The Music for Maui concert took place on Feb. 4 at Soka University’s Performing Arts Center. Many programs from different schools volunteered at this event with the hopes to raise money for Music for Maui, a student-run organization.
Music for Maui is a non-profit program that is located at Aliso Niguel High School, but is ultimately run by the students and advertised by the school. The group motives are to spread awareness of the damages in Maui and help contribute to their recovery.
To fund the program, many musical programs and other companies around Orange County come together to arrange a large concert event to support Music for Maui.
Some of the programs include the Aliso Niguel High School Ukulele club, Sea Country Community Senior Citizens, Ballroom Conservatory from Orange County School of the Arts, Classical Voice Conservatory, Solo Ensemble Band and Halau Hula Lani Ola.
The Halua Hula Lani Ola is a local hula dancing company that lends aid in the theme of Maui and Hawaii in general.
The Ukulele club performed classic songs such as “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” “Lean on Me” by Bill Withers, “Count on Me” by Bruno Mars, “We know the Way” from Disney’s “Moana,” “Measure Me,” “Sky” by Elaine Hagenberg, “Blue Hawaii,” Disney’s “Lava” and much more.
Ross Chun, who is the former Mayor of Aliso Viejo and is now a City Council member, participated in the concert. Chun had joined the Ukulele club during their performance and shocked the audience with his talents.
There was a great variety of performers at this event. The ukulele was not the only instrument that made an appearance that night, the guitar and bass were played as well.
A father with his kids at the event said, “The concert was spectacular, so many talented individuals out there and I am glad that my ticket goes to a good cause.”
Evan Brusky (11), one of the leaders of this event, said, “The concert was successful! We sold over 400 tickets. Overall, the event raised more that $15,000 towards Red Cross and Ohana Hope Village. That’s excluding ticket sales, since we are still doing the math, it will likely be close to $30,000 by the time we figure out everything.”
This concert made a huge impact on the Music for Maui program. The volunteers made the event happen, but larger industries are the ones who export the earnings.
Music for Maui has been very successful in their events and has been trying to spread word and gain popularity through social media.
Music for Maui at Aliso Niguel High School also hosts small pop-up events all over Orange County to raise more money. Large events like the concert take lots of time and preparations to organize so many small events play a large role in the organization.
The Music for Maui concert was a booming event and was of great help to the program who accomplished its goals.
