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women playing handbells
Hakuoh University Handbell Choir

The internationally recognized Hakuoh University Handbell Choir will perform two free public concerts on February 14 and 15, co–sponsored by the University of Hawaiʻi Community Colleges.

Performances are Tuesday, February 14 at 7 p.m. at Central Union Church, 1660 South Beretania Street, Honolulu, and Wednesday, February 15, at 7 p.m. at Windward Community College’s Paliku Theatre, 45-720 Keaʻahala Road, Kāneʻohe.

The 19-member choir will perform selections ranging from from classical standards to contemporary musical hits, ringing seven octaves of handbells.

The choir kicks off its goodwill tour of Hawaiʻi with a performance for friends of Hakuoh University at a luncheon on Tuesday February 14 at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaiʻi’s Mānoa Grand Ballroom.

The group will also present free concerts for students on Wednesday, February 15, at Windward Community College and on Thursday, February 16, at Kapolei Middle School and Island Pacific Academy.

About the Choir

Led by acclaimed director Hirotaka Arai, who founded the choir in 1988, the all-female student ensemble is from Oyama City, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. It has performed in Canada, England and Australia and before the Emperor and Empress of Japan and the King and Queen of Belgium. It has also appeared at Disney World and Tokyo Disneyland.

In February 2008, Hakuoh University signed a cooperative agreement with the University of Hawaiʻi Community Colleges. The annual Handbell Choir Concert is one of the cooperative activities.

For more information, call (808) 956-0321.

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