Hawaii Chamber Music Festival’s online concerts combine music, food and charity

Take in some exquisite chamber music, enjoy some gourmet food, and support local children’s charities and young musicians with the Hawaii Chamber Music Festival’s online concerts.

The festival, organized by bassist Chris Yick of the Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra, will stream three concerts in mid-June — a “Songs of Healing” concert on June 15 featuring internationally renowned young clarinetist Yoonah Kim; a June 18 concert featuring University of Hawaii at Manoa piano professor Tommy Yee; and a “Happy Belated Beethoven” concert on June 19 starring acclaimed violinist Stefan Jackiw making his Hawaii debut.

To spice up the music on-screen, gourmet food will be offered for delivery or pickup for two of the concerts. For the June 15 concert, Chef Chai Chaowasaree will prepare a surf-and-turf meal for two. For the June 18 concert, large or small charcuterie boards will be offered by caterer Wild and Whim Hawaii. Food is limited, so order early.

The concerts will serve as virtual benefits for three charities that serve children and their families, including the Hawaii Children’s Cancer Foundation. “COVID was the Achilles’ heel for a lot of fundraising events, and this replaces that,” said Yick, an ‘Iolani School graduate.

Yick’s festival is also sponsoring lessons for 20 selected young string musicians, who will study tuition-free with Jackiw and other local professionals. Students will also get to make a professional-­quality video, suitable for auditions and college applications. “It gives the kids a chance to be part of a mini music video shoot,” Yick said.

Cost is $25 per concert, with food ranging from $85 to $250. Visit linktr.ee/hawaiicmf for tickets and details.