Remembering Ian Capps

The Hawai’i Chapter of the American Choral Directors Association shares in the profound sadness at the loss of Ian Capps, former president of Early Music Hawaii. As president, Ian spearheaded the development and growth of EMH on O‘ahu, into the premier organization for the presentation of Renaissance and Baroque music on the island. Ian was the creator and host of The Early Muse, a weekly program of Hawai‘i Public Radio, which has been on air continuously since December 2004. The program explores the development of Western Music over the 500 years from the 12th through the 17th centuries. 

A native Londoner, Ian graduated from Oxford University and worked as an editor and executive for Reuters and other global news organizations, living and working in many different countries over nearly 40 years. He retired in 2001 after 9 years as President and CEO of the New York-based global news distributor PR Newswire. 

He and his wife Jeannette, a native of Hawai’i and UH graduate, met while singing Renaissance music in New York. They relocated to Hawai‘i upon retirement.

“As an amateur singer, I have been lucky enough to work with outstanding groups in major cities around the world and with many individuals who have moved on to successful musical careers,” said Ian. “Early on in my travels, I discovered that music, as a universal language, is a great introduction to a new society. And that the voice is the easiest instrument to take with you wherever you go.”