Instrumental Concert

MAC News Release

After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the Galliard String Quartet (Quartet) returns to Molokai to perform with the Molokai Instrumental Music Education Program (MIME) on Monday, May 9 at 6 p.m. at the Saint Damien Catholic Church.

The MIME program began as a 21st Century class in 2011, taught after school by Bob Underwood and open to anyone who wanted to connect with music. The Molokai Strings and Community Band performed at community events and evolved into MIME. During the pandemic, individual musicians finessed into the more polished Septet that has wowed Molokai audiences with songs from Beatles to showtunes to pop. Their most recent performances highlighted collaborations with local songbirds Keaka Kaiama and Kananikala Bishaw-Juario as well as local musician John Aki. MIME will open the program at 6 p.m.

The Quartet, performing at 7 p.m, is Hawaii’s leading professional string quartet and has performed all over the islands. Their first performance on Molokai with MIME was in 2013. Passionate for the music of Beethoven, Brahms, Shostakovich, and songs of our Queen Lili‘uokalani, the Galliard was founded in 1982 and is known throughout the islands for their high standards and commitment to high quality performances and education outreach concerts. Recent highlights and collaborations include acclaimed pianist Wu Han, Joyce Yang, and Jon Nakamatsu, Hawaiian artist Raiatea Helm, conductor and silent film historian Rick Benjamin, composer Jon Magnussen, Onium Ballet, Hawaii Contemporary Triennial 2022, Iolani Palace, Hawaii Vocal Arts Ensemble, and the PA‘I Foundation. All four members of the present Quartet — Wu Hung, Dr. Helen Liu, Anna Womack, and Dr. Sung Chan Chang – are members of the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra and are seasoned teachers and music educators in the community.

Come enjoy some Beethoven, Mozart, Hawaiian and Disney favorites, maybe a few Beatles and pop standards too, at the free concert co-sponsored by the Molokai Arts Center, a nonprofit arts education program.