Aloha!

Iolani School and the Suzuki Association of Hawaii are bringing a remarkable, internationally acclaimed music group to Hawaii this month.  Wolgemut, a Renaissance/Medieval Band, will present two public performances (Jan. 25 and 27) – see the attached flyer for details.  This unique event will appeal to anyone interested in European history and culture, music and music history, and dance.  Students and teachers will find these performances not only educational but invigorating, delightful, and just plain fun.  Please help us to spread the word !

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Lisa Gomes

Tel: 235-3933 (for interviews, call 783-5770)

Email: vernlisa@hawaii.rr.com

Contact for Iolani Performance: Dan Padilla at 386-6987

High-Resolution Photos: www.bluegrasshawaii.com/wolgemut.html

Swedish Medieval Band WOLGEMUT

To Perform In Hawai`i in January

At A Glance: WOLGEMUT IN CONCERT

@ Saturday, January 27^th, 3:30-5:00 PM: Seto Hall, Iolani School—FREE concert

@ Thursday, January 25, 7:30 PM and Saturday, January 27, 8:00 PM: Hawaii Pacific University’s Loo Theatre, Kailua campus on Kam Hwy.; $15/general admission, $10/seniors & students; $3 for HPU students

Wolgemut (vol-ga-moot) is an ancient Germanic word which simply means “to be in a good mood.” It’s also the name of a unique troupe of international musicians who don medieval minstrel costumes and perform songs inspired by the music of the Middle Ages and Renaissance, on one-of-a-kind replicas of period instruments.

The members of Wolgemut, who make their Hawai`i debut in January, bring fun, humor, and endless amounts of energy to each concert. Their approach to their art is serious, but that’s where the seriousness ends; the goal of every performance is to leave the audience in a good mood.

Originally from Germany, Wolgemut has expanded into an international troupe of musicians who perform regularly at festivals and concerts throughout Europe and the U.S. Their musical inspiration comes from a variety of resources: 12^th century Latin goliards, 13^th century Spanish cantigas, 14^th and 16^th century Italian and French court dances, and rollicking English country dances from the 17^th century.

The band’s educational lectures and workshops are structured to delight and fascinate both young and old, as members describe their music, its history, and their unique instruments (the vielle, or medieval fiddle; bagpipes from Germany, Holland, and Sweden; the moraharpa, an ancient keyed fiddle from Sweden; the harp; and a variety of percussion instruments). Not just for students of medieval music, Wolgemut’s educational sessions also touch on topics of general interest, like musicianship and relating to audiences.

To learn more about Wolgemut, visit www.wolgemut.net. A brief video clip may be found at http://youtube.com/watch?v=Id5nxXJwPGU.

Iolani School and the Suzuki Association of Hawaii are proud to host a concert featuring this widely-acclaimed international band as part of their continuing support and promotion of the arts for the community. A free public performance will be held on Saturday, January 27 th, from 3:30–5:00 PM at Seto Hall, Iolani campus. Information for the Iolani performance may be obtained at 386-6987. Wolgemut will also perform for Windward audiences at Hawaii Pacific University’s Loo Theatre at the Kailua campus on Thursday, January 25, 7:30 PM and Saturday, January 27 at 8:00 PM. Tickets are $15 for general admission, $10 for seniors and students, and $3 for HPU students. This performance will feature a Medieval stage setting. For more information, please contact Lisa Gomes at 235-3933 or e-mail at vernlisa@hawaii.rr.com

Wolgemut Factoids:
Wolgemut is an ancient Germanic word which means “to be in a good mood.” The band’s artistic director came across the name while looking for illustrations of old instruments. One of the drawings was done by “M. Wolgemut,” a 15th century artist. The name stuck! Historic world music” is the phrase used by Wolgemut’s artistic director, Michael Gartner, to describe the Wolgemut sound.Band members Erik Ask-Upmark and Anna Rynefors, recognized experts in Swedish folk music, have both been awarded the prestigious national title of “Riksspilman” (Master Musician of Sweden).

For interviews with band members, contact Lisa Gomes at 235-3933 or 783-5770. Band leader Michael Gartner will be available from January 3, entire band will be available after January 18, 2007.

High-resolution press photos of Wolgemut are available for publication at
www.bluegrasshawaii.com/wolgemut.html