BYU–Hawaii students showcased their talent last week in the BYU–Hawaii Salsa Orchestra concert. Students, teachers, faculty, senior missionaries, and friends gathered at the McKay auditorium on Feb. 2 to listen to the Orchestra directed by Darren Duerden. As usual, the concert featured Latin music that got the crowd moving to the music.
“The concert was great. Everyone was enjoying the music and you could tell the crowd was feeling the groove as well,” said Trinity Waddell, a junior biology-medical major from Texas. “These concerts are always fun because the music and groove is contagious.”
Besides showcasing their talent, the students were also preparing for their music tour that they will be going on Feb. 11.
The Salsa Orchestra has been going on tour for 20 years to other Hawaiian islands. This year, the Salsa Orchestra will be doing a four-day tour in Kauai, where they will be performing in local malls and for various LDS Stakes on the island.
The Orchestra played a number of classic Latin hits mixed with some more modern hits. Songs included: “Amor Prohibido,” “Late in the Evening,” “Sway,” “Flor Palida” and “Sera Que No Me Amas,” a Latin rendition of Michael Jackson’s “Blame it one the Boogie.”
“It was a great concert. The music was awesome,” said Dallin Olander, a sophomore business major from Washington. “I served my mission in Honduras, so I have heard Spanish music a lot and the band did not disappoint. The Latin rendition of the Michael Jackson song was my favorite.”
Throughout the songs, the crowd got to see several solos by various band members, most notable of which was by Suzanne Kinghorn. Playing the Brazilian song “Savannah Party,” Kinghorn soloed on the steel drums.This concert also marked the last Salsa Orchestra concert for a couple members of the band: Suzanne Kinghorn on the trumpet, Koko Ohira on the saxophone, Kevin Peterson on the trombone, and Jaden McCarrey with vocals.
All of these were senior band members who played in their last Salsa concert here at BYUH. “I have loved this opportunity to just jam out and have fun with the incredible musicians in the band,” said McCarrey, an international cultural studies major from Alaska.
McCarrey has been the male vocalist for the band, and said he has enjoyed singing for the Salsa Orchestra, especially what he says are his two favorite songs, “Late in the Evening” and “Sway.” “Tonight was way fun, the band was on point and it felt like the crowd was having a good time,” said McCarrey.