in BFA Fall Concert. Ailey Citigroup Theater, New York City. Nov. 15 and 16, 2017. (The Winged is a 40-minute ballet choreographed by José Limón, with music by Dr. Jon Magnussen composed for the dance, commissioned by The Juilliard School, premiered in 1996.) |
Video Release – Haven Trio's January performance of TWINGE
Click here to view a video of the live January 2017 UH West O'ahu performance, shot and edited by Kevin Bechayda (Creative Media student at UH West O'ahu). Thanks to the UH West Oʻahu Distinguished Visiting Scholar Fund, the UH West Oʻahu Music Fund, and the SEEDS Ideas fund of the UH System for making the live performance possible. TWINGE was commissioned by Haven Trio through the Chamber Music America Classical Commissioning Program, with generous funding provided by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and the Chamber Music America Endowment Fund. |
MARCH
2017 E Hīmeni Kākou Collegiate Choral Festival features Magnussen arrangement
Dr. Robert Istad conducts Magnussen's arrangement of HRM Liliʻuokalani's 1896 composition"Ka Wai 'Apo Lani", which she composed upon her pardon from the annexationist provisional government. The composition expresses hope that her rightful place on the throne would be restored ("A hiki mai ke aloha; ʻae pono mai ana..."). |
JANUARY
Haven Trio and Barry Bearak bring TWINGE to Hawai'i for Performances and Workshops
| The Dallas-based contemporary classical Haven Trio performs Jon Magnussen's “TWINGE” for soprano, piano and clarinet – 15 songs based on Pulitzer Prize winner Barry Bearakʻs "The Day the Sea Came". This time, the trio is joined by Barry Bearak himself for performances and workshops, thanks to the UH West Oʻahu Distinguished Visiting Scholar Fund, the UH West Oʻahu Music Fund, and the SEEDS Ideas fund of the UH System. (Mahalo nui!) TWINGE was commissioned by Haven Trio through the Chamber Music America Classical Commissioning Program, with generous funding provided by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and the Chamber Music America Endowment Fund. |
2017
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2016
2016
NOVEMBER
TWINGE premieres by Haven Trio in Texas and Oklahoma
| The Dallas-based contemporary classical Haven Trio performed Jon Magnussen's new work “TWINGE” for soprano, piano and clarinet – 15 songs based on Pulitzer Prize winner Barry Bearakʻs "The Day the Sea Came", the Nov. 27, 2005 New York Times Magazine cover story which tells the story of six survivors from the 2004 Indonesian tsunami. The Trio gave three performances as part of this first tour, at the Dallas Museum of Art, University of North Texas and Southeastern Oklahoma State University. The creation and performance of “TWINGE” was made possible by a generous 2015 Chamber Music America Classical Commissioning Grant. Click here to see a video of the "I look to the West" preview at University of North Texas. |
Pākaʻa Lanakila! goes to Hawaiʻi Island
| Mahalo to the Cooke Foundation and Kamehameha Schools–Kea'au for supporting Pākaʻa Lanakila! performances ma ka ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (in the Hawaiian language) with English translation at the WILLIAM CHARLES LUNALILO CENTER, on the KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOLS Kea'au campus on Nov. 2 and 3, again in a double-header format: an free evening program for the public, and a daytime school program (about 300 keiki). |
OCTOBER
Pākaʻa Lanakila! goes to Maui
AUGUST
"TWINGE" workshop with Haven Trio
| Jon travels to Lawrence, Kansas, to workshop his recently completed work "TWINGE" with the members of Haven Trio – at the International Clarinet Association's ClarinetFest 2016. |
MAY
Pākaʻa Lanakila! CD voted 2016 Nā Hōkū Hanohano award finalist
| Jon's Pākaʻa Lanakila! is nominated for a 2016 Hawaiʻi Academy of Recording Artists Na Hōkū Hanohano Award in the Technical Category for Best Liner Notes, which Jon wrote with Kalama Cabigon. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/thepakaaproject. |
APRIL
Hawaiian-language version of Pākaʻa Lanakila! -- First public performance at Kaua'i Community College Performing Arts Center
| The Kauai Community College Performing Arts Center hosted Chamber Music Hawaii's Spring Wind Quintet in the first public Hawaiian language “Pākaʻa Lanakila!” performance to an enthusiastic (350+) audience. Master storyteller B.K. Cabigon joined the quintet, and the performance included English translation subtitles and artwork by Caren Loebel-Fried. Donations supported the Larry L. McIntosh Band Music Scholarship Fund. See The Garden Island newspaper article. |
MARCH
