May 15, 2023

I am very happy to be writing my annual letter following a season of live concerts, rather than virtual concerts. Now that our successful live 2022-23 season is complete, I invite you to renew your present membership or to become a new member of the Hawai’i Concert Society for 2023-24. Please accept this invitation by returning the membership form (available here, with instructions), along with your contribution.

Many of you, no doubt, have special memories of the recently completed season. For me, the past few chamber music concerts were particularly memorable ones. The duo of cellist Steven Isserlis and pianist Connie Shih seemed to perform as one musical instrument, as did Trio Karénine.  Both as a soloist and together with Honolulu’s Galliard String Quartet in Brahms’s Piano Quintet No. 1, pianist Joyce Yang enthralled our audience as she always does.  The astounding technique of Ukrainian pianist and Cliburn bronze medalist Dmytro Choni shone forth in our season-opening concert, particularly in works by Prokofiev and Liszt. The musicians of the Dover String Quartet were personable and engaging with our audience and performed Still and Mendelssohn sublimely. Finally, the dazzling athleticism and artistry of Giordano Dance Chicago frequently left our audience breathless.

Although none of the contracts for next season’s presentations is yet signed, and although we are still too uncertain about a couple of concerts to mention them here, we are certain that the quality and diversity that we will present in the coming season will rival that of any past season. We expect to feature two piano soloists, the first of whom is a remarkable pianist from Rapa Nui (Easter Island), Mahani Teave (if you have not heard of her, watch the PBS video about her on YouTube).  The other is the recent Cliburn silver medalist, Anna Geniushene, After a delay of three seasons caused by COVID, we are thrilled to finally be presenting Midori, one of the world’s preeminent violinists as well as a visionary activist and educator. We also are bringing back Trio con Brio, whom our audiences have enjoyed several times previously. Finally, Hawaii Opera Theatre will perform An American Dream, an eloquent and gripping one-hour opera with special meaning for many in our community. Set during World War II, it explores the lives of a Japanese American facing internment and a German Jewish immigrant preoccupied by those she left behind.

To organize and present a season takes time, thought, and effort, which our all-volunteer board is happy to provide. As you know, it also takes financial contributions to help cover artists’ fees and travel, production costs, theater rental, insurance, and other expenses. Our members provide the financial platform upon which each season is based. Their contributions also help keep ticket prices low so that more of our Big Island neighbors can afford to attend and they help to cover the costs of bringing our artists into contact with students via master classes and educational performances. 

In making a commitment to present some of the world’s finest artists in the coming season, we trust that your tax-deductible membership contributions will help provide what is required. So, if you are a member of HCS, please renew now and consider a larger contribution.  For you who are not yet members, consider the investment that you will be making in the cultural health and growth of East Hawai’i, the message that your membership sends to family and friends, and the satisfaction you will have in knowing that you have made a significant contribution to our community.  Please respond positively and generously. We hope that you will join us in creating a memorable 2023-2024 season of live performances.

On behalf of the entire board, mahalo!

        Thomas R. Geballe
        President