UH Hilo alumnus and gifted composer Michael Springer creates a suite for beloved Hawai‘i Island
Michael O. Springer’s Hawai’i Island Suite is a tribute to his Hawaiian heritage and the place that nurtured his life-long love of music.
A 1981 graduate of University of Hawai‘i at Hilo has had a notable life in music on Hawai‘i Island. It has been many years since Michael O. Springer graduated from UH Hilo with a degree in elementary education and a certificate in elementary and secondary music, which he followed with a certificate in education. He then went on to become an award-winning teacher, beloved composer, and a true gift to the arts on the island.
Hawai’i Island Suite
Hawai’i Island Suite, Springer’s renowned arrangement of Hole Waimea, Waikā, and Poliʻahu, is a tribute to the island that has been home to his Hawaiian heritage and the place that nurtured his life-long love of music. Springer spent 21 years as a music teacher in the Department of Education and nine years at Kamehameha Schools, Hawai‘i Island campus, where he founded the choral music program and shaped the performing arts program at the high school.
The three songs of Hawai‘i he gathered together form a musical haku carefully woven by Springer, who now is retired and living in his home town of Hilo.
The naissance of the piece took shape in 1995, when Springer was asked by his mentor, Maestro Ken Staton, for an SATB work (an arrangement for sopranos, altos, tenors, and basses) that could be sung by the Kona Community Chorus. Eventually the three songs of Hawai‘i Island were expanded to include orchestral accompaniment and interludes.
Over the years, the suite has been performed by UH Hilo ensembles: the UH Mānoa Hawaiian Choral Ensemble, the Kamalani Chorus of Nā Pua Noʻeau, and the Kamehameha Schools Hawaiʻi Campus and Alumni Choir.
But good music transcends geographical isolation and Hawai’i Island Suite has moved audiences elsewhere, namely Indiana and Oregon. A former Hawaiʻi County Band member arranged for the International Vocal Ensemble, from Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University, to perform the work.
This year, Kamehameha Schools Hawai‘i campus graduate Kalā Kaonohiokalaealohilohinei Muller, from Waimea, brought Springer’s work to his professor in Oregon, Michael Connolly, who expressed a deep interest in performing the opus. In a concert on Feb. 21, 2016, it was performed with piano accompaniment in an afternoon of music that included the University Singers, a 30-voice concert choir, a women’s chorale, and a jazz band. Springer was in attendance, listening to the work that has brought great delight to island audiences and others abroad.
Hole Waimea was a childhood favorite of Springer and it partnered beautifully with the lyrics to Waikā, by Johnny Spencer, which were based on the mele inoa, or name chant for Kamehameha I, about the winds and rain of Waimea.
Springer reflects, that “when I thought about Waimea, with all its unique environs, how could I not focus on the sacred beauty of Mauna Kea that presides over it? Remembering the white mantle that covers her brought me to include Poliʻahu by Frank Kawaiakapuokalani Hewett, as the final selection for the suite.”
And so the three island songs united to become a suite, utilizing the arrangement of Poliʻahu by the group Hoʻokena. Springer set the song in a four-part mixed voicing, “a transcription and rearrangement for choir…”
Springer continues his musing. “The overall effect that I hope this arrangement would achieve is spotlighting examples of the exquisite beauty of our island through three gorgeous mele that sing of its beauty. Adding the orchestration allowed me to augment this expression through the tonal palette and lush texture of a full orchestra accompaniment.”
Other works
While Springer is particularly fond of the Hawaiʻi Island Suite, other arrangements have challenged the musical scribe in him. Nā Kuahiwi ʻElima, written by Helen Desha Beamer, was prepared as a competition-level a cappella arrangement for the Hawaiian Civic Club’s 2010 annual convention choral competition.
Advenir, a three- movement choral work with orchestral and organ accompaniment, also was in response to another great idea from Staton, who was searching for an extended work featuring Advent hymn tunes. It was performed by the Kona Community Chorus and the combined choruses of UH Hilo and Kamehameha Schools.
We Sing Our Faith: Ma O Ke Mele, Paulele Mākou was composed for the closing festivities for the local observance by the East Hawaiʻi Vicariate of the Roman Catholic Church. Friend Maureen Saturnio thought it would be fitting to have a brand new ʻAha Mele anthem for all the participating choirs to sing to open the program, once again inspiring and motivating Springer to compose and arrange music.
“Retirement”
Springer now is enjoying a busy retirement, made rich by six grandchildren he shares with his wife Kim, a retired elementary school teacher and a percussionist, whom he met as an undergraduate at UH Hilo. Vuvu Springer proudly bears the Portuguese moniker for “grandfather” and plans on cataloging his work.
But music still is present daily, with his piano studio reopening in 2012, and serving as the accompanist for the Haili Church Choir, a role he has maintained since 1976.
Longevity marks many of Springer’s endeavors, having been the organist at the First United Protestant Church of Hilo since 1978, and Sunday Mass organist at St. Joseph’s Church since 2007. In his proverbial “free time,” Springer is busy as music arranger for the Hilo Honpa Hongwanji, assisting BJ Soriano who has been very busy composing gathas for her church.
Far from an adagio, Springer’s life is molto vivace and there’s sempre piu when it comes to living a full life of music… haʻina ʻia mai ana ka puana…
About the author of this story: Jacquelyn “Jackie” Pualani Johnson is a professor of drama and chair of the performing arts department at UH Hilo. She received her bachelor of arts in theatre and master of arts in theatre from University of Colorado at Boulder. Contact info.
