UH Community Colleges host internationally recognized Hakuoh University Handbell Choir

University of Hawaiʻi
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Posted: Feb 6, 2017

Hakuoh University Handbell Choir
Hakuoh University Handbell Choir

HONOLULU – Celebrating its 29th anniversary, the internationally-recognized Hakuoh University Handbell Choir will be on O‘ahu from February 27 - March 6 for its 26th Goodwill Tour of Hawai‘i, offering two public concerts, scheduled performances for friends of Hakuoh University, and O‘ahu school children.  

Led by acclaimed director Hirotaka Arai, who founded the choir in 1988, the 17-student handbell ringers will perform free public concerts on: 

March 1, at 7 p.m. at Windward Community College, 45-720 Keaahala Rd., Kāne‘ohe

March 2, at 7 p.m. at Central Union Church, 1660 S. Beretania St., Honolulu

The choir will perform a range of selections from classical standards including Pachelbel’s “Canon in D” to contemporary hits from Disney’s Frozen “Let it Go” as well as a Hawaiian favorite “Hawai‘i Aloha.”  The choir has the capacity to ring seven octaves of handbells, and their dedication to practice and performance has created worldwide demand for their music.

From their home in Oyama City, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan, Hakuoh’s ensemble has traveled to performances in Canada, England, Australia, and South Korea, and has entertained audiences including the Emperor and Empress of Japan and the King and Queen of Belgium.  They have performed at Disney World, Tokyo Disneyland, and at the International Handbell Symposium in Vancouver, Canada in July 2016.

In September 2013, Hakuoh University renewed an international cooperative agreement with the University of Hawai‘i Community Colleges. The annual Handbell Choir Concert, co-sponsored by Hakuoh University and the UH Community Colleges, is one of the cooperative activities undertaken by the two institutions.

For more information about the choir’s performances,