Kona Music Society invites music patrons to an afternoon benefit concert and silent auction at 3 p.m. April 6.
“Love Songs for a Spring Afternoon,” will be held as a salon-style concert at a private residence in Makalei Estates, featuring top island talent in an intimate gathering of music enthusiasts.
Performing separately and together for the concert will be Amy Mills, soprano; Bernardo Evangelista, tenor; and Gloria Juan, vocal accompanist on piano. The second half of the concert will lead off with solo pianist Alex Walter.
“We wanted to bring together several local talents,” Kona Music Society artistic director Susan McCreary Duprey said, explaining that this is the first time the musicians will be performing together at a public event. “Gloria and Bernardo play and sing regularly with KMS, Alex Walter is a director on the KMS board, and Amy Mills is a talented soprano from Waimea. It’s sort of our idea of musical fantasy football.”
This choral presentation of renowned island musicians will give audiences a chance to indulge in a melodic journey through love ballads and spring sonnets. The performers arranged the concert’s musical selections with elements of romantic undertones and sentimental narratives to embrace the traditional house concert format. The two-hour show will include a 15-minute intermission and will be accompanied by complimentary wine, beverages, and locally catered appetizers.
In addition to the live vocal and instrumental show, the afternoon will feature a silent auction. Highlighting the best of what Hawaii Island has to offer, a wide arrangement of donated items will be up for auction from art and activities to gourmet food, dining.
The concert and silent auction, “Love Songs for a Spring Afternoon,” acts as one of Kona Music Society’s two annual benefits to support the nonprofit organization. Proceeds from tickets and the auction will be used to sustain chorus programming, concert expenses, and the youth program.
Founded in 1990 as the Kona Community Chorus, the now 75-member-strong organization is dedicated to bringing the community choral music from masterworks to local traditions. With a volunteer chorus comprised of vocalists from across West Hawaii, the program has expanded over the years, including a partnership with orchestral musicians from Kamuela Philharmonic and the development of the popular Youth Chorus for children in primary and secondary schools. While ticket sales cover a percentage of the cost of the three to four annual chorus concerts, it is through benefits like “Love Songs for a Spring Afternoon,” that Kona Music Society meets its budgetary needs, while personally connecting residents and visitors with the intimate experience of live choral performance.
“The event offers a delightful way to spend a Sunday spring afternoon, listening to good music about love and springtime, drinking wine, eating pupu, and socializing with neighbors, friends and other KMS supporters,” Duprey said. “This is the first time that these talented musicians have performed together at a single event. Hopefully, guests will leave with love in their hearts, a spring in their steps, and a few goodies from our silent auction.”
Tickets are limited and will be sold on a first-come, first-serve basis. The home address and directions will be provided to registered guests. For more information visit konamusicsociety.org or call 334-9880.