If you’re someone who longs for a little more music in their lives, then the Kaua‘i Concert Association has an answer for you. The nonprofit organization announced it will bring eight “world-class shows,” featuring musicians from around the globe. The
If you’re someone who longs for a little more music in their lives, then the Kaua‘i Concert Association has an answer for you.
The nonprofit organization announced it will bring eight “world-class shows,” featuring musicians from around the globe.
The best part? The tickets range from $10 to $40, peanuts compared to the cost associated with flying to O‘ahu and paying to see these singers at a big concert hall.
“This is the kind of season we want to continue to present,” said Jim Bray, president of KCA. “The board believes its very important to have high-quality music of a variety of types available on the island.”
The season boasts an eclectic mix of classical and contemporary music, including performances from Filipina superstar singer Lea Salonga, Grammy-nominated chamber group El Mundo and internationally recongized pianist Hoachen Zhang.
Bray is personally excited to see the Hawai‘i Youth Symphony, but suspects Salonga will attract an enthusiastic audience. The Tony Award-winning actress and pop singer has appeared on more than 24 albums and has toured throughout the United States and Asia.
For the third year in a row, KCA will feature the Berklee College of Music Faculty Steelgrass Residency Winner. The winner from the Boston-based college will be featured in a concert, and the proceeds will be used to provide a music scholarship for a Kaua‘i student.
Choosing artists to be featured in the 2012-13 began a year ago. Each board member brought their suggestions to the table and the group handpicked each artist depending on availability and cost. It was also important to KCA if the artist was willing to participate in community outreach.
During the past two years, the association has brought artists to on-island schools, including private, charter and home schools.
“One of things we put into our contract is to have these world-class musicians be in the school as well,” Bray said. “It’s linked to our service with the community.”
Many of the artists from the upcoming season will be doing work with students, including acoustic folk duo Dala, award-winning quartet Afiara, Zhang, El Mundo and members of the Hawai‘i Youth Symphony.
The nonprofit organization, which celebrates its 34th season this year, is sensitive to people’s economic needs.
“As much as we see music as central to the human experience, there’s things about human existence that are pressing, like health and safety, and we understand that,” Bray said.
The number of concerts in a season has ranged from two to 10. Last year’s season had six, and this year’s season features eight.
For more information, visit www.kauai-concert.org or call (808) 245-SING (7464).
2012-13 KCA season at a glance
The 2012–13 season begins Oct. 14 with Haochen Zhang, a Chinese pianist from Shanghai, China.
The season will continue with Hawai‘i-based musicians and previous Jazz Festival performers Benoit JazzWorks on Nov. 17; the Berklee College of Music Faculty Steelgrass Residency winner will perform on Jan. 6; The Grammy-nominated band El Mundo will perform on Jan. 27; the Hawai‘i Youth Symphony will perform on Feb. 10; Tony Award-winning actress Lea Salonga will perform on Feb. 26, 2013; the classical quartet Afiara will perform on March 3; and contemporary folk musicians Dala will perform April 21, 2013.
Individual tickets are $30 for adults and $10 for students. All concerts take place at the Kaua‘i Community College Performing Arts Center. For more information, visit www.kauai-concert.org.