Free ‘Pākaʻa Lanakila!’ teacher resource guide now available
| A free, bilingual study guide featuring artwork by noted Hawaiʻi Island artist, Caren Loebel-Fried is now available for educators to help them teach the story of “Pākaʻa Lanakila!”. The Hawaiian and English language teacher resource guide features an in-depth description of “Pākaʻa Lanakila!” and includes suggested classroom activities and crossword puzzles, as well as photos and background on “Pākaʻa Lanakila!” musical instruments. |
2016
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2015
DECEMBER
JUNE2015
DECEMBER
World premiere of "Swell Lines" for string orchestra
| The Punahou Symphony under Jonas Carlson gave the world premiere of Jon's new "Swell Lines" on December 4, 2015. The piece is an arrangement of the third movement from his string quartet deep sea, distant sky (String Quartet No. 1) and was dedicated to Director of Academy Orchestras Jonas Carlson and the Punahou Symphony in celebration of the School’s 175th anniversary. |
OCTOBER
"The Winged" featured at the José Limón International Dance Festival in NYC
| Jon's music for José Limón's 40-minute ballet “The Winged" is featured at the José Limón International Dance Festival where dance companies and colleges from seven countries around the world join the Limón Dance Company to share 15 of Limón’s masterworks with a wider audience at New York City’s The Joyce Theater. |
Pākaʻa Lanakila! CD is released
| Chamber Music Hawaii's new CMH recording label releases its first album – Pākaʻa Lanakila! performed by the Spring Wind Quintet in two versions; one, with narration in Hawaiian by Braven Kalama Cabigon and Sam ʻOhu Gon III; and another with narration in English by Jon. The recording is available for download at CDBaby.com, iTunes and also at retail outlets including Bishop Museum, Nā Mea Hawaiʻi at Ward Warehouse, and the Kauaʻi Museum. |
Haven Trio collaboration with Jon wins Chamber Music America Classical Commissioning award, supported by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
| Chamber Music America (CMA), the national network for ensemble music professionals, announced Haven Trio as a recipients of its 2016 commissioning programs, supporting the creation of new works for small ensembles. The new commission will support a new work by Jon Magnussen based on the stories of six people who survived the 2004 Indonesian tsunami. |
"The Queen's Jubilee" (arr. Jon) featured in UH Mānoa choral concert "UNCLOUDED DAY".
| Jon's arrangement of her royal majesty's beautiful "The Queen's Jubilee" taken up again by the choirs of UH Mānoa under the direction of Michael Lippert, with oli beautifully delivered by Megann Salā. Beautiful concert also featuring guest conductor J.D. Burnettand the inimitable Miguel Felipe. |
APRIL
deep sea, distant sky (String Quartet No. 1) premiered by Galliard String Quartet
| Jon's new 5-movement string quartet was commissioned by Chamber Music Hawaii with support from the Mayor's Office on Culture and the Arts, premieres at Paliku Theater (Monday, April 6), UH West O'ahu Library (Tuesday, April 7), and Doris Duke Theater (Monday, April 13). |
Jonʻs new "Fleet" premiered by UH Contemporary Ensemble's Aisha Kadomatsu (violin) and Grant Carvahlo (piano), with film by Wojciech Lorenc
| Jon's "Fleet" premieres Tuesday, April 21, at Orvis Auditoriumon the UH Mānoa campus. The 6-minute violin+piano piece will be performed with a film created by video artist Wojciech Lorenc based on the piece, to accompany the music. |
MARCH
Jonʻs new arrangement of HRM Lili'uokalani's "The Queen's Jubilee" premieres at E Himeni Kākou 2015
| Jon's new arrangement of her royal majesty's beautiful "The Queenʻs Jubilee" premieres at the annual statewide collegiate choral festival, with the Nola Nāhulu conducting choirs from UH Mānoa, UH West Oʻahu, Kapiʻolani Community College and Leeward Community College, and oli beautifully performed by Prof. Leilani Basham. |
2015
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2014
SEPTEMBER
JANUARY–MAY
SEPTEMBER
Pākaʻa Lanakila! ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi version recorded and edited... off to the mastering engineer!
| Recording sessions were fabulously fun with Braven Kalama Cabigon and Sam ʻOhu Gon III, and now... editing is finished for this beautiful ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi version of Pākaʻa Lanakila!. Handing it off soon to Grammy Award-winning mastering engineer, Michael Bishop from Five/Four Productions. |
JULY
Pākaʻa Lanakila! ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi version ready for recording!
