HPU ensemble set to perform at Carnegie Hall
By Zenaida Serrano
Advertiser Staff Writer
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| Sheena Istre, second from right, and Katie Goad, right, sing during Hawai'i Pacific University's recent spring concert at St. Andrew's Cathedral in Honolulu.
Rebecca Breyer • The Honolulu Advertiser |
The sopranos, altos, basses and tenors sang in unison and in waves, the hypnotic melodies reverberating throughout their classroom at Hawai'i Pacific University last week.
The members of HPU's International Vocal Ensemble were preparing for a performance Sunday at Carnegie Hall — an exciting first for many in the group. They leave for New York today.
"It gives me chicken skin thinking about it," said sophomore Jon Felarca, 19, of Salt Lake. "I always used to think of music as a hobby ... but I didn't think it would bring me to where we're going."
Felarca, a tenor, first sang in a choir as a second-grader at St. John the Baptist School. "I see it as a blessing," he said of the upcoming performance.
New York-based production agency MidAmerica Productions Inc. invited the HPU students, along with four other choir groups from across the country, to perform at the famed venue.
"For them to sing in a much larger choir in that space that has so much history, for them to have that experience, I know it will raise the bar for them musically and in performance style, individually and as a group," said Susan Duprey, director of choral activities at HPU and daughter of local organist and composer John McCreary.
The five choirs will perform pieces by composer Morten Lauridsen. The HPU group will perform two Latin works by Lauridsen: the first movement of "Lux Aeterna," (Eternal Light), and "O Magnum Mysterium," (O Great Mystery), a Christmas piece.
The 10 women and nine men who make up the HPU International Vocal Ensemble come from Brazil, Japan, Sweden and all parts of the United States.
Because HPU doesn't have degree programs in music, all of the members are pursuing degrees in other academic disciplines. The ensemble is one of the few choral groups in the world made up of nonmusic majors who receive a scholarship for their participation, Duprey said.
However, many have a musical background, and each clearly exudes vocal talent. As the group rehearsed parts of "Lux Aeterna" last week, Duprey conducted with a big smile.
"That's gorgeous," Duprey said. "You're sounding fantastic."
Karin Ekdahl, a 23-year-old senior from Halmstad, Sweden, has been singing since she was 10.
"It's a great feeling, just coming from a totally different part of the world — Sweden — and going to Carnegie Hall ... to sing with other choirs and share their experiences with our experiences," said the alto.
The students have been raising money for the $40,000 trip since August. While the university paid half the costs, the group covered the rest through Christmas carols, car washes and concerts, among other activities.
Joining the students on the trip are accompanist Joseph Z. Pettit and several HPU chaperones. In addition to performing at Carnegie and visiting the usual New York sights, the group is planning to see "The Lion King" on Broadway and catch a New York Yankees game.
"The highlight is Carnegie Hall. But just to be in the big city, that's exciting," Ekdahl said.
Reach Zenaida Serrano at zserrano@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8174.
