Ring in the New Year with music that celebrates our nation’s diversity — from folk and rock to opera, country to hip hop, Broadway to bluegrass and beyond. This special performance also reflects on what brings us together as Americans.

Experience this contemporary opera based on Shakespeare’s masterpiece directed by Neil Armfield and composed by Brett Dean. Starring Allan Clayton in the title role, mezzo-soprano Sarah Connolly as Gertrude, and baritone Rod Gilfry as Claudius.

In 1980, after thousands of dollars and long nights in the recording studio, local funk/soul musician Mike Lundy released an LP titled "The Rhythm of Life." But with no money left to promote and distribute the album, it went nowhere, and sat in boxes for decades until 2013, when he got a phone call that changed everything.

Ikaakamai performs his song "Scholarship."

Ikaakamai performs his song "He Noho Papa."

Aunty Genoa Keawe and granddaughter Pōmaikaʻi perform a medley of song "Mauna Loa" and her signature song "Alika" on a 2001 episode of Nā Mele.

George Helm performs the song "Kalamaʻula" at the Liliuʻokalani Trust Center in Kalamaʻula, Molokai for the Golden Anniversary of Molokai Homesteading in 1972. Featuring Barney Isaacs, Jr. on steel guitar, Benny Kalama on guitar, and Jimmy Kaopuiki on bass. From the program "Pau Hana Years: Golden Anniversary of Molokai Homesteading: 50 Years of Hawaiian Homelands on Molokai"

Paige Okamura, a.k.a. DJ Mermaid of Hawaiʻi Public Radio, talks about the role Hawaiian music plays in preserving and perpetuating history and language.

Oliver Seguin of Hawaiʻi record shop and label Aloha Got Soul explains how he and owner Roger Bong are working to preserve rare local music from the past while promoting Hawaiʻi's artists of the future.

Repeat the Sounding Joy: The vocal and instrumental musical ensembles of Concordia University Irvine and friends invite you to join us for a festive collection of music that repeats the sounding joy heard at the first Christmas. Merry Christmas!