The Big Island Singers, a 37-person choir led by director Douglas Albertson, will culminate its fifth season with a series of one-hour concerts titled, “EarthSeaSky!” All concerts are free, and donations are welcomed.
When and where:
— Tonight at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Saturday;
— Saturday at 4 p.m. at First United Protestant Church, 1350 Waianuenue Ave., Hilo;
— Sunday at 4 p.m. at Episcopal Church of the Holy Apostles, 1407 Kapiolani St., Hilo.
“EarthSeaSky!” is inspired by the wonders and connections of our natural world. The works include the poetry and writings of Nicholas Black Elk, Walter de la Mare, Percy Bysshe Shelley, Emily Dickinson, Leonora Speyer and James Weldon Johnson.
Choir member Vicki Andrews, a former librarian in North Pole, Alaska, was especially delighted at the literate selection.
“Being part of this awesome group is fun but challenging. And singing this extraordinary music has been wonderful,” she said in a press release.
“These songs were selected in part because of the rich and powerful lyrics,” said Albertson in the press release. “And the featured composers, all of whom are still actively writing music today, created gorgeous choral pieces to convey the meaning of all these brilliantly inspiring words.”
The choir wishes to acknowledge accompanist Doug Howell, who composed an original piece for the singers that will premier at these concerts: “Love’s Philosophy.” The lyrics are from a Shelley poem of the same name, but Howell’s composition takes the ethereal concepts to new heights when set to music.
Another original composition will be performed as a solo by choir member Eric Anderson, senior pastor at Church of the Holy Cross in Hilo.
Anderson wrote “Creature of this World” in 2022 after reading a poem called “Offering” by Rachel Hackenberg.
“It’s a song about finding one’s place in the world, considering comparisons in the sky, the forest, and in music,” said Anderson.
All donations for these free concerts will go to Friends of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.