Spotlight on
By Tim Ryan
local talent
Star-BulletinMusic and artists of Hawaii are the focus of a new three-year project by the Honolulu Symphony designed to bring local entertainment to a larger audience.
"The Music and Artists of Hawaii" project will feature local artists backed by full orchestration at all Honolulu Pops concerts at the Blaisdell Concert Hall and Waikiki Shell. These orchestrations will then be made available on a rental basis to orchestras worldwide through the Honolulu Symphony music library.
The program was created by Honolulu Pops Principal Conductor Matt Catingub and Executive Director Michael Tiknis, who estimates the project will be seen by more than 150,000 visitors and residents over the three years.
Another reason for the project, Tiknis said, is the continued growth in mainland and Asian visitors to the pops and Shell concerts. In the current season, non-Hawaii residents attending the symphony increased by about 6 percent, or about 8,000 people.
During the past four seasons, the symphony has featured several local artists, choirs and performing groups, from Cathy Foy to Frank De Lima.
The Lou Rawls concert on April 24, the symphony's first Vacations Hawaii Starlight Series at the Waikiki Shell, will open with R&B vocalist Ginai. On May 8 Danny Couch will open for Dionne Warwick, and Hawaii's "first lady of jazz," Azure McCall, opens the May 21 starlight performance by Michael Feinstein. Catingub has also signed Forte to perform at the May 28 Martin Nievera concert at the Blaisdell Concert Hall.
The Music and
Artists of HawaiiArtists interested in participating: Send resumes to Jim Mancuso, Honolulu Symphony Orchestra Manager, 650 Iwilei Road, Suite 202, Honolulu, 96817; or e-mail jmancuso@alohasymphony.com.
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