PRINCEVILLE — It was standing room only for those who wanted a dash of the holidays from around the world. The Kaua‘i Chorale, thanks to the leadership of Lois Ricciardi, hosted its annual Christmas Concert to a full house at
PRINCEVILLE — It was standing room only for those who wanted a dash of the holidays from around the world. The Kaua‘i Chorale, thanks to the leadership of Lois Ricciardi, hosted its annual Christmas Concert to a full house at the opulent St. Regis Princeville Resort.
Wes Cronk, president of the chorale for the past four years, (and also a tenor) said much work went into the production, which included a broad range of voices and ages, from 17- to 93-years-old.
“It is a compilation that includes so many voices-we have about 80 this Christmas season,” he said. “It’s quite a cross-section: Some are trained, some are not. But we welcome all people. They just need to be able to read music and sing.” Arguably an egregious understatement, the chorale did much more than “just” anything. Director Lois Ricciardi clarified tongue-in-cheek, noting those interested in joining need “love of singing and commitment to rehearsals Monday nights.”
Those familiar with the chorale (now in its 47th season) know they perform two concert series every year, one at the Kaua‘i Community College Performing Arts Center and one at the St. Regis Princeville Resort.
This year’s concert, entitled “Gloria, It’s Christmas,” included the work of English composer John Rutter’s most well-known compositions, according to Ricciardi.
Ricciardi, who got her start with the Kaua‘i Chorale in 1979 (she left the island for a while in 1984 but returned to the chorale in 1992) got her true start in music before her permanent memory began.
“As a little kid I was singing songs and playing piano in preschool,” she said. “I remember being told that.”
The talented conductor also teaches piano six days a week in addition to being the director of music and organist at Lihu’e United Church.
The chorale has been working on this performance since September, Ricciardi said, noting that in addition to performing Rutter’s “Gloria” with a brass ensemble and symphony, they branched out to perform some foreign Christmas carols along with the traditional songs we’ve come to know and love.
Ricciardi, who got her master’s in music at the University of Hawai’i, was sure to include a worldly range of music in this year’s concert, including a Filipino Christmas song and Christmas carols from Spain, Mexico and Puerto Rico.
The carols, sung in different dialects of Spanish, included: Oh, mi Belen (Oh, Bethlehem), Alegria (Joy) and El Desembre Congelat (On December’s Frozen Ground).
More traditional Christmas songs were also crowd pleasers, as (they have in previous years) the chorale sang “Hark, the Harold Angels sing,” “Joy to the World,” “Silent Night,” “O Come, All Ye Faithful,” and, of course, “Mele Kalikimaka.”
But perhaps most crowd-pleasing was “Boogie Woogie Santa,” sung by soloist Rami Donahoe, which got the audience clapping and singing along.
Next up for the chorale is its springtime concerts, though for now, it’s a bit of respite.
Call Lois Ricciardi to learn piano: (808) 822-5633
The Kaua‘i Chorale could use the support. Contact JoanneNakashima at (808) 635-0264
