The program, which is free and open to the public, commences with the Maui Cello Quartet, delivering a broad spectrum of classical music from Baroque to modern day compositions. Their unique blends of sound were one of the main highlights at last year’s festival.
A performance by the young students of Suzuki-Maui Talent Education and Ability Development follows at 4:15 p.m. Suzuki-Maui Talent Education and Development was founded by Teresa Skinner, who also acts as the group’s director. A long-time Maui resident and well-known musician, she performs regularly with the Maui Pops and as a freelance musician. Formerly, she was a founding member of the Maui Symphony Orchestra and a member of the Honolulu Symphony (both groups are now defunct). Her Suzuki pupils usually range in age from 5 to 15 years, and learn to play their stringed instruments by ear.
Tatyana Shaprio-Leiste, a professional, classically-trained concert harpist from St. Petersburg, Russia, will share pieces by Handel, Tchaikovsky, Debussy, Donizetti, Gliere and more beginning at 4:50 p.m. Shaprio-Leiste has been working as an orchestra harpist and solo performer, recording artist, composer and arranger, and private harp and piano teacher, and has also performed on television, including an episode last year of “Dancing with the Stars.”
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Smooth your mood with an enchanting performance from classically-trained and world- renowned concert harpist Tatyana Shaprio-Leiste during 2011 Maui Invitational Music Festival’s classical music concert on Saturday, May 21, from 3:30 to 6 p.m. at the Baldwin Home on Front Street in Lahaina. Visit www.aecg.org for more information.
The sonic sensations of the Maui Brass Ensemble concludes the event at 5:30 p.m., with music by Pezel, Bach and Handel, a Scott Joplin rag, and two Japanese folk songs, “Sakura” and “Kimigayo.” The island quartet is a collaboration of cellists from the Maui Pops Orchestra, and for over 20 years, the group has performed on Maui specializing in classical music and popular annual holiday concerts. Members are top-notch musicians and regular performers with Maui Pops, the Maui Community Band and abroad.
The annual Maui Invitational Music Festival events are presented by Arts Education for Children Group (AECG), a nonprofit organization founded in 1996 that is dedicated to providing opportunities for artistic and cultural enrichment.
The festival is supported by the county Office of Economic Development and Hawai‘i Tourism Authority. Stay tuned for more classical elegance during another classical music concert on Thursday, June 30, at 7 p.m. at Queen Ka‘ahumanu Center. Also, pencil in the celebration’s Jazz and Blues Fest on July 1 and 2 at 6:30 p.m. at the ‘Ïao Theater in Wailuku, and gather the family for the “July 4th Concert in the Park” on Lahaina Public Library’s lawn along Front Street in Lahaina. The holiday show is free, and is followed by Maui’s annual fireworks display.
The free, open-air May 21 classical music concert takes place at The Baldwin Home, located at 696 Front St. in Lahaina. Paid parking is available behind the Baldwin Home (enter from Dickenson Street); proceeds go toward the preservation and continued maintenance of Lahaina’s historic sites.
