The Mokihana Club has announced the winners of its 37th annual music scholarship competition. Seven graduating seniors from Waimea, Kaua‘i, Kapa‘a and Island high schools, all vying for top honors and scholarships, presented their selections for the club in early
The Mokihana Club has announced the winners of its 37th annual music scholarship competition. Seven graduating seniors from Waimea, Kaua‘i, Kapa‘a and Island high schools, all vying for top honors and scholarships, presented their selections for the club in early April.
Island School senior Dianna Cowern received top honors for her presentation of both classical vocal and piano selections. She will receive $3,000 to help with her first-year college expenses. Cowern has been accepted at MIT, UCLA and other universities. Fluent in Spanish, she was a foreign exchange student, and a member of All-State Honor Choir.
Second place went to Carolyn Hoeckmann-Percival on clarinet. She played “Adagio e Tarantella” by Cavallini, accompanied by Ruth Cassel. Hoeckmann-Percival plays several instruments, participates in the Waimea High School Band, and also commutes to Lihu‘e to participate in the KCC concert and jazz bands.
The award of $2,000 will be utilized in her music studies at Mount Holyoke College where she will matriculate in the fall.
A tie for third place gave Beatrice Wu and Michael Brewer each $1,000. Both plan to continue their music studies, Wu at Scripps College, and Brewer at the University of Portland.
Michael Brewer, member of Kapa‘a High School and KCC jazz and concert bands, played from memory “Concerto in F Minor” by George Frederic Handel on slide trombone. Dr. Tomory accompanied Brewer.
Two vocalists and a clarinetist rounded out the delightful program at the Lihue Parish Hall. Chadwin Andres, winner of many music awards, and proficient on several wind instruments, is a member of the Kaua‘i High School and KCC bands. His expressive “Clarinet Concerto” by Carl Maria Von Weber, was accompanied by Dr. Tomory.
Juno Apalla sang the classical “Pie Jesu” from “Requiem” by Rutter, accompanied by Alan Van Zee. A veteran of KPAC, Juno’s clear timbre also makes her a regular soloist with the Kaua‘i High Singers and her church choir. She recently enthralled audiences with her performance in “Thoroughly Modern Millie.”
Tayler Dabin, a soloist with her church and Island School choir, is active in sports, Venture Scouts and is a Hawai‘i Youth Conservation Corps member. Her animated and graceful vocal rendition of “Don’t Forget to Remember Me,” by Hayes, was accompanied by her father on guitar.
