UH Mānoa Graduate Presents Japan Fusion Concert

In Composition, Department News, Ethnomusicology by General Entries

Star performers from UH Mānoa present a one-time-only concert fusing Japanese bamboo flute with Chinese and Japanese zithers at the Doris Duke Theater September 17th at 7pm. Chris Molina (shakuhachi) is joined by Darin Miyashiro (koto) and Yi-chieh Lai (guzheng), as well as shakuhachi experts Steven Taizen Casano and Robert Herr. The program mixes pop, rock, and art music with traditional Chinese and Japanese songs, including classical Japanese dance.

Mr. Molina returns to UH Mānoa PhD Music Composition studies after spending the summer in Tokyo. While there he studied and composed works for shamisen and koto under the guidance of instructors at Senzoku Gakuen School of Music. Also, Mr. Molina’s ongoing studies with Master Matama Kazushi of the Kokusai Shakuhachi Kenshûkan afford him a great deal of flexibility to explore diverse shakuhachi repertoires.

Japanese culture is strongly represented at UH Mānoa. Together with classroom study, a number of ensembles also sharpen students’ skills in traditional and contemporary musical practices. Mr. Molina, who also teaches classes in music theory and aural skills, finds opportunities to apply Japanese and other world music approaches to understanding fundamental concepts in his UH Mānoa classroom instruction.

For more information from the Doris Duke Theatre website, click here.

Post by John Paul Brabant