Honolulu Symphony

When you go to a Honolulu Symphony concert, prepare to be moved.

I know people refer to concerts as entertainment, which Symphony concerts certainly are, but the experience goes much deeper than that. I compare it to seeing a great and rare painting in a museum or tasting exquisite food by a master chef or even attending a deeply moving worship service - those are all spiritual experiences, and if you put more into you, you get more out of it.

People come to the Symphony in comfortable, casual, yet somewhat dressy clothes. Often you see people come in their work clothes after a day at the office. At the concert hall, you can hang out in the lobby and get a drink or a snack. It's best to give yourself some time before the performance to read over the program to understand the music you're about to experience.

For a classical concert, referred to as Masterworks, there are usually two works on the first half (including a concerto featuring a solo artist), an intermission, and a longer work on the second half (a full symphony). Under the direction of Andreas Delfs, the Symphony has a very rich, expressive sound. You can indulge in each moment, but tempos are never too slow, so you'll always feel that you are moving forward as you listen. The music of Mozart and Beethoven, and of course, my favorite, Brahms, is some of the most technically challenging stuff a musician can get under his or her fingers. But when you're in the audience it never feels "technical" - the music always transcends that. There is a connection between musicians on stage and the audience. It's a large hall, but once the music starts, it never feels that way.

For those more interested in pop music, the Pops series hits that sweet spot of giving you that full-orchestra sound while featuring your favorite artists. I've been to so many memorable concerts in the past. My favorites include Micheal Feinsten, Diane Reeves, C&K (love!) and Amy Gilliom (my number one local female vocalist). Grammy Award-winning conductor Matt Catingub is like no other Pops conductor in the country. He arranges the scores for the full orchestra, and some of his big band style really shines through. The brass section wails, and Catingub even has some individual musicians do improv solos. There was one concert when a violinist, accompanied by full orchestra, played a 12-bar blues solo, then the bassoonist followed and did a 12-bar improv as well. When's the last time you heard anything like that?

Anyway, some words of caution, not so much if you go to the Pops, but the Masterworks. There's this unspoken rule about being silent during the performance, which was, at first, a rule I didn't fully "get." Things like opening candy wrappers or even whispering might earn you a "stink eye" or a "sshhhh" from a neighbor. Don't let that discourage you. I would say that most people are congenial and that mean people are the exception. For me, I've learned that the silence affords me the chance to create a personal space between me and the music. Once the lights go down, I'm on a personal getaway, and I love every minute of it.

Go support Hawaii's only professional orchestra.  If we don't support them, we could lose them.  A city is not considered a major one unless they have their own symphony!

If you have a short attention span I recommend the Pops! concerts.  I enjoyed seeing Don Tiki perform with the symphony, and I love their performances put on with Hawaii Opera Theater.  Going to the symphony is a nice alternative for a night out.  

If you hurry across the street to TGI Fridays, you'll have time DURING intermission to guzzle a quick drink.  :)  That way you could avoid the over-priced drinks at the Blaisdell Concert Hall.  

Or eat dinner before (or after on Sundays) at nearby Ward Centers or at a restaurant along King Street.

Dress is casual (but not ghetto, please) to formal.  Be comfortable in your aloha attire or even jeans OR dress it up; your choice!

Do not bring crying babies.  Do not try to sneak in food, especially if it requires unwrapping (yes, everyone can hear you opening that piece of candy!  Pop in your cough drop between pieces, not during that tension-filled quiet moment during the music...).