S. Morris Wise admits he is nervous about directing his first Kauai Chorale show.
But he’s also confident.
“I’ve got a lot of tradition to uphold,” he said. “I’ve very excited about the concert. I think it’s going to be wonderful. It should be a lot of great music.”
The annual Kauai Chorale Holiday Concert is set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14 at Kauai War Memorial Convention Center. This special evening, ”Holidays on the Silver Screen,” will feature Christmas classics, favorite tunes from holiday movies and also music from popular films released around Christmas day.
Wise steps in for Lois Ricciardi, who retired after directing the group for nearly 30 years.
Ricciardi hasn’t totally gone away, though. She will return as a guest conductor next week, and has provided Wise with some help regarding promotion, musicians and other aspects of putting on the program.
“Lois has been terrific,” Wise said.
One major change is going from two shows to one.
In years past, a concert has been held at the St. Regis and another in Lihue, usually at the convention hall or Kauai Community College Performing Arts Center, which is undergoing renovations.
But the St. Regis is under new ownership, and another venue on the North Shore couldn’t be worked out, either.
“We decided to do one show at the convention hall and combine our efforts,” Wise said.
The family-friendly Kauai Chorale holiday concert promises to spread holiday cheer and delight audiences of all ages.
The 70-member chorale will perform some Christmas classics, such as “White Christmas,” “Happy Holiday,” and “Christmas Time is Here.”
The vocals will be joined by strings and percussion. Rose Alfiler is the accompanist.
Other songs will be from movies not necessarily about Christmas, but released around Christmas.
For instance, “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina” is from the movie “Evita,” which opened in limited release on Dec. 25, 1996.
The audience will get a taste of the holidays as seen on the big screen — a Hollywood theme, if you will.
“It’s all connected with cinema,” Wise said. “It’s going to be a really great show.” Other surprises are planned for an evening of music and Hollywood, Kauai-style.
“It’s not a completely traditional holiday program,” Wise said.
Those attending are encouraged to dress up for what is billed as a red carpet affair and a tribute to the silver screen.
Tickets may be purchased from any Kauai Chorale member and at many outlets, including: Kauai Music and Sound, Kapaa; Wrangler’s Steakhouse, Waimea; The Bookstore, Hanapepe; Kalaheo Cafe and Coffee Co.; Scotty’s Music, Lihue; Lappert’s ice Cream, Kukuiula and Princeville; Pono Market, Kapaa; and North Shore Pharmacy, Kilauea.
Student tickets are $6, Regular adult tickets in advance are $15 and will be $18 at the door.
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Bill Buley, editor-in-chief, can be reached at 245-0457 or bbuley@thegardenisland.com.
