Photo by Mark Gatus, University Assistant Photographer
Photo by Mark Gatus, University Assistant Photographer
The crowd fell silent as the Brigham Young University–Hawaii choir students filed on stage. Within moments a captivated audience listened intently to a slower yet sacred start of a beautiful rendition of "Me-Na-Ri," a Korean piece featuring soloist Dr. Melissa Walker Glenn. It was an incredible start to the following songs performed by the Seasinger Singers, including pieces from Samoa, South Africa, Australia, and East Africa.
Following the Seasider Singers, the Ho'olōkahi Chamber Choir came on with a powerful song titled "Fire," a piece created as a literal representation of what fire sounds like as a song by a Canadian musician. They also sang works from Estonia, the Philippines, France, and a special tribute to Ukraine with the Ukrainian National Anthem. Then the combined choirs sang songs from the Republic of Cameroon and India, finishing with the finale piece of "Hawai'i," where audience members stood to sing along and hold hands, joining together as ohana.
Around the World Concert
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Around the World Concert
Erica Glenn conducting the opening song, "Me-Na-Ri" as choir members file in from where the audience was seated creating a surround sound effect.
Mark Gatus, University Assistant Photographer
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Around the World Concert
Seasider Singers perform "I Still Call Australia Home" as two indigenous Australian students join them on stage singing in the aboriginal language.
Mark Gatus, University Assistant Photographer
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Around the World Concert
Ho'olōkahi Chamber Choir sings song titled "Fire."
Mark Gatus, University Assistant Photographer
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Around the World Concert
Nawai Kauwe was featured in the concert when he performed a French piece titled "Pie Jesu" solo.
Mark Gatus, University Assistant Photographer
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Around the World Concert
Caroline James dances on stage in cultural Indian attire during the song "TāReKiTa."
Mark Gatus, University Assistant Photographer
6 of 6
Around the World Concert
Closing song "Hawai'i" was performed by the combined choirs with the audience joining in on the last chorus.
Mark Gatus, University Assistant Photographer
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6
Around the World Concert
1 of 6
Around the World Concert
Erica Glenn conducting the opening song, "Me-Na-Ri" as choir members file in from where the audience was seated creating a surround sound effect.
Mark Gatus, University Assistant Photographer
2 of 6
Around the World Concert
Seasider Singers perform "I Still Call Australia Home" as two indigenous Australian students join them on stage singing in the aboriginal language.
Mark Gatus, University Assistant Photographer
3 of 6
Around the World Concert
Ho'olōkahi Chamber Choir sings song titled "Fire."
Mark Gatus, University Assistant Photographer
4 of 6
Around the World Concert
Nawai Kauwe was featured in the concert when he performed a French piece titled "Pie Jesu" solo.
Mark Gatus, University Assistant Photographer
5 of 6
Around the World Concert
Caroline James dances on stage in cultural Indian attire during the song "TāReKiTa."
Mark Gatus, University Assistant Photographer
6 of 6
Around the World Concert
Closing song "Hawai'i" was performed by the combined choirs with the audience joining in on the last chorus.
Mark Gatus, University Assistant Photographer
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6
The concert was not merely entertaining but fulfilling. Concert director Erica Glenn gracefully complimented each soloist and took time for the audience to cheer and recognize graduating seniors and students leaving to serve full-time missions. She also will be taking a short hiatus and rejoining campus in the fall upon returning from a research and humanitarian trip to Poland this spring/summer.
Those who attended last Friday's concert were blessed with the songs and sounds representing places all around the world. We commend the student performers and music professors for sharing their talents and skills with our campus community.
