Sing-Song, Sing-Along! Celebrating 25 Years with the Kona Choral Society
By Fern Gavelek
With one thing in common—the love to sing—Kona Choral Society’s 70-some members rehearse weekly to perform concerts for the enjoyment of the community.
This year, KCS is marking its 25th year with a new name, additional performances, and a tuition waiver for youth members. Formerly known as the Kona Music Society and the Kona Community Chorus, the organization was recently rebranded to become the Kona Choral Society.
“The former name of Kona Music Society didn’t represent who we really are,” explains Julia Lester, KCS board president. “We are specific to a chorus,” she adds.
With a mission to bring choral music to the community, KCS attracts people from all walks of life, hailing from Ocean View to Waimea. Whether an octogenarian or pint-sized third grader, KCS offers all an opportunity to join together in song in either its adult or youth choirs.
“The music and total leadership of artistic director Susan Duprey is really what makes it such an exciting experience,” notes Julia. “And the chorus is a wonderful group of people.”
Julia, a KCS second soprano who grew up on the East Coast, has been singing since a child. The Kailua-Kona resident says Susan is “welcoming to any member of the community who wants to sing,” and also makes being a member a rewarding, special experience.
Conducting the Chorus
“A couple of years ago, we sang the Brahms’ Requiem in German, and it was one of the most moving performances of that work that I’ve ever been a part of,” Julia recalls.
In its two decades, KCS has had its share of other memorable performances, including the master works of Mozart’s Requiem, Lauridsen’s Lux Aeterna, and the annual Christmas performance of Handel’s Messiah.
KCS performs many musical genres: traditional Hawaiian, African, Asian, Latin American, American Folk, and Gospel.
What they perform is based on a variety of factors, explains Susan, who travels from O‘ahu to Kailua-Kona to lead the chorus. She must ask herself several questions before deciding on a title: are there enough sopranos, altos, tenors, and basses to perform the work? Is the work too difficult or too easy? She wants to challenge singers, not frustrate them.
She must also determine if KCS can afford to do the piece.
For works that require a full orchestra or guest musicians, up to 40 additional instrumentalists must be rallied.
“I typically alternate a more expensive work with another so we don’t go broke, like a title requiring 26 musicians one year and 13 the next,” the artistic director explains. Susan also says another consideration is having a venue large enough to hold all the performers. “It’s the art of finding the balance of all these factors.”
KCS is a tightly run ship with an annual operating budget of about $95,000, according to Julia.
“We always welcome more input and volunteers,” shares Julia, who heads a 13-member board of directors made up of chorus members and volunteer community members. In addition to a BOD, a volunteer advisory council governs KCS. Other volunteers help with fundraising, grant writing, marketing, and audio needs.
Formed in 1990 as the Kona Community Chorus by Ken Staton, former Chair of the Performing Arts Department at University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, the chorus attracted nearly 50 participants for the first rehearsal at Central Kona Union Church. The group operated as an all-volunteer organization for its first several years and met its budget largely through car washes, according to Ken.
Today, KCS hires the leadership and musical talents of artistic and youth directors, a rehearsal accompanist, plus performance musicians, which are the principal players of the Kamuela Philharmonic Orchestra.
In addition to financial support through grants, private donations, and sponsorships, KCS has fundraising activities like silent auctions and special musical events. They also charge chorus members tuition.
Performance ticket sales cover approximately 30 percent of concert costs. Tickets are $20 for adults and $5 for students and KCS also offers annual concerts free of charge at county-run facilities like Hale Halawai and the Old Kona Airport State Recreation Area Pavilion.
On the Playlist
“Our free holiday music concerts are very popular—people bring their entire family, and this year we are adding a second date,” details Julia. “Seating is provided at Old Airport and we serve juice and cookies; it’s our gift to the community.” Dates for 2014 are December 20 and 21.
Also this holiday season, in commemoration of its silver anniversary, KCS’s annual Messiah concert on Dec. 7 will include a performance of Franz Schubert’s Mass No. 2 in G major. The composition, more commonly referred to as “Schubert’s Mass in G,” will commemorate what was done during the choir’s first Christmas performance.
