Even with current social distancing restrictions, the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Wind Ensemble is making music and sharing some aloha. The ensemble just released their “Virtual Band” project on YouTube and Facebook.
Part of the UH Bands program, the UH Wind Ensemble hasn’t been able to meet or rehearse in person since instruction at the campus moved online in March. “We really miss rehearsing and making music together,” says Jeffrey Boeckman, Director of Bands and associate professor of music. “This ‘Virtual Band’ project was a way for us to stay connected and hopefully share a little aloha through our music.”
For the project, the students chose Queen Liliʻuokalani’s Aloha ‘Oe, recording their parts separately at home. Malcolm Mekaru, Sustainability Data and Communications Specialist with the UH Office of Sustainability, volunteered to edit all the videos together. The music was arranged by Clarence Hayase for the Central District Band Festival – mahalo to the directors of the CDBF for their permission.