Aloha friends.

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Many of you, no doubt, have special memories of our recently completed 2025-2026 season. Perhaps some of the following are in your list. The remarkable opening concert by Duo Karolina and Iwo on violin and accordion (the latter having 260 keys!) was truly spectacular. The next two concerts introduced us to unusual instruments, first Paul Galbraith’s eight-string guitar, and then the baryton, a relic from the 18th century which is experiencing somewhat of a revival. The oh so poignant second movement of Schubert’s “Death and the Maiden” string quartet, performed by the Parker Quartet is still in my head and soul; yours too? The passionate performance by the Eroica Duo was deeply felt by many audience members, who also enjoyed the Duo’s repartee with them. Ran Dank thrilled us with a tour de force performance of La Valse. The final concert of the season, with Honolulu’s Spring Wind Quintet and pianist David Fung, in various combinations of instruments, had something for virtually every musical taste. 

The forthcoming 2026-2027 season is a work in progress, but the HCS Board already is finalizing many of our presentations. We are sure that the quality and diversity will match that of previous seasons. The Neave Trio (violin, cello, and piano), praised by critics for its passion, sensitivity, and grace, will open the season. The season will also feature the young pianist Mackenzie Melemed, recent winner of an Avery Fisher career grant, and Yu and I (YuEun Gemma Kim and Ines Thomé) and their combination of instruments we have never previously presented - violin and guitar. The Honolulu Brass Quintet is scheduled to perform a holiday concert in early December. And in March, in tribute to Beethoven, who died 200 years ago, we will have a concert on pianoforte, the keyboard instrument for which Beethoven, Mozart, and Haydn composed. The fortepianist, Daniel Maltz, has been described as “an ambassador from another time.”

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To organize and present a season takes time, thought, and effort, which our all-volunteer board is happy to provide. As you know, it also takes financial contributions to help cover artists’ fees and travel, production costs, theater rental, insurance, and other expenses, which are steadily rising in these uncertain economic times. Our members provide the financial platform upon which each season is based. They also help to cover the costs of bringing our artists into contact with students via master classes and educational performances. 

In the 2026-2027 season we face an additional challenge: the UH Hilo Performing Arts Center will be closed for eight months, with renovations starting January 1, 2027. We are committed to utilizing other venues for our concerts during the winter and spring of the coming season, despite any additional cost and the additional effort involved. Your tax-deductible contribution to the Concert Society reflects your commitment to our mission of bringing world-class artists to our community and giving our young, aspiring musicians the opportunity to interact with artists at the tops of their fields. At the same time, you will be helping us keep the price of tickets affordable to our friends and neighbors who otherwise might not be able to enjoy these performances. If you are already a member, we ask you to consider increasing your contribution as a vital investment in the enrichment of our community’s cultural health. We look forward to your generous support.

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On behalf of the HCS board, yours sincerely, 

Thomas R. Geballe, President