There is another reason to celebrate this holiday season — the return of the Kona Choral Society’s annual Holiday Concert Series.
After a two-year hiatus, the community chorus will ring in the season of song with their revered and dearly beloved traditional live choral performances. Over two weekends in December, the 90-member choral ensemble will come back to the stage to share a full festive repertoire that spans from traditional to contemporary holiday favorites.
The first of the two-part concert series will be the interactive “Joy to the World” Community Concert from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 2 at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Kailua-Kona on Alii Drive. The second part of the seasonal musical spectacular will be the highly anticipated G.F. Handel’s Messiah plus Vivaldi’s Gloria! KCS will offer two performances of this concert, both Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 17 and 18 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at a new venue, Grace Kona Community Church in Kailua-Kona at 74-4889 Palani Road.
All shows are free and gifts to the community.
The popular holiday “Joy to the World” Concert will feature the full KCS ensemble with an eclectic mix of global music, Hawaiian composers, and traditional carols. Accompanied by percussionist Sharon Cannon and collaborative pianist Gloria Juan, the concert will also feature the musical instrumentation of the Kona Brass Quintet. Among the featured works will be an African piece, “Bonse Aba” from Zambia, with a moving processional; composer Eric Whitacre’s “Sing Gently,” a poignant and timely piece written during the pandemic; and a quick-tempoed number from Brazil. Additionally, there will be a Judeo-Spanish, or ladino song to celebrate Hanukkah, featuring the guitar and percussion; a work from a new and upcoming young Hawaiian composer; and highlights of Vivaldi’s Gloria and the “Hallelujah Chorus” from Messiah – teasers of the upcoming mid-December concert. However, what makes the family concert so special will be the audience sing-a-long portion of traditional Christmas carols to round out the show.
“This has been a long time coming,” KCS Artistic Director Susan McCreary Duprey said about the return of the Kona holiday custom that has been ringing in the season for over 20 years. “We’re so grateful and so glad for the opportunity to bring music back to the community.”
The second series, what KCS refers to as a “casual classic,” performance, is a departure from the contemporary feel of the first concert and a return to the famed and nostalgic music of traditional favorites. The “Handel’s Messiah plus Vivaldi’s Gloria!” Concert will feature the full KCS 90-member chorus and a 22-member orchestra. Local soloists will include Peg Kemp Henry, soprano, and Wendy Buzby, alto, for both performances. They will be joined by John Stover, tenor, and Dan Garrett, bass, for Messiah. The two performances will display the pedagogical depth and breadth of both chorus and orchestra through the performance of the baroque classics, Antonio Vivaldi’s Gloria, and Part 1 of G.F. Handel’s Messiah, which includes the famed “Hallelujah Chorus.”
“We’re back together and ready to shine,” Duprey said of the show that has been two years in waiting. “It feels so good to be able to bring people back together through song.” She continued, explaining that music builds and unifies a community on a deeper level, all cultures sing, and particularly through hardships, people gravitate towards song. “When human voices come together and sing next to each other something special happens and we now can appreciate that more than ever.”
The recognition and appreciation for this opportunity was acutely felt when back in December of 2019, due to COVID, KCS was unable to gather. However, the limitations on in-person singing didn’t impede the vocalists’ enthusiasm for their craft. Members moved their rehearsals online and offered Zoom concerts, performed their traditional Messiah to keep spirits alive, and continued to practice ear training. This past summer KCS recommenced full in-person rehearsals and nearly 100 vocalists returned with overwhelming energy and a heartfelt desire to sing.
“People missed singing, and most folks longed to be back singing in person,” said Duprey of her committed ensemble who has been fusing fun, hard work, and joy into their shared musicality. “The Kona community has also expressed interest and excitement to listen to live choral music again and we’re ready, and we’re so very appreciative and grateful for all the support over the years.”
Both concerts are free, but donations are greatly appreciated and highly encouraged. Both venues have open-air ventilation. For more information, go online to
www.KonaChoralSociety.com or email KonaChoralSociety@gmail.com.