| Work with Braven Kalama Cabigon and Sam ʻOhu Gon III has yielded a beautiful ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi version of this piece for wind quintet and narrator that just keeps going (...kupaianaha!). Next up, the UH West Oʻahu D-249 recording studio with ʻOhu, Kalama and Jon. |
MAY
"He Lei Aloha no nā ʻEwa" for oli and chorus performed for Spring 2014
UH West Oʻahu Commencement Ceremony
UH West Oʻahu Commencement Ceremony
| "He Lei Aloha no nā ʻEwa" for oli and chorus, a collaboration with UHWO Hawaiian/Pacific Studies faculty Dr. Leilani Basham, author of the oli “He Aloha no nā ʻEwa”, performed by the UHWO University Chorus, Dr. Basham and graduates, directed by Jon. |
APRIL
Limón Dance Company brings "Psalm" to The Joyce Theater in New York City
| Performances of "Psalm" for SATB chorus, baritone solo, and ensemble (2002) on April 29, 30, May 1-3, 2014, with recorded version played for live dance. Five performances in conjunction with the annual Limon Company Gala. |
Jon directs HRM Lili'uokalani's "ʻImi au iā ʻoe" (arr. Jon) at 2014 Lōkahi High School Choral Festival
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HRM Lili'uokalani's "ʻImi au iā ʻoe" (arr. Jon) is the mass choir number at the 2014 Lōkahi High School Choral Festival Concert (with approx. 200 singers), Jon directing – at Kawaiahaʻo Church, Honolulu.
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MARCH
"He Lei Aloha No Nā ʻEwa" performed in E Hīmeni Kākou 2014 – Collegiate Choral Festival
| E Hīmeni Kākou Collegiate Choral Festival features "He Lei Aloha no nā ʻEwa" for oli and chorus, a collaboration with UHWO Hawaiian/Pacific Studies faculty Dr. Leilani Basham, author of the oli “He Aloha no nā ʻEwa”, performed by the UHWO University Chorus, Dr. Basham and Lahi Vegas, directed by Jon. Mahalo to BYU Hawaiʻi Campus in Lāʻie, HI for hosting! |
FEBRUARY
HRM Lili'uokalani's "ʻImi au iā ʻoe" (arr. Jon) presented by Nola Nāhulu at the American Choral Directors Association Western Division Conference 2014 in Santa Barbara, CA.
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HRM Lili'uokalani's "ʻImi au iā ʻoe" (arr. Jon) is presented by Nola Nāhulu in her presentation “Nā Lani ʻEha – The Royal Composers” at the American Choral Directors Association Western Division Conference 2014 in Santa Barbara, CA.
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JANUARY–MAY
HRM Lili'uokalani's "ʻImi au iā ʻoe" (arr. Jon) highlighted in spring performances
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Jonʻs arrangement of HRM Lili'uokalani's lovely "ʻImi au iā ʻoe" -- created for the UH West Oʻahu University Chorus, is being performed in SAB and SAB+string quartet versions this spring season.
Highlights include: |
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2014
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2013
DECEMBER
"He Lei Aloha No Nā ʻEwa" premiered at Fall 2013 UH West Oʻahu Commencement Ceremony
| Premiere performance of He Lei Aloha no nā ʻEwa for oli and chorus at the Fall 2013 Commencement Ceremony; a collaboration with UHWO Hawaiian/Pacific Studies faculty Dr. Leilani Basham, author of the oli He Aloha no nā ʻEwa, performed by the UHWO University Chorus, Dr. Basham, graduating students of Dr. Basham, and directed by Jon. |
AUGUST
"Roadtrip" plays at UH Hilo's ‘IMILOA Astronomy Center
| Jon's "Roadtrip" heads for UH Hilo's ‘IMILOA in an August 31, 2013 program presented by Ebb & Flow Arts as part of the ongoing “Music of the Spheres” program – avant garde electronic music with in-house effects and full dome films. |
JULY
- Chamber Music Hawai‘i receives Kosasa Foundation grant to record "Pāka‘a Lanakila"
| Thanks to a grant from the Kosasa Foundation, "Pāka‘a Lanakila" will be recorded and edited in English as well as in Hawaiian. More on that in the coming months... |
APRIL
New arrangement of Lili‘uokalani's "Imi au ia ‘oe e ke aloha"
| Jon leads the performance of his SAB arrangement for the newly-formed UH West O‘ahu University Chorus at the Kapolei Choral Festival. |
"Roadtrip" premieres at Paliku Arts Festival
| On a commission from Ebb and Flow Arts, Jon composes "Roadtrip" and collaborates with Joseph Ciotti (computer-generated visuals) for the premiere at the Paliku Arts Festival on the campus of Windward Community College. The work is presented by Ebb & Flow Arts as part of the ongoing “Music of the Spheres” program: avant garde electronic music with in-house effects and full dome films. |
