“Lift Up Your Hearts” is the title of Waimea Community Chorus’ 19th annual holiday choral concert, which will be presented Dec. 15 and 16 at Kahilu Theatre in Waimea. The concert will be a benefit for Kahilu Theatre as the latter continues its drive to re-establish itself in the cultural landscape of the community.
“Lift Up Your Hearts” is the title of Waimea Community Chorus’ 19th annual holiday choral concert, which will be presented Dec. 15 and 16 at Kahilu Theatre in Waimea. The concert will be a benefit for Kahilu Theatre as the latter continues its drive to re-establish itself in the cultural landscape of the community.
The concert, directed by Barbara Kopra, will feature a 60-voice ensemble. The holiday concert, the second of its two annual choral weekend presentations, will combine elements of the classical and of the best in modern seasonal music in an unusual balance.
Leading off the concert will be John Rutter’s “Magnificat,” a classical styled piece created by the master of modern choral music. Presented in its entire seven movements, the “Magnificat” captures both the solemnity and the beauty of the Christmas season, while retaining a liveliness that makes it appealing to music lovers of all persuasions. Several of the movements will feature local singer Amy Mills as soloist. The unexpected availability of Kahilu Theatre has presented an opportunity to increase the orchestra size and to showcase the work in a premiere theater setting. Joining Everett Knowles, the group’s principal accompanist on piano, will be Elizabeth Sekona and Meg Sibley on violin, Ramona Cannon on viola, Kathy Fraser on cello, Joe Barry on bass, David Tarnas on flute, Erika Curiskis on clarinet, Mary Kay Kiyon on oboe, Andrea Lindborg and Joshua Timmons on trumpet and Terry Warner on trombone.
The second half of the concert will feature both traditional and modern Christmas themes, as well as a selection of songs honoring the religious feast of Hanukkah. Kopra’s annual tradition of presenting a novel arrangement of “Jingle Bells” will continue in this concert.
Chorus members hail from around the island. They include bass and baritone singers Joshua Bowman, David Caudle, Steven Kaplan, Avi Okin, Benedict Purell, Karun Thanjavur, Eric Witt, Rick Baird, Paul Dahlquist, Dencan Dempster, Bryan Hilman, Jim Russell, John Sucke; altos Linda Evans, Vivian Green, Patricia Gunter, Melora Purell, Jeanne Teleia, Elodie Imonen, Beth McKeen, Patty Bigelow, Belinda Hodges and Kari Waldhaus; sopranos Maureen Bradley, LouAnn Bruck, Linda Cassidy, Beverly Cypriano, Dee Edmunds, Lynn Fragas, Marci Goldman-Manker, Diane Hammond, Polly Kaye, Amy Mills, Greer Sucke, Ann Bennett, Nancy Edmondson, Julia Fairchild, Jody Kobayashi, Barbara May, Catherine Mitchell, Jo Piltz, A.K. Shingle, Haunani Van Natta, Maureen Von Buskirk, Camelia Witt and Anuhea Young; and tenors Tilton Akeo, Miguel Bray, Thomas Bruck, Kia Fronda, Mel Yanos, Gil Villalobos and Jack Watson. Some choristers will sing in alternate parts depending on the requirements of the varying pieces.
“Lift Up Your Hearts” will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15 and at 3 p.m. Dec. 16. Tickets are $15 for adults, with discounts for seniors, students and children. An advance sale discount is also available when buying tickets from Without Boundaries or Waimea General Store in Waimea, or from Suite Possibilities in Kona. Tickets are also available from chorus members and at the door.
More information can be obtained by calling 938-3062, visiting Waimea Community Theatre and Chorus on Facebook, or visiting the group’s website at waimeacommunitytheatre.org.