There is magic and then there is magic like you’ve never seen or heard before. It was that latter type of magic that I experienced recently. Magic that was jaw-dropping, hand- clapping, feet-stomping, bodies jumping from their seats magic and I was one of the lucky ones in the audience of several hundred to experience this outstanding event.
There is magic and then there is magic like you’ve never seen or heard before. It was that latter type of magic that I experienced recently. Magic that was jaw-dropping, hand- clapping, feet-stomping, bodies jumping from their seats magic and I was one of the lucky ones in the audience of several hundred to experience this outstanding event.
It took place on two nights, Friday the 18th and Saturday the 19th of May, in the beautiful Grand Ballroom of the Kauai Beach Resort.
The “magicians” were Maestro Lois Ricciardi, director of the Kauai Chorale, and Maestro Sarah Tochiki, director of the KCC Instrumental Music Ensembles. The featured music, “Carmina Burana” by Carl Orff, was something I was not familiar with but found it to be extremely powerful and exciting. Something that nearly brought me to tears was watching the two directors who stood with a orchestra between them directing in tandem. It was as if they were one, as if they were joined. Both right arms and left arms moved identically with one another. It was absolutely a thing of beauty to watch.
Following the featured piece of music several other works were played and sung. “America the Beautiful,” a tribute to our Armed Forces was one; “You Raise Me Up” was another; and then the most magical music of the evening came blasting into the ballroom like a cannon shot from within the percussion section of the orchestra.
The sound of those drums almost lifted the audience up from their chairs. It came without any warning and made our nerves quiver and our hands shake. Just as quickly and unexpectedly the sound was soft and quite lovely.
This piece was Steven Reineke’s “Goddess of Fire,” a tribute to Pele. Several times the sound of the large base drums slammed us in the gut and reminded us who is in charge of the volcanic eruptions on the Big Island. Musically we heard the low rumbles of the lava boiling deeply underground as well as the lyric sounds of the ribbons of red lava winding through the area.
In our minds the music made us see the fountains of fire as it shot up into the air and we felt the earthquakes. It was as if we were there on that island of Hawaii. Pele was there in her home and she also was with us that night in the ballroom. For me nothing will ever be as magical as that night filled with the mystery and wonder of Pele. I am a believer.
For a tiny island out in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, isn’t it wonderful that we have these two amazing maestros who can bring us music equal to or better than anywhere in our great country? Many, many thanks to our retiring Magician Director Lois Ricciardi and the Kauai Chorale and to teacher and Magician Director Sarah Tochiki and the KCC Instrumental Music Ensembles.
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Gini Stoddard is a resident of Lihue.
Agree wholeheartedly! A wonderful evening and I have to agree the ode to Pele was fantastic, unforgettable. That kettle-drummer was something, so powerfully in charge and yet so stoic and peaceful in appearance. I’m proud of the KCC orchestra, too, the only junior college orchestra in the state.
Thanks, Lois, for your years of dedication. It has always impressed me that anyone could (and can) join the chorale, without auditioning. Now that makes the results even more impressive!
Aloha,
Wil