2013
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2012
NOVEMBER
Kala Koa Entertainment reprises Jon's string arrangements in SoCal HAPA concert
| Jon's string arrangements for well-known HAPA tunes "Olinda Road", "Ka Uluwehi O Ke Kai", "Manoa in the Rain", and more are reprised at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center for the November 10, 2012 performance. |
SEPTEMBER
Jon scores the featured trailer at 32nd Hawai‘i International Film Festival
| Jon collaborates with film maker Luke Aguinaldo and composes, performs and produces the music for the HIFF 2012 trailer, which appears before each of the 219 festival films during the 32nd Hawaii International Film Festival, and in TV ads. |
FEBRUARY
Paka`a Lanakila! travels to Ko‘ele Lodge on Lana‘i
| Flutist Zoe Goode joins the Spring Wind Quintet and Jon for the neighbor island performance. Mahalo to sponsors University of Hawaii at Manoa Outreach College, Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, The National Endowment for the Arts, the Hawaii Friends of the Library and Four Seasons Resorts and Hotels (Ko‘ele Lodge). |
2012
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2011
NOVEMBER
Kala Koa Entertainment taps Jon for string arrangements in SoCal HAPA concert
| Jon creates string arrangements for well-known HAPA tunes "Olinda Road", "Ka Uluwehi O Ke Kai", "Manoa in the Rain", and more. Musician and concert promoter Mitch Chang leads the strings at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center for the November 13, 2011 show. |
SEPTEMBER
Paka`a Lanakila! premieres at Doris Duke and Paliku Theaters on O`ahu, celebrates Chamber Music Hawaii's 30th season
| Funded generously by the Honolulu Mayor's Office on Culture and the Arts, Jon again collaborates as narrator with Chamber Music Hawaii's Spring Wind Quintet on his newly completed wind-themed work for narrator, flute, oboe, clarinet, horn and bassoon (with an appearance of Hawaiian ka`eke`eke and pu instruments). Jon composed Paka`a Lanakila! for audiences young and young-at-heart, based on the Kaua`i story of Paka`a (retold by Frederick B. Wichman in his "Polihale and other Kaua`i Legends" [Bamboo Ridge Press]). The piece tells the story of a young boy who faces adversity and ultimately triumphs, and it resonates with themes of love, respect, courage, rejection, acceptance, family, and community. |
APRIL/MAY
Jon conducts Limón Performances in Culiacán and Mazatlán, Mexico
| Once again collaborating with the amazing Limón Dance Company, Jon travels to Sinaloa (Mexico) to conduct the Orquesta Sinfónica Sinaloa de las Artes in Culiacán and Mazatlán, performing the music of Heitor Villa-Lobos and Norman Dello Joio. Wonderful music, old friends, new friends... it doesn't get better! |
FEBRUARY
UH Manoa Dance Program dances to Fantasy for Violin and Synthesizers
| Choreographer Amy Schiffner creates a terrific new piece entitled "Greyscale" based on Jon's "Fantasy for Violin and Synthesizers" from long ago (college days). Cool lighting with CFL lightbulbs, wonderful dancing, and smart choreography. Five performances over 2 weekends. |
Contemporary Music Ensemble Korea (CMEK) premieres below the sky
| On February 11 at Orvis Auditorium (UH Manoa campus), Chi-wan Park, piri and Woong-sik Kim, janggu perform Jon's new duo below the sky for these Korean traditional instruments. |
2011
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2010
OCTOBER
Oahu Choral Society premieres BUMP! with choreography by Amy Schiffner
| On October 24 at Paliku Theatre, Esther Yoo (director, Honolulu Symphony Chorus and Honolulu Chamber Choir) and pianists Thomas Yee and Grant Mack premiere BUMP!, a 17-min. Halloween-themed work for chorus and piano four-hands. (Yes, that's right -- from "things that go BUMP in the night.") Kudos to choreographer Amy Schiffner (UH Mänoa faculty), lighting designer Lloyd Rifod, and the terrific dancers from the UH Manoa dance department for creating a very mysterious and hallowed eve atmosphere. Thanks to the Honolulu Mayor's Office on Culture and the Arts for generously supporting the commission and performance. |
Chamber Music Hawaii premieres part one of Pākaʻa Lanakila!
