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Sing-along among church music events

St. Andrew's Cathedral musicians will give the so-so singers in the pews a chance to live out their fantasy of being star soloists backed by a 12-piece orchestra and a massed choir at a free concert next weekend.

The May 1 "Joy of Singing" concert will be a sing-along of many favorite old hymns and anthems. The 7:30 p.m. event will be the last evensong of the season at the cathedral at Queen Emma and Beretania streets. Arlan Sunnarborg will conduct the combined forces of cathedral choirs, organ and orchestra plus audience.

It is one of several musical events planned by island church groups. Also coming up:

» Friday, Honolulu YWCA, 1040 Richards St. Latin dance and music will be featured at the free "Harmony for Humanity" concert at 7 p.m. sponsored by the Bahai Faith. It will feature performances by Latin Fire and Exodo Boricua, as well as Hawaiian music by Group Pilihau and blues saxophonist Randy Focht. The program will also include music and dance performances by local youth. The concert celebrates the Bahai religious festival of Ridvan, which marks the period in 1863 when the religion's founder, Bhaha'ullah, first proclaimed his mission as God's messenger.

» May 7, Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 1403-A California Ave., Wahiawa. "The Passion of His Love," an Easter cantata by Tom Fettke and Randy Vader, will be performed at 7:30 p.m. by the combined choirs, directed by Eileen Hirota. A reception will follow.

» May 8, The Lutheran Church of Honolulu, 1730 Punahou St., will present "A Bach Pilgrimage II," the works of Johann Sebastian Bach during his Weimar period, the finale of the season's Abendmusiken Concerts at 7:30 p.m. The Bach Chamber Choir and Orchestra will be conducted by Carl Crosier, with organist Katherine Crosier, tenor Wayne Wilson and bass Buz Tennent as soloists.

Tickets are $15, with reduced rates for seniors and full-time students. Call 941-2566.

Yearly banquet thanks Catholic volunteers

People whose unpaid volunteer service powers the ministries and programs of parishes will be honored at a banquet Friday.

Some 100 volunteers from most of the 66 Catholic parishes in the state will be applauded as "Island Treasures" at the annual party organized by Catholic Charities Hawaii and hosted by the Honolulu diocese.

About 1,300 people are expected at the event at the Sheraton-Waikiki Hotel. Pastors and parish members attend to honor volunteers for work including singing in choirs, leading prayer groups, outreach to the needy, making altar floral arrangements, taking communion to the home-bound and serving on committees.

The event is chaired by Mary Lou Brogan and Rose Domondon, who started the "Island Treasures" program nine years ago.