The Ko'olauloa Children's Chorus (KCC) , a community children’s chorus comprised of elementary, middle school and high school students from Kaawa