‘Rising Up’: Kamuela Philharmonic Returns to Kahilu For 18th Season

The Kamuela Philharmonic Orchestra, like the rest of the world, is moving forward and “Rising Up!” for its 18th season and will make its long-awaited return to Kahilu Theatre in Waimea with a series of MasterWorks performances and its first-ever season pops concert.

“Forward movement is a consistent theme brought to life in our series of MasterWorks concerts — aligning our intentions with the reality that we, as a society and a community, move forward together,” Kamuela Philharmonic artistic director and conductor Brian Dollinger said in a press release. “Together, our journey for the last two years has been one of adaptation to a new world. I am eager for the philharmonic to perform in front of our fantastic audience again at Kahilu Theatre this season.”

This year’s season opens Sept. 25 and runs through May 21, 2023. All concerts are matinee performances, starting at 2 p.m. at the Kahilu.

The 2022-23 season will showcase a variety of beloved classics and yet-to-be-discovered works and will feature guest artists from throughout the state and around the world. Taking center stage will be the pops concert, internationally acclaimed violinist Sirena Huang, winners of the youth concerto competition, a world premiere by Hilo-based composer Irminsul, the Hawai‘i Island premiere of American composer David Stern and much more.

“Our season includes some fantastic surprises for our fans, one of which is our pops concert on the weekend of National Armed Forces Day,” Dollinger said in the press release. “The performance theme lends itself perfectly to celebrating our country’s brave servicemen. It will be a celebration of epic proportions.”

The Kamuela Philharmonic’s 18th season lineup includes:

• “A Dynamic Return,” Sept. 25: In the season opener, the orchestra will explore the notion of the world moving forward. The program includes the premiere of Stern’s “Rhapsody for Violin and Strings,” which will showcase the orchestra’s concertmaster Ursula Vietze.
• “The Talent that Surrounds Us,” Jan. 22, 2023: The winter concert showcases talent from throughout Hawai‘i, including winners of this season’s Young Artist Concerto Competition. The orchestra also will highlight Irminsul in the world premiere of his “The Three Virtues of Zarathustra.”
• “Brilliant!” March 26, 2023: The orchestra will feature Brahms’s captivating and unforgettable Symphony No.1. International violin competition winner and Huang also will join the orchestra to perform Dvorák’s genre-packed Violin Concerto in A minor.
• “POPS!” May 21, 2023: Many talented Big Island musicians will join the orchestra for this concert, which will include performances of light-famous classical works intermixed with an eclectic collection of selections for stage and screen.

Season subscriptions are now on sale. Subscribers receive discounts on tickets and early access to reserve their preferred seats for every concert during the season.

VIP subscribers who purchase seats in Section A receive the benefits listed above plus $74 off tickets for the season, subscription priority for the next season, priority for tickets to all non-subscription events and invitations to exclusive Kamuela Philharmonic events.

Subscription packages are available online, by calling the Kahilu Theatre box office at 808-885-6868 or visiting the box office from noon-5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. The theater is located at 67-1186 Lindsey Road in Waimea.

For more information about season subscriptions, click here.

The Kamuela Philharmonic Orchestra celebrates and promotes the timeless beauty of classical music, as well as the rich cultural and musical traditions of the Hawaiian people. For more information, check out the orchestra’s website. You can also follow the Kamuela Philharmonic on Facebook.