History – Maui Chamber Orchestra

History

Maui Chamber Orchestra was formed in 2010, under the name Musical Voices Maui (the new name was adopted in 2014). The 2010 season was a single performance of Mozart’s Requiem at Kīhei Baptist Church, for an audience of 600. MCO has grown quickly since then, in both the scope of its season and the size of its audience.

Notable milestones in MCO’s history include:

2013

collaborating with the Maui Academy of Performing Arts, in six performances of Les Misérables at the MACC, with a total audience of 6,000

2014

moving to the historic `Iao Theater as our new performance “home,” and our first multi-program season

2015

collaborating with the Finger Lakes Choral Festival (from New York state) in Mozart’s Mass in C Minor, performed at the MACC and featuring Metropolitan Opera star and O`ahu native, Audrey Luna

2016

securing a substantial, three-year challenge grant from the Daniel W. Dietrich II Foundation, in Philadelphia PA, to grow our donor base

The 2016-17 season featured five programs, ending with Fauré’s Requiem, at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center (MACC) in August 2017, with an estimated audience for the entire season of 4000.

Past Concerts

Planned 2021-22 Season

Orchestra Series — with John Michel, cellist

Regrettably, this concert was canceled because of venue capacity restrictions imposed during the Omicron surge.

ARRIAGA, JUAN C. Overture
J.C. BACH Sinfonia in B-flat, Op. 18, No. 2
MOZART Symphony no. 35 ("Haffner")
TCHAIKOVSKY Andante cantabile for solo cello and strings
TCHAIKOVSKY Variations on a Rococo Theme (Fitzenhagen version)

Chamber Music Series — Music for Woodwinds and Piano

Halekalani Kula

LINK TO FACEBOOK LIVE AUDIO EVENT. Tickets must be purchased online in advance. No ticket sales at the door. COVID POLICY Audience members must present proof of vaccination and photo ID, and remain masked during the performance.

BEETHOVEN Quintet in E-flat Major for Piano and Winds, Op. 16
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ARNOLD Three Shanties for Wind Quintet
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DRING Trio for Flute, Oboe, and Piano
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D'RIVERA Aires Tropicales
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Detailed Program

2019-20

Spring Concert [Postponed due to COVID-19 regulations]

Historic ʻIao Theater

FOR 2-CONCERT ORCHESTRAL SERIES AT DISCOUNTED PRICES, CLICK HERE.

Ignace Jang, conductor and violin soloist
ROSSINI Barber of Seville Overture
VIVALDI Four Seasons (Winter, Spring)
PIAZZOLLA Four Seasons of Buenos Aires
(Winter, Spring)
BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 7

Music for Brass Quintet [Postponed due to COVID-19 regulations]

Kīhei Baptist Chapel

DUKAS Fanfare from La Peri
J.S. BACH Sheep May Safely Graze
ARNOLD Little Suite for Band
EWAZEN Colchester Fantasy
HUSA Divertimento for Brass
PLOG Animal Ditties

Music for Woodwinds and Piano

Virtual concert streamed on Facebook Live

TELEMANN Trio Sonata in A minor, for 2 flutes,
bassoon, and piano Listen to
MOZART Quintet in E-flat major, K452, for oboe, clarinet, bassoon, French horn, and piano Learn aboutListen to
DOPPLER Andante and Rondo, op. 25, for 2 flutes and piano Listen to
POULENC Sextet, for flute, oboe, clarinet, French horn, bassoon, and piano Learn aboutListen to

Music for Four Voices

Kīhei Baptist Chapel

Italian and English love madrigals
BRAHMS Liebeslieder Walzer, Op. 52, with
four-hand piano
Modern love songs, solos/duets with piano

And on Earth, Peace

Historic ʻIao Theater

 

MOZART Regina Coeli
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BACH Brandenburg Concerto No. 3
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BACH Cantata 191 (Gloria in Excelsis Deo)
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BETINIS Behind the Clouds
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RUTTER Shepherd's Pipe Carol
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RUTTER Carol of the Magi
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RUTTER What Sweeter Music
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RUTTER Go, Tell It on the Mountain!
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VAUGHAN WILLIAMS Fantasia on Greensleeves
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MOORE The Ditchling Carol
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and more

2018-19

Young Artists | Rising Stars

Historic ʻIao Theater

Featuring the winners of our Youth Concerto Competition, along with a rising star in the classical music world.

Mozart Overture to The Abduction from the Seraglio
Mendelssohn Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64, I: Allegro molto appassionato
Chopin Concerto No. 1 in E minor, Op. 11, III: Rondo vivace

Mozart Clarinet Concerto in A major (K 622)

Holiday Concert

Historic ʻIao Theater

HANDEL Messiah, HWV 56

Martina Bingham, soprano
Maya Hoover, mezzo-soprano
Nathaniel McEwen, tenor
Levi Hernandez, baritone

Maui Chamber Orchestra follows up Beethoven with the most famous work by the man Beethoven described as “the greatest composer that ever lived” -- George Frideric Handel (1685–1759). Now a perennial Christmas favorite, Handel’s Messiah -- which was composed in less than a month’s time -- debuted in Dublin, Ireland just after Easter in 1742. The tri-partite work describes the foretelling of Christ’s birth, his sacrifice for humankind, and his resurrection from the dead. With the MCO Chorus and a quartet of vocal soloists, the MCO will perform almost the entire oratorio, omitting just a handful of movements from Part 2.

