KAPA‘A — The Kapa‘a Middle School Choir and ‘Ukulele Band returned to California for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, and wowed the judges with their performances to earn gold rankings during the WorldStrides Music Festival in Anaheim during the spring break.
“This year, 30 students and 25 chaperones attended the festival,” said Mary Lardizabal, the group’s director. “Our students represented Kapa‘a Middle School with a variety of songs sharing our culture and island style. The judges were very touched by the delivery of their performances and ranked our students with high scores.”
Both performing groups — the ‘Ukulele Band and the Choir — earned gold rankings for their respective performances.
“The week was filled with visits to Universal Studios, Disneyland and California Adventure Parks, Knott’s Berry Farm, and the Medieval Dinner Show,” Lardizabal said. “It was the first time traveling for a handful of students.”
Lardizabal is thankful for co-director Loke Sasil for sharing her gift and talent with the students. She is also appreciative of the sponsorships and community support.
“We work so hard performing throughout the community, and trying to raise funds to provide this opportunity for the students,” Lardizabal said.
During 2019, Lardizabal had plans to travel with 114 people to California when the state school superintendent shut down all travel for the Department of Education. Following a rest for a few years, Lardizabal took a group of the school’s choir and ‘ukulele group to Honolulu in 2022 to resume participation in the WorldStrides Music Festival.
“A big mahalo to the incredible chaperones who embraced this adventure and took excellent care of our keiki,” Lardizabal said. “Other family members joined us, and the Hawaiian Civics Club from Anaheim made sure our luggage was taken care of upon arrival. They fed our kids Spam musubi. Mr. Bill Arakaki from the Board of Education was in California celebrating his grandson’s birthday but took time to support our students for the competition.”
Armed with the pair of gold rankings, Lardizabal and the Kapa‘a Middle School Choir and ‘Ukulele Band return to a busy schedule of performances, including the Kaua‘i Parent and Child Fair on Saturday when they are scheduled to be on stage from noon before zooming over to the Downtown Lihu‘e Night Market where they open the night’s festivities from 5:15 p.m. on Kress Street.
On Sunday, the group is scheduled to participate in the first Kaua‘i ‘Ukulele Festival starting at 12:45 p.m.
The Kapa‘a Middle School Choir and ‘Ukulele Band wrap up their school year on May 15 with a free concert at the school’s Covered Court starting at 6 p.m. There will be craft vendors available for people to support local small businesses while enjoying the gold ranking sounds.
The Kapa‘a Middle School Choir and ‘Ukulele Band is supported by the KMS Choir Boosters Club, a nonprofit organization.
For information, email kmschoir123@gmail.com.
