By Staff Reports
(Honolulu) – The Hawaii Symphony Orchestra today announced it is presenting its first “Pops” concert this spring with a performance of “Star Wars and More: The Best of John Williams.” Stuart Chafetz will conduct the special, one-performance show at the Blaisdell Concert Hall on Friday, March 14 at 7:30 p.m. The excitement of Tinseltown will come alive with music from “Star Wars,” “E.T.,” “Schindler’s List,” “Jaws,” “Harry Potter,” “Raiders of the Lost Ark” and more.
“I am thrilled to be back and conducting the Hawaii Symphony in such a great, fun-filled tribute to an American icon, John Williams,” Chafetz said. “This program showcases the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra performing a variety of Williams’ greatest movie scores. It’s a chance to relive some of the most memorable musical moments in Hollywood history. I can’t wait to share it with our audience.”
Chafetz is a conductor with an affable podium demeanor and a keen sense of audience engagement. He is well known to Hawaii audiences and has become a sought-after pops conductor on the mainland. Chafetz will be on the podium this season in Baltimore, Houston, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Columbus and in many other cities. He previously held posts as Resident Conductor of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and Associate Conductor of the Louisville Orchestra. Chafetz was also the principal timpanist of the Honolulu Symphony for 20 years.
“We are very excited to have Stuart bring his great pops program home to Honolulu,” said HSO Executive Director Jonathan Parrish. “We think the audience will be delighted to see our musicians perform some non-classical classics.” Tickets range from $27 to $71 and go on sale Friday at 9 a.m. at the Blaisdell Box Office, online at www.HawaiiSymphonyOrchestra.org or by phone at (800) 745-3000.
HSO’s six-concert Halekulani Masterworks Spring 2014 series begins March 16 with an all-Beethoven concert.
About the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra
The Hawaii Symphony Orchestra, Hawaii’s orchestra, is composed of 84 professional musicians who have won the enthusiastic praise of the nationally and internationally renowned soloists and guest conductors who have performed with it.
The 2014 HSO season is supported by the State of Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations Office of Community Services.
For more information or to make a donation, please visit: http://hawaiisymphonyorchestra.org
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