“Unlike Handel’s Messiah, Schubert’s work is not well known, but it’s delightful and refreshing,” shares Susan, adding “It requires an orchestra, features several solos, and I’m excited we’re doing it.”
Susan details that Schubert’s Mass in G was last performed in 1990 and only a portion of it was done at that time. She says the complete 25-minute work, which they will do this year, is, “tricky and a wonderful work for our singers to have under their belt.”
Susan McCreary Duprey, a Hawai‘i native who earned a Master of Music with distinction at Westminster Choir College of Rider University and also doubles as artistic director of O‘ahu’s Windward Choral Society—says performing music by master composers like Schubert, Mozart, and Brahms is important.
“They are enormous works that provide continued growth in the musicality of our members,” she says.
The definition of musicality refers to qualities in music such as being melodious and tuneful, plus tastefulness and accomplishment in music.
Adult choir members rehearse September through June from 6-8pm every Wednesday at the Kealakehe Intermediate School band room. Adult “dues” are $75 per semester and hardship scholarships are available.
Music for All
Heading the youth choir is Kealakehe Elementary educator Marinella Savarese, who is assisted by Kealakehe Intermediate veteran music teacher Gloria Juan. Gloria accompanies both the adult and youth choirs and has been with KCS for all 25 years.
Children in grades three through 12 comprise the KCS Youth Chorus and rehearse 4-5:30pm Thursdays starting in August.
“In celebration of our 25th, we’re waiving the annual $300 tuition for youth,” notes Julia. “Hopefully this will attract more children.”
Youth choir members learn more than the fundamentals of music. Marinella, who grew up in a musical family and has been singing since the age of 10, says keiki members experience a sense of belonging, “which is very important at a young age.”
Students learn to follow the conductor so they can sing as one voice. This develops their listening skills. They also learn how to read music and lyrics.
“Our goal is to plant a love for music and allow kids to go beyond the limits of our island,” says Marinella, who moved to Hawai‘i in 1994 from Italy where she practiced medicine. “We access different cultures and languages through rhythm and lyrics; we travel the world.”
Students “visit” Africa, Europe, and the British Isles when they sing the songs of those lands.
Youth participants hail from all of West Hawai‘i, and special needs children are also welcome if they can follow directions and have a sense of rhythm.
“Kids with special needs struggle with academics or behaviors, but they can have a creative mind and music can be a part of their well-being,” Marinella says.
The Beat Goes On
Susan emphasizes that her vision for KCS is to continue the membership’s growth in numbers and musicality so the chorus can continue on a path to performing a variety of music.
“We’re looking forward to a big spring production to finish our anniversary year,” she shares. “A well-known, popular choral work is planned, but I can’t say what—yet.”
Susan adds that her personal mission as artistic director is a simple one: to get people singing.
She says KCS has a wide range of participants, from professional singers who can sight read music, to first-timers who don’t know how to read a note.
“It’s thrilling to see a nervous alto with no experience, stick with it, and gain the confidence to sing solo at other venues!” Susan exclaims.
All it takes is the desire to sing. ❖
To participate or volunteer contact KCS: KonaChoralSociety.org, 808.334.9880
Photos courtesy of chorus volunteers
Contact writer Fern Gavelek: ferng@hawaii.rr.com
KCS Coming Events
Dec. 7, 4pm Messiah Concert/Schubert’s Mass in G
Dec. 20-21, 4pm Old Airport Concerts
Jan. 14, 2015 Spring Open House 5:30pm
Newcomers/Returning Singers
Kealakehe Intermediate School band room
May 17, 2015 25th Anniversary Celebration Concert
Details: KonaChoralSociety.org/events
Fern Gavelek
A native Hoosier, Fern moved to Hawai‘i in 1988. Ever since, she’s been writing about what makes Hawai‘i so special. She has extensively covered the state’s tourism, culinary, and agriculture industries and was named Hawaii County’s Small Business Administration Journalist of the Year. Also a public relations professional, Fern promotes a half-dozen Big Island events, several trade associations, and local businesses. The Holualoa resident is an avid community volunteer and was by tapped the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce 2009 Member of the Year. She enjoys gardening, time with husband John and playing with their pup, Sweet Pea.
