LIHU‘E — Christmas is right around the corner and the Kaua‘i Chorale is back in the practice room, rehearsing for its annual holiday concerts in mid-December. Now in its 49th year, and gearing up for its big 50th anniversary next
LIHU‘E — Christmas is right around the corner and the Kaua‘i Chorale is back in the practice room, rehearsing for its annual holiday concerts in mid-December.
Now in its 49th year, and gearing up for its big 50th anniversary next year, the Kaua‘i Chorale will perform “The Many Joys of Christmas” Dec. 15 at 7:30 p.m. at the Kaua‘i Community College Performing Arts Center and Dec. 16 at 5 p.m. at the St. Regis Princeville Resort.
The performances will include 16 familiar Christmas songs, including Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas,” “Snow,” “I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm” and “Count Your Blessings,” as well as “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” and “Ding Dong Merrily on High.”
The 80-member community chorus consists almost entirely of volunteers, young and old, beginners and life-time singers. The group started rehearsing in early-September and practices every Monday night for two hours.
“It’s a commitment,” said Mary Genegabuas, who started singing with the Kaua‘i Chorale in the late 1970s.
Emmanuella Marcil, 10, is the group’s youngest member and began singing at age 3. She says she used to take singing lessons but had to stop because it was too expensive. That’s when she found the Kaua‘i Chorale.
Marcil says she loves to sing and is a big fan of Christmas tunes.
“In the summer I was playing Christmas music,” she said.
Diana Portillo, a student at Kaua‘i High School, is also new to the chorus group.
“I was singing (while shopping) at Costco and Judy (Byce) saw me and said you should come check us out,” she said.
Byce, treasurer of the Kaua‘i Chorale, says the group’s members come from all walks of life and are simply “people who like to sing.”
Director Lois Ricciardi has served as chorale director on and off since the 1980s and has been highly involved in the Kaua‘i music community since the 1970s.
“She chooses all the music, and prepares herself by knowing it all,” Genegabuas said. “She’s a very hard worker. She’s one of those triple A personalities, but she makes it fun.”
Shirley and David Iha have been chorale members since the 1970s, with Shirley previously serving as director and president of the group.
“What I especially like is we get to meet with people from all over the island,” Shirley said. “What draws us all together is our love of music.”
Genegabuas agrees, saying the group is a lot like a big family.
“It’s just a real tight-knit group of people from all over the island,” she said. “When you sing you don’t worry about anything else. You’re just singing, your mind is relaxed. It’s a real spirit lifter.”
The Kaua‘i Chorale is a nonprofit organization, which raises money through ticket sales, advertisements, grants and by receiving donations. Auditions are not required and all age groups are encouraged to participate, although the group is not able to accept additional singers for the upcoming Christmas performances.
“Anyone is welcome to join,” Ricciardi said.
Ticket prices for the Dec. 15 and 16 holiday performances will be announced at a later date. For more information contact Mary Genegabuas at 821-1432.
