From Laie to Carnegie Hall: Chamber Choir’s Journey Expands the Vision of BYU–Hawaii Music
In May 2025, BYU–Hawaii’s Ho‘olōkahi Chamber Choir traveled from the small town of Lā‘ie to one of the most prestigious concert stages in the world: Carnegie Hall in New York City. But the impact of that journey went far beyond the notes sung or the venue itself. For students of the BYUH Music Program, this experience expanded their understanding of what music can be—and who they can become through it.
At the heart of the performance was the world premiere of Worldwide Requiem, a nearly 30-minute, seven-movement choral work composed and guest-conducted by Dr. Erica Glenn, assistant professor of music and director of choral activities. Written in eight languages and dedicated to regions impacted by recent tragedies—Ukraine, Tonga, the Philippines, Palestine, Japan, Maui, and more—the piece gave voice to grief, unity, and hope.
Music That Meets the Moment
The choir’s preparation was rigorous and immersive. Students not only rehearsed challenging repertoire across multiple languages, but many also served as cultural contributors, translators, and storytellers—adding their lived experiences directly into the fabric of the piece. Dr. Glenn created an open and collaborative environment, inviting students to speak, translate, and process as part of the creative process.
“My family and I are survivors of Typhoon Haiyan in Tacloban City,” one student shared. “Singing Pie Jesu brought back vivid memories of that terrifying day… but through it all, I felt God’s mercy. He protected us.”
Through it all, I felt God’s mercy. He protected us.
Others expressed how the process allowed them to confront memories they had long buried:
“Sharing my story was the first time I ever processed what happened,” wrote a student who lived through the Tongan volcanic eruption. “The Requiem allowed me to express what I could not express before.”
These weren’t just songs. They were personal prayers and public testimony.
Embodying the BYUH Mission
Rather than traditional concert attire, choir members performed in formal wear representing their cultural heritage. When the movement honoring Lahaina began, Hawaiian student Moanahiwalani Walker stepped forward to offer hula and place leis in remembrance of those lost. The stage became a sacred space.
One student wrote afterward, “Being a Hawaiian Samoan Filipino, you helped me be proud of who I am. I never thought I’d study music… I never imagined I’d reach these musical heights.”
I never imagined I’d reach these musical heights.
Experiences like this underscore BYU–Hawaii’s mission to prepare students not just for careers, but for a life of meaningful influence across the Pacific and Asia. The choir’s presence at Carnegie Hall was a musical triumph—but even more, it was a demonstration of cultural stewardship, spiritual sensitivity, and global citizenship.
“Thank you for believing in my small voice,” another student wrote. “The singing I was once told would lead nowhere took me to Carnegie Hall. That’s something I’ll carry with me forever.”
A Visionary at the Helm
The scope and sensitivity of this project were possible because of Dr. Erica Glenn’s leadership. As both composer and conductor, she created a space where student voices—not just vocal, but experiential—shaped the art itself. Her work demonstrated that faculty at BYU–Hawaii are not only teachers, but catalysts: guiding students to deeper artistic, emotional, and spiritual places than they ever imagined.
One student put it simply:
This choir… is the most significant choir ever to be formed this generation.
Dr. Glenn’s ability to bring this vision to life, coordinating with international choirs, navigating multilingual repertoire, and honoring student vulnerability, marks a high point for the music program—and a model for what’s possible at BYU–Hawaii.
A Defining Moment
The choir’s time in New York was filled with rehearsals, sightseeing, cultural exchange, and connection. But the defining moment was Sunday night at Carnegie, when voices from Laie and beyond came together to offer a unified, heartfelt witness of shared humanity.
“I was overcome with emotion,” one singer said. “Tears of peace and joy welled up as we sang. It was an unforgettable experience.”
Tears of peace and joy welled up as we sang.
From the podium to the pews, from the rehearsal room to the streets of Manhattan, this tour became a transformative journey—not only for the students who lived it, but for the university they represented.
The world saw what BYU–Hawaii already knows: that in this small campus by the sea, students are being prepared to lead with faith, speak with compassion, and sing with power.