| Commissioned with generous funding from the Honolulu Mayor's Office on Culture and the Arts, the terrific Spring Wind ensemble from Chamber Music Hawaii (Marsha Schweitzer, basson; Jonathan Parrish, horn; James Moffitt, clarinet; with guests Claire Butin, flute; Brad Shimizu, oboe; and yours truly as narrator) premieres part one of Päka`a: Lanakila! at Paliku Theatre on Oct. 4 and at the Honolulu Academy of Arts on Oct. 10. The work, for wind quintet and narrator, tells the story of young Päka`a, who lives in the cliffs of Ke-ahi-ahi on the island of Kaua`i, and who outwits the local fishermen in a canoe race against all odds. (Watch for the conclusion during next season's 30th anniversary of Chamber Music Hawaii!) |
SEPTEMBER
ETHEL brings Outta This World (unplugged) to the Moab Music Festival (UT) and the Museum of Communications in St. Petersburg (Russia)
| Thanks to a generous American Composers Forum ENCORE program award, "America's favorite string band" performs Outta This World at the Red Cliffs Adventure Lodge (also supported in part by a grant from WESTAF). Then, a few weeks later, they land in St. Petersburg for a Russian concert tour supported by CEC ArtsLink, which includes performances in St. Petersburg, Petrozavodsk, Kaliningrad and Moscow. Here's a fun blog of their Russian debut. |
MAY
ETHEL rocks in new 'unplugged' version of Outta This World
| ETHEL (Cornelius Dufallo and Mary Rowell, violins; Ralph Farris, viola; Dorothy Lawson, 'cello) premiered the unplugged version of Outta This World on May 13 at the Carnegie Hall Neighborhood Concert in LaGuardia Performing Arts Center... what seriously awesome performers! Jon led the pre-performance audience interaction/improvisation with a great assist from those intrepid ETHEL specialists. Fun, fun, fun... |
APRIL
Hawaii Youth Symphony premieres KE AO
| Commissioned by the HYS in celebration of the HYS' 45th and Maestro Henry Miyamura's 25th anniversary with the HYS, KE AO was premiered at Blaisdell Concert Hall on April 11 by the HYS, Honolulu Symphony Chorus (Esther Yoo, dir.) and ho`opa`a chanters from Halau Hula Ka No`eau (Michael Pili Pang, kumu hula) -- a terrific first performance. Bravi, tutti!!! See the following HYS Facebook photo links: Pic 1 Pic 2 |
MARCH
Meet The Composer's MetLife Creative Connections program award
| Thanks to a generous Meet The Composer award, Jon will participate in ETHEL Foundation for the Arts' presentation of Outta This World on May 13 at the Carnegie Hall Neighborhood Concert in LaGuardia Performing Arts Center. |
2010
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2009
MAY
American Composers Forum ENCORE program award
| Thanks to a generous award from ACF's ENCORE program, ETHEL will perform Jon's first string quartet (it's been 11 years since Outta This World's premiere!). ETHEL will be performing the "unplugged" version in May. |
Honolulu Symphony Chorus performs Psalm 23
| The Honolulu Symphony Chorus, directed by Esther Yoo, presented Psalm 23 for SATB chorus and organ, at St. Andrew's Cathedral in Honolulu, with John Renke at the organ. |
Hawai`i Youth Opera Chorus performs "Christmas Bells"
| The Hawaii Youth Opera Chorus, directed by Nola Nahulu, presented the Hawai`i premiere of Christmas Bells for 3-part treble chorus and piano, atKawaiaha'o Church in Honolulu. |
NOVEMBER
Honolulu Symphony Chorus premieres Psalm 23
| The Symphony Chorus joined with the Hawaii Youth Opera Chorus to present "A Festival of Psalms", which featured the Honolulu Chamber Choir's premiere of Psalm 23 for SATB chorus and organ at Kawaiaha'o Church on November 25, with Buddy Naluai at the organ and conducted by HSC artistic director Esther Yoo. |
AUGUST
PBS Hawai`i premieres "State of Aloha" documentary
| Jon contributed some original music for this TV version of State of Aloha which premiered on PBS Hawai`i on August 27. Directed by Anne Misawa of the Academy for Creative Media (University of Hawai`i at Manoa), the feature-length version will show at the Hawai`i International Film Fest (October). |
| Originally composed for solo voice and piano, these new arrangements are scored for SSAA and SATB with piano/organ (approximately 4 minutes in duration). |
(1 October 2019)
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