Press Release

The Hawaii Chamber Music Festival (HCMF) continued its third season with a new, innovative concert series, the Chamber Music Olympics. Led by Founder Chris Yick, the series ran from August 10-18 and featured many of today's finest young artists paired with internationally acclaimed performers.

Much like Olympic Games athletes, musicians from around the world will bring their unique story and experience to the stage.

The Chamber Music Olympics began as a dream. In December 2018, Niu Valley Middle School Band Director Zachary Morita (@zacharymorita) was the recipient of a $100,000 prize from the "Dream Big Teacher Challenge Competition" by Farmers Insurance. His dream -- to launch his own music olympics. HCMF dedicates the Chamber Music Olympics to Zach, as we celebrate his achievement and a prelude of what's to come.

"The inspiration behind the chamber music Olympics came from Zach Morita," said HCMF Founder Chris Yick. "The work he does for the community and his students is amazing. Hawaii is lucky to have a devoted music educator like Zach."

The Chamber Music Olympics showcased 16 local and international artists, with some familiar faces as well as new. Having made his Hawaii debut, violist and social media sensation Drew Alexander Forde, a.k.a. ThatViolaKid, also performed in the Olympics.

The Olympics opened on Saturday, August 10 at 7:00 PM, with "Czech-mate!" at St. John Vianney's Parish in Kailua. The program featured Ravel's virtuosic Duo Sonata for Violin and Cello, Schumann's String Quartet No. 1 in A minor, and Dvorak's String Quintet in G Major. Tickets were free, with a suggested donation of $20.

On Sunday, August 11 at 4:00 PM, HCMF will made its premiere in Niu Valley's Calvary by the Sea Church as they presented "Rushin to Russia." The program featured masterworks such as Borodin's famous second string quartet, Tchaikovsky's incredible Souvenir de Florence, and works by Spanish composer Pablo de Sarasate and Argentinian composer Astor Piazzolla. Tickets were free, with a suggested donation of $20.

Concluding the Chamber Olympics, HCMF returned once again to Orvis Auditorium with "Gems in Germany" on Sunday, August 18 at 4:00 PM. For this concert finale, HCMF welcomed Joseph Stepec, the University of Hawaii orchestra director and newly appointed Hawaii Youth Symphony director. This concert was a benefit fundraiser for the University of Hawaii Symphony Orchestra (UHSO) which has been selected to perform in Europe in 2020. The program included Beethoven's Violin Romance in G Major, Brahms' intimate Piano Trio No. 1 in B Major, and octets by Bruch and Mendelssohn.