HILO COMMUNITY CHORUS PRESENTS “OLD CHESTNUTS” – FIVE CENTURIES OF CHORAL FAVORITES

On Sunday, April 26 at 2 pm, the 60-voice Hilo Community Chorus, with distinguished soloists and a special guest conductor, will offer its annual spring concert at the Palace Theater. The concert is dedicated to the memory of Benno Wang, a chorus member of HCC and the Kanilehua Chorale, and a beloved member of the Hilo community.

Tom McAlexander, longtime conductor of the Chorus, had this to say about his inspiration for the program: “I’ve been thinking about presenting a program of ‘old chestnuts’ for several years. Many of us who have sung in choirs for years have a list of favorites, and I am no exception. The songs we will sing most choristers have sung before in their lifetime – or if they haven’t, they should have! This program gives experienced singers a chance to sing some of their favorites, and new singers an opportunity to sing some of the greatest choral music ever composed.”

The Chorus invites all to come and hear “greatest hits” from five centuries of composers that will include Tallis, Mozart, Beethoven, Haydn, Brahms, Gounod, Steiner and Jenkins. Soloists will include local favorites Amy Horst, Jaime Juarez, Ian McMillan and Michael Hurkes. McAlexander will be joined on the podium by distinguished conductor and composer Dr. Daniel Mahraun, now of Kailua-Kona. The Chorus will be accompanied by two versatile and talented musicians, Walter Greenwood on piano and organ; and Karen Nogami on oboe for one number. The Chorus will also present two, first-ever, “Tom McAlexander Choral Music Scholarships” to two UH choral music students – in honor of their beloved conductor.

Concert location at Google Maps: Palace Theater, 38 Haili St, Hilo HI 96720