By Jessica Fontenot
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With the first day of December having passed, the MHS music department hoped to increase the already growing spirit for the coming holidays, and did so at their 37th annual winter concert on Dec. 4. Students from the four ensembles were able to showcase the skills they learned from previous concerts or from their directors at the Pearl City Cultural Center.
“I think tonight they did excellent,” said Band Director Bryan Hirata, continuing, “They improved quite a bit from Fall Pops … and I think the students should be proud of what they’ve accomplished.”
Preparation for the concert started after the end of fall break in October where directors were able to choose songs or pieces based on the skill level of each performing group. Each level of music is based on a scale of one to six, six being at a college level. “(We) pick a piece that’s technically challenging for them,” explained Orchestra Director Curtis Hiyane, continuing, “(But) even more important for me are the non-musical objectives.”
Such objectives included teamwork, which is also a part of music etiquette, a type of behavior that differs depending on the type of concert. “Just being able to play in front of people and the experience of being on stage with other people … makes you focus … and have fun out there,” said Sophomore Lauren Kim, who performed “Duet for Two Violas,” composed by Wilhelm Friedmann Bach, with Junior Carissa Kim.
Along with the educational values that come out of the songs or pieces performed, directors also looked for music found outside of the U.S. “I like the ethnic music,” said Hirata, “I like what the students get out of it and just the awareness of a different culture.” Such music included “Fantasia on a Theme from Thailand,” composed by Richard Meyer and performed by the concert orchestra, “Troika,” composed by Sergei Prokofiev and performed by the string ensemble and “Bogorditse Devo, Raduisya” by Sergei Rachmaninov, sung in Italian by the Choice of Voice chorus.
Directors also made sure to include at least one festive piece or song for each ensemble’s performance. “Each group is different,” said Hiyane, continuing, “We try to include one Christmas selection and then … maybe one major piece for each group and then a lighter piece.” This would help the audience as well as the students get into a festive mood throughout the concert. Music included “Holiday Festival” by Michael Story with the concert orchestra, “Christmas Classics” by James Swearingen with the concert band, “Let it Snow!” composed by Keane Ishii with the Prima Voice chorus, “The Three Kings” by Ivon Atkins with soloists Christian Caraveo, Bree Chang, and Jonathon Palompo in the combined choir and “Christmas Concerto” by Sandra Dackwo with the string ensemble.
There will be another concert in spring, where the music department will be able to further showcase and practice the skills taught to them by their directors.