Join us for this joyous, uplifting concert, celebrating the message of peace on Earth!

Beethovenfest

Historic ʻIao Theater



BEETHOVEN Egmont Overture, Op. 84
BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 4, Op. 60
BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 5 ("Emperor"), Op. 73
featuring pianist Jacopo Giacopuzzi

Joseph Haydn, Harmoniemesse

MACC - Castle Theater

2017-18

Crazy For You

Historic ʻIao Theater

The New Gershwin Musical Music and Lyrics by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin Book by Ken Ludwig   Co-Conception by Ken Ludwig and Mike Okrent Inspired by Material by Guy Bolton and John McGowan Originally produced on Broadway by Roger Horchow and Elizabeth Williams The world copyrights in the music of George and Ira Gershwin® […]

Americana

Historic ʻIao Theater

Robert E. Wills, Conductor

Copland Rodeo, Hoe Down (for string orchestra)
Copland Appalachian Spring (chamber version)
Copland Old American Songs
Special Guest Conductor - Michael Russell / Robert E. Wills, soloist
Barber Knoxville: Summer of 1915
Audrey Luna, soprano
Thomson The River Suite

Young Artists Showcase

Historic ʻIao Theater

Read Matthew Gurewitsch’s review Featuring the winners of our very first Youth Concerto Competition — Yxing Guo (violin), Ylang Guo (violin), and Bryce Clearing Sky (piano) — along with Jonah Ellsworth, an up and coming cello phenom from Boston. STUDENT TICKETS: $10 for 18 and under. Click on Purchase Tickets (below, or to the right) Choose a […]

2016-17

French Impressions

MACC - Castle Theater

Enjoy an afternoon of French elegance as the Maui Chamber Orchestra & Chorus presents the shimmering beauty of Impressionist masters, Maurice Ravel and Claude Debussy, along with late-Romantic Gabriel Fauré, who influenced them both. The program includes Debussy’s Sarabande (orchestrated by Ravel), Ravel’s keiki-friendly Ma Mère l’Oye (Mother Goose), and Fauré’s Pelléas et Mélisande suite, […]

Debussy Sarabande – orch. Ravel
Faure Pelleas et Melisande Suite Maurice
Ravel Ma Mère l'Oye (Mother Goose) Suite
Faure Pavane Op. 50 Choral version
Faure Requiem - with Maui Masterworks Chorale

West Side Story in Concert

Historic ʻIao Theater

This year’s Musicals in Concert series is West Side Story’s 60th anniversary and the Maui Chamber Orchestra is one of only 5 orchestras to have ever been given the rights to perform West Side Story in concert. The world’s greatest love story takes to the concert stage in this landmark Maui presentation. From the first […]

Based on a Conception of Jerome Robbins
Book by Arthur Laurents
Music by Leonard Bernstein
Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim

Christmas Holiday Concert

Historic ʻIao Theater

The Maui Chamber Orchestra (MCO) Proudly Presents its Christmas Holiday Concert – Featuring: Telemann: Concerto in B-flat Major for 2 flutes, 2 oboes and strings, TWV 54:B2; J.S. Bach: Magnificat in D major, BWV 243 with Maui Masterworks Chorale; Michael Haydn: Toy Symphony; Rutter: Brother Heinrich’s Christmas, Dale Button – narrator; Carols with orchestra and […]

Telemann Concerto in B-flat Major for 2 oboes, 2 flutes, and 2 strings
J.S. Bach Magnificat in D Major with Maui Masterworks Chorale BWV 243
L. Mozart (attrib.) Toy Symphony
Rutter Brother Heinrich’s Christmas

Carols with Orchestra and Masterworks Chorale

Gala Season Opener

Historic ʻIao Theater

Maui Chamber Orchestra (MCO) proudly presents its Fall concert with Conductor Bob Wills featuring Teresa Skinner, Violist.

Handel Concerto Grosso Op. 6 no 1
Telemann Concerto for Viola TWV51:G9 in G major - Teresa Skinner, Viola
J.S. Bach Brandenburg Concerto #3, BWV 1048 in G major
Schubert Symphony #5, in B flat major, D.458

A Taste of Spain

Historic ʻIao Theater

Maestro Robert Wills and the Maui Chamber Orchestra perform Glinka’s Spanish Overture #2: Summer Night in Madrid; Rodrigo’s Concerto de Aranjuez, featuring Ben Verdery, guitar; and Haydn’s London Symphony #102 in B Flat Major.

