Orchid Isle Orchestra presents a “Christmas Café” concert on Sunday, December 18, 4 P.M., at the East Hawaii Cultural Center in Hilo.
Catherine McMichael’s Café Suite, featured on the menu, includes four “courses” – The Goldfinch Rag, Only You, Sunday Stroll, and Tango de Teri. The Suite is written for string orchestra and piano, and includes violin and bass soli. Guest conductor David MacKenzie will serve that plus entreés of Claude T. Smith’s Overture: Our Creed is Our Shield and an orchestral arrangement of Danny Boy. Jamey Ray created a vocal arrangement of the Irish melody, and OIO’s Artistic Director, Cathy Young set it for strings.
Music appetizers include the first movement of Haydn’s Quinten Quartet (played by OIO members) and other classical and fiddling music provided by Young Music Studio. For dessert, OIO invites the audience to sing along with some favorite Christmas carols. For health safety, masking is recommended.
Orchid Isle Orchestra celebrates its 16th year in performing. Concert admission is free. All donations are welcome and will benefit OIO, OIO’s fiscal agent East Hawaii Cultural Center, and string music education in East Hawaii.