The Kona Choral Society invites audiences to experience the magic of connection at its popular annual free “Joy to the World” Community Concert.
The enchanting evening of harmony and holiday cheer will take place from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 6, at the Saint Michael the Archangel Catholic Church on Ali‘i Drive in Kailua-Kona.
KCS’s Artistic Director Susan McCreary Duprey and her 100-member chorus will usher in the season of song with a medley of music that spans from Christmas carols to Hawaiian chants. The annual concert has become a highly anticipated and popular December event within the community, most notably due to the intentionality behind the curation of the show’s musical repertoire.
“This is to appeal to a wide range of audiences with a little something for everyone, including interactive numbers and audience participation with sing-along carols,” said Duprey about the show’s line-up.
The “Joy to the World” concert will begin with a festive prelude as the chorus gathers on the stage risers singing the traditional carol “O Come All Ye Faithful,” encouraging the audience to join together in song.
The second number will be the Hawaiian chant, “Iesu Ka Ho‘ola,” composed by Randie Fong, followed by “Hope for Resolution,” arranged by Caldwell and Ivory. This piece juxtaposes a 4th-century plain Gregorian chant with a song from South African. The shifting between the chant and the Zulu freedom song creates a mystical sound celebrating the diversity of music. This arrangement will be highlighted by the instrumentation of flute and saxophone and with the accompaniment of the Kona Aloha Singers Youth Chorus.
Next, audiences will hear “Hope,” a moving number composed by Debra Scroggins written for the Holocaust Remembrance Day and tucked into the Hebrew melody. Audiences will hear the Emily Dickinson poem “‘Hope’ is the thing with feathers.”
Following will be the late Aaron Mahi’s “Nana No Au I Na Mauna,” sung in memory to honor the prolific well-known Hawaiian composer. Several Hawaiian songs, including “Aia ke Kanaka” and “Ekolu Mea Nui,” will come after and the evening will finish with “Pure in Heart” and an arrangement of seasonal songs, including “Candlelight Carol,” Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus,” and various traditional Christmas sing-along carols.
A special featured song will be Paul Ayres’ hilarious take on the overuse of the classical piece “Pachelbel’s Canon” in Christmas carols. The song is titled, “How many carols … Pachelbel Canon,” and Duprey shared that she’ll be asking the audience to “help count how many times pianist Gloria Juan plays the famous score as the chorus sings a mish-mash of carols.”
Additionally, Duprey is excited to share that her chorus will be joined by vocalists from Windward Choral Society and will feature percussionist Sharon Cannon and the Kona Brass Quintet. Duprey noted that she is especially excited about the special accompaniment of the Kona Aloha Singers Youth Chorus this season. The elementary-aged singers are a new youth chorus led by Erin Deskin and will add a familial and inclusive dynamic to the family-oriented show.
“This is a joyful show, a celebratory way to get in the mood, and get the holidays started,” said Duprey, before noting that the KCS will continue its monthlong holiday concert series with a second program, “Messiah &More Concert,” from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 22, at the Outrigger Kona Resort.
The “Joy to the World” Community Concert is free, but donations are greatly appreciated. More information about the concert and where to park is online at www.KonaChoralSociety.org.
There is free parking at the church, and next door, in the Farmers Market Lot, preregistered local residents get two hours free parking. To purchase tickets in advance for the “Messiah &More” concert on Dec. 22, go online to www.KonaChoralSociety.org.
Tickets are $35 general admission, $50 reserved, and free for 18 and under. For more information about either show, go online or email KonaChoralSociety@gmail.com.