The BYU–Hawaii Concert Choir will embark on a musical tour to New Zealand and Australia under the direction of Michael Belnap, from June 10 through June 24. Throughout the tour, the choir will perform for various audiences including members of all faiths and important dignitaries in both countries with a variety of spiritual and secular repertoire.
The 2013 BYU–Hawaii Concert Choir consists of 45 members, including members from the countries of Japan, Taiwan, Korea, New Zealand, Trinidad and Tobago and the United States. “One of the many cool parts of being a member of this choir is singing with people from all walks of life,” said John Fryhoff, a member of the choir. “There is nothing more empowering than singing with voices from all over the world.”
Entitled Na Leo ‘O Aloha: Music of the Islands, the tour will feature songs from Hawaii, Samoa, New Zealand, Australia, Africa, and Indonesia. The purpose of the choir tour is to increase the spiritual well-being of Latter-Day Saints, to change lives through music, service and proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ, and to be ambassadors of BYU–Hawaii by sharing the benefits of attending this multi-cultural university. In order to do this properly, the students have been preparing both spiritually and physically for months so they can spread peace by singing together in harmony and aloha.
A Bon Voyage concert will take place on Friday, June 7, at 7:30 PM in the BYU–Hawaii McKay Auditorium as the Concert Choir prepares to perform for the people in New Zealand and Australia.
Listed below is the BYU–Hawaii Concert Choir schedule of performances dates, times and places in New Zealand and Australia:
New Zealand:
June 12: Multi Stake Youth/YSA Devotional at Muir Park Chapel, Hamilton
June 13: Founders Theatre, Hamilton at 7:00 PM
June 14: Regional Youth Devotional at Robertson Rd Chapel, Auckland
June 15: Holy Trinity Cathedral, Auckland at 7:00 PM
June 16: Multi-Stake YSA Musical Fireside at Redoubt Chapel, Auckland
June 18: Te Papa Museum, ‘Matariki Festival’ Celebrations, Wellington at 12:00 PM
Te Rauparaha Arena, Porirua at 7:00 PM
Australia:
June 20: Multi-Faith Concert at Griffith University at 7:00 PM
June 22: Brisbane City Hall, 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM
June 23: Multi-Stake YSA Fireside at Karawatha Chapel at 7:00 PM