Gilliom and Na‘auao join Pops finale
Our good friends Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom and Sean Na'auao join us this weekend for the Honolulu Symphony Pops season finale. It should be a concert experience like no other.
Symphony Pops
In concert: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Place: Blaisdell Concert Hall
Tickets: $25 to $70
Call: 792-2000 or Ticketmaster, 877-750-4400
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Sean, who's making his Pops debut, has just been nominated for Na Hoku Hanohano awards for Male Vocalist of the Year, Hawaiian Album of the Year, Album of the Year and Song of the Year -- all for his new album, "Ka 'Eha Ke Aloha," and we're thrilled to celebrate with him.
Expect a few surprises as we perform new orchestral arrangements of some of Sean's biggest hits (think "Fish & Poi"), as well as his latest songs. A definite highlight will be a new arrangement of a Dionne Warwick song, "I'll Never Love This Way Again," that Sean remade for the album.
It's been a few years since Sean performed with an ensemble of our size, but he's definitely familiar with what it takes to get ready for such a show. Sean is a Pearl City High School graduate, class of 1987, and has a long history of performing with big bands.
Sean's fans might be surprised to learn that he played second tuba in the Hawaii High School Select Band, a group composed of the state's best young musicians. This weekend's concerts will have a smoother, more melodious sound than in his band days, thanks to the addition of strings, such as violins, violas and cellos. When he steps on stage with the Pops, Sean will be front and center -- rest assured he won't be playing his old tuba!
It's been a few years since Amy performed with the Pops, and we've designed many new features for her much-anticipated return. Since her last concert with us, Amy has been nominated for a Grammy Award, and she recently gave birth to a daughter. Our reunion will feature many of her favorite songs, including "Wasting the Rain," "Haleiwa Hula," "Pili Mai No I Kaihu," "Hukilau," "Jewel" and "Malama Mai Hawaii."
It's an honor to welcome Sean and Amy as we continue a Honolulu Symphony Pops tradition of paying tribute to Hawaiian culture and language through the distinctive combination of the beautiful sounds of our orchestra with the special music of Hawaii's favorite artists.
It's always a fantastic experience to hear the orchestra perform Hawaiian contemporary and classics in their orchestral world premiere moments. It's a sound unique to our islands and one that we're proud to share with the world.
Matt Catingub is conductor for the Honolulu Symphony Pops. "Crescendo" appears on the Monday prior to each concert of the season to illuminate works to be performed. E-mail comments to
suggestions@honolulusymphony.com