the song we cannot hear

oboe, piano and fixed media

arr. soprano saxophone, piano and fixed media

Duration: 6'30''

Written as part of Oboe, Piano, Composition Studio Collaboration

Kiara Hosie (ob.) Qiuhan Wang (pno.)

Felix Zhang (sax.) Zabrina Ng (pno.)

Roy Barnett Hall, Mar 22/May 16, 2025

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The Kauai O'O was a species of bird native to Hawaii. It was a particularly vocal species, making short and quick, high pitched calls. The males and females were known to sing duets to each other, and often mated for life. In the late 80s, these birds were an endangered species due to predators, deforestation and natural disasters, so a team of scientists researched and recorded what remained of their population. They recorded the call of a male Kauai O'O, and after playing back a recording they had, the male flew down to the tape player and began calling to it. Thinking it was another bird.

 

On October 23rd, 2023, the Kauai O'O was declared extinct.