UH Community Colleges hosts renowned Hakuoh University Handbell Choir

University of Hawaiʻi
Contact:
Susan Lee, (808) 956-5852
University of Hawaii Community Colleges
Deborah Nakagawa, (808) 956-0321
University of Hawaii Community Colleges
Posted: Jan 25, 2013

Twenty student handbell ringers make up the Hakuoh University Handbell Choir.
Twenty student handbell ringers make up the Hakuoh University Handbell Choir.
The choir will be on Oahu for its 22nd Goodwill Tour of Hawaii.
The choir will be on Oahu for its 22nd Goodwill Tour of Hawaii.
HONOLULU (January 25, 2013) – Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the internationally-recognized Hakuoh University Handbell Choir will be on O‘ahu from February 13-15 for its 22nd Goodwill Tour of Hawai‘i, offering three public concerts, scheduled performances for friends of Hakuoh University, and more than 500 O‘ahu school children.
 
Led by acclaimed director Hirotaka Arai, who founded the choir in 1988, the 20 student handbell ringers will perform free public concerts on:
  • Wednesday, February 13, at 7 p.m. at Windward Community College’s Palikū Theatre, 45-720 Kea‘ahala Rd., Kane‘ohe
  • Thursday, February 14, at 10 a.m. at Leeward Community College Theatre, 96-045 Ala ‘Ike, Pearl City
  • Friday, February 15, at 7 p.m. at United Church of Christ, 467 North Judd St., Honolulu
 
The choir will perform a range of selections from classical standards including Mozart’s “Le nozze di Figaro” to contemporary hits from the musical “The Lion King.” The choir has the capacity to ring seven octaves of handbells, and their dedication to practice and performance has created worldwide demand for their music.
 
The Goodwill Tour of Hawai‘i includes a performance for friends of Hakuoh University at a Friendship Luncheon on Friday, February 15, at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i’s Mānoa Grand Ballroom. In addition, they have scheduled free concerts for students on Wednesday, February 13, at Windward Community College and on Thursday, February 14, at Leeward Community College.
 
From their home in Oyama City, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan, Hakuoh’s ensemble has traveled to performances in Canada, England, and Australia and has entertained audiences including the Emperor and Empress of Japan and the King and Queen of Belgium. They have performed at Disney World and Tokyo Disneyland and have plans to participate in the August 2012 symposium in Liverpool, England.
 
In February 2008, Hakuoh University signed an international cooperative agreement with the University of Hawai‘i Community Colleges. The annual Handbell Choir Concert, co-sponsored by Hakuoh University and the UH Community Colleges, is one of the cooperative activities undertaken by the two institutions.
 
For more information about the choir’s performances, call (808) 956-0321.