On December 8, the Masters will perform on the deck of the Battleship USS Missouri, near the spot marked by a plaque where General Douglas MacArthur uttered the words that officially ended World War II, “These proceedings are closed.” The chorus will be able to look over the bow of the USS Missouri to the nearby USS Arizona Memorial, built over the sunken remains of the Battleship USS Arizona, destroyed by a massive explosion in the early moments of the attack. At some point during their stay, many will want to join the steady stream of visitors to the Memorial, step onto it and see the wall filled with inscriptions of the names of those whose lives ended so suddenly that day. Also interred at the Arizona are many of the crew who survived the attack and have requested interment with their shipmates at the Memorial. Visitors may be able to see the sheen on the nearby waters, caused by the tears of the Arizona that are oil droplets that continue to rise from below to this day.
Tuesday, December 6, preceding these ceremonies, the Masters will join with their barbershop sisters, Oregon Spirit from Salem, and the Na Leo Lani Chorus from Honolulu for an exchange concert that will present to an island audience the sounds of our unique brotherhood. On Friday, December 9, there are plans afoot to join our brothers from the Sounds of Aloha and the Sweet Adelines Honolulu Blend for a barbecue and party where we believe spontaneous singing will erupt in the shadow of the inactive volcano marked by the Diamond Head crater. Word has it that there may also be Hawaiian dancing.
On Saturday, December 10, there will be free time for sampling some of Oahu’s many visual and culinary delights, or even for brief visits to other Hawaiian islands, truly some of America’s most beautiful places. On Sunday, December 11, with memories to last a lifetime, the Masters family heads for home.
The Masters of Harmony are grateful beyond words to be invited to take part in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to use their love of music to honor the fallen, the remaining survivors, and all those who still serve to defend the freedoms we cherish. We are proud to represent our parent organization, the Barbershop Harmony Society, from which we draw inspiration and guidance as well as the City of Santa Fe Springs, our generous host city for most of our 30-year history. If you are in the islands this December, we hope you can witness our Pearl Harbor commemorative events and perhaps hear us in concert. We’d love to share our music and the Aloha spirit with you!