Glinka Spanish Overture #2 Summer Night in Madrid
Rodrigo Concierto de Aranjuez – Ben Verdery, guitar
Haydn Symphony #102 in B Major

2014-15

Handel’s Messiah

Historic ʻIao Theater

The Maui Chamber Orchestra presents its Holiday Concert: Handel’s Messiah, Robert E. Wills conducting, with the Maui Masterworks Chorale, featuring soloists Molly Schad, Soprano; Tracey Bloser, Mezzo; Charles Mukaida, Tenor; and Jeremy Wong, Bass.

Handel Messiah

Fall Concert

Historic ʻIao Theater

Maui Chamber Orchestra presents its Fall Concert with performances of the Haydn Trumpet Concerto featuring Pam Humphrey on Trumpet, Stravinsky’s Pulcinella Suite, Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 featuring Lynn Erickson on Trumpet, and Mozart’s Symphony #35 (Haffner). Robert Wills conducting.

Haydn Trumpet Concerto – Pam Humphrey, trumpet
Stravinsky Pulcinella Suite
Bach Brandenburg Concerto #2 – Lynn Erickson, trumpet
Mozart Symphony #35 (Haffner), KV. 385

Mozart’s Great Mass in C Minor

MACC - Castle Theater

Maui Chamber Orchestra presents the Maui Masterworks Festival 2015, an All Mozart Concert featuring Mozart’s Great Mass in C Minor and other masterpieces. Conducted by Robert E. Wills, the Maui Masterworks Chorale will be joined by singers from the New York Finger Lakes Choral Festival, directed by Adrian Horn. Over 100 singers are joined by […]

Mozart Horn Concerto no. 2 in E flat, KV. 417
Mozart La Clemenza di Tito, KV. 621 “Serbate, O Dei Custodi”
Mozart Ave verum corpus, KV. 618
Mozart The Marriage of Figaro, KV. 492—Finale “Contessa Perdono”
Mozart Mass in C minor, KV. 427, “Great Mass”

All-Mozart Concert

Historic ʻIao Theater

Robert Wills conducts the Maui Chamber Orchestra in an all Mozart Concert featuring pianist Lotus Dancer. The program includes the Overture to La Clemenza di Tito, Piano Concert #20 and Symphony #40 in G Minor.

Mozart Overture to La Clemenza di Tito, KV. 621
Mozart Piano concerto #20 D minor KV. 466, Lotus Dancer, pianist
Mozart Symphony #40, KV. 550

Christmas Holiday Concert

Historic ʻIao Theater

Maestro Robert Wills conducts the Maui Chamber Orchestra in Corelli’s Christmas Concerto, Vaughn Williams’ Fantasia on Greensleeves, J.S. Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto #4 and Selections from the Christmas Oratorio (with the Maui Masterworks Chorale).

Corelli Concerto Grosso in G minor, Op. 6 No. 8, “Christmas Concerto”
Vaughan Williams Fantasia on Greensleeves
Bach Brandenburg #4, BWV. 1049
J.S. Bach Christmas Oratorio, BWV. 248, Cantata 1 (for Christmas Day) and selections from some of the other cantatas

Fall Inaugural Concert

Historic ʻIao Theater

Maestro Robert E. Wills conducts the Maui Chamber Orchestra in its Fall Inaugural Concert. On the program are Mendelssohn’s Fingal’s Cave Orchestra, Handel’s Water Music Suite #1, Vaughan Williams’ English Folk Song Suite, and Beethoven’s Symphony #6 (Pastoral).

Mendelssohn Herbrides Overture (Fingal’s Cave), Op. 26
Handel Water Music Suite #1 in F major, HWV 348
Vaughan Williams English Folk Song Suite
Beethoven Symphony #6, Op. 68

Debut Concert

Historic ʻIao Theater

Director Robert E. Wills conducts the Maui Chamber Orchestra and the 60-voice Masterworks Chorus in Mozart’s Overture to The Marriage of Figaro, Faure’s Cantique de Jean Racine, Vivaldi’s Gloria, and Mozart’s Symphony #41 (Jupiter).

Mozart Overture to The Marriage of Figaro, KV. 492
Faure Cantique de Jean Racine, Op. 11, arranged for MCO inaugural concert by Layton “Skip” James
Vivaldi Gloria, R.V. 589
Mozart Symphony #41 (Jupiter), KV. 551

2012-13

Les Misérables

MACC - Castle Theater

After months of rehearsals, MAPA’s production of Les Misérables will be opening this Friday, Aug. 16 in the MACC’s Castle Theater. Performed live for the first time ever on a Maui stage, there will be just six chances to catch it over the next two weekends. Based on Victor Hugo’s classic 1862 novel of the […]

Music Claude-Michel Schöenberg
Original French lyrics Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Nate
English-language libretto Herbert Kretzmer

2010-11

Vivaldi, Mozart & Bach

Vivaldi Concerto for two Trumpets, R.V. 537
Mozart Vesperae Solennes de Confessore, KV. 339
J. S. Bach Magnificat in D, BWV. 243