Overview

The Matt Catingub Orchestra of Hawai‘i is a 40-piece ensemble entirely comprised of local musicians.  Serving to spotlight the huge amount of talent in Hawai‘i, the orchestra has added a new element to the island music scene through special performances, annual CD releases and statewide music festivals.  

Hawai‘i and the world were introduced to the Matt Catingub Orchestra of Hawai‘i at the inaugural Return to Romance Festival in March 2007.  Music lovers around the Islands, and across the globe, have been familiar with Matt Catingub for many years as the full-time conductor of the Honolulu Symphony Pops Orchestra.  Produced in partnership with Grammy Award winner Allen Sviridoff, the Return to Romance Festival brought together national entertainers with Island musicians and showcased the incredible talents of musicians, singers, and performers in Hawai‘i. The tradition continues in 2008 with the Hawai‘i Romance Festival, featuring more music, more performers, more national and international attention, more celebrities, and of course, more ROMANCE.

In addition, on the heels of its successful Return to Romance debut CD in 2006, the Matt Catingub Orchestra of Hawai‘i has just released Back to Romance, a rare all-male recording of Hawai‘i’s leading musical artists.