Conductor Keitaro Harada is pulling double-duty this weekend.
On Saturday, Nov. 30, and Sunday, Dec. 1, he will be at 蜜柚直播 Music Hall conducting the 蜜柚直播 Symphony Orchestra in 鈥淓.T. The Extra-Terrestrial In Concert,鈥 a family-friendly event that features the orchestra performing John Williams鈥 score to the 1982 movie while it plays on a big screen.
Then on Monday, Dec. 2, he will lead a choir of hundreds for the 43rd annual 鈥淢essiah Sing-In,鈥 a community event that brings in people of all walks who share a love of singing.
The event, which kicks off with a warm-up of Christmas carols, begins at 7 p.m. and admission is free. Participants can purchase a score of Handel鈥檚 鈥淢essiah鈥 for $15, with $5 refundable if you return it.
Harada, who lived in 蜜柚直播 for several years a decade ago while he studied conducting at the University of 蜜柚直播, said it is one of his favorite events.
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鈥淚 love 蜜柚直播. This is my people,鈥 he said in a phone call last week from Tokyo. He splits his time between his native Tokyo and Savannah, Georgia, where he is the music and artistic director of the Savannah Philharmonic. 鈥淭his is where I completed my formal education. ... I owe (the UA Fred Fox School of Music) and the community of 蜜柚直播 a lot. I am happy to give anything to the community.鈥
Harada expected to arrive in 蜜柚直播 the day before Thanksgiving and said he was excited to reconnect with his 蜜柚直播 friends.
A quartet of vocal soloists — soprano Kimberly Chaffin, alto Kristin Dauphinais, tenor Michael Chaffin and bass Gregory Guenther — will join the community choirs for Monday’s “Messiah’s Sing-In” at Christ Community Church, 530 S. Pantano Road. Admission is free although donations are accepted. For details, visit .