Sixteen weeks of practice are in the books. The stage is set. And if last week’s rehearsals are any indication, these musical performances are not to be missed. Kauai Voices, the island’s auditioned 40-voice choral ensemble, presents “A World in
Sixteen weeks of practice are in the books. The stage is set. And if last week’s rehearsals are any indication, these musical performances are not to be missed.
Kauai Voices, the island’s auditioned 40-voice choral ensemble, presents “A World in Harmony” concert tonight and Saturday at St. Michael and All Angels Church in Lihue.
“It’s going to be music from all over the world,” said Artistic Director Randall Leonard. “It’s about the fact that music is a universal language of mankind.”
Style or understanding the lyrics are not important, according to Leonard.
“Whether it’s Korean, Slovak, Hawaiian, Swahili, Celtic, Jamaican, Hispanic, Hebrew or American music and language, we connect with the sounds and spirit of the songs,” he said.
The concerts will feature 12 specialty instrumentalists of varied cultures who will join with the singers of Kauai Voices for an authentic sound and experience as they perform songs of hope, peace, pride, welcome and joy from around the globe.
Each performance will consist of 28 individual pieces of music from 15 countries.
“We’re just really pulling out all the stops,” said Leonard, adding there will be didgeridoos, shakuhachi flutes, bagpipes and even a harmonium.
The program is presented and created by Leonard, a choral director and soloist with 35 years of experience, with Alan Van Zee as accompanist.
While there will be music from around the world, a large portion will be of African origin in honor of the late Nelson Mandela, who Leonard says “championed world unity, humanity and hope.”
Founded in 2011, Kauai Voices has a community-based mission of enhancing appreciation of choral music within the community. To date, Kauai Voices has performed regular concerts as well as provided musical outreach to schools and organizations to advocate the benefits of choral singing, which builds discipline and cognitive abilities, encourages camaraderie, promotes confidence, improves memory and listening, and enhances social skills.
Leonard said he and his ensemble are at the “sprint to the finish” and everything is coming together.
When asked if he was tired after 16 weeks of rehearsals, Leonard said he was.
“But delightfully so,” he said. “It’s one of those labors of love where you just keep going no matter how tired you are.”
And he is confident the hard work will pay off this weekend.
Performances tonight and Saturday begin at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door and $10 for students and are available at Jim Saylor Jewelers in Kapaa, St. Michael’s Church, Kalaheo Café & Coffee Co., The Wine Shop in Koloa and Waimea Plantation Cottages or from any member of Kauai Voices.
For more information contact margeejf@yahoo.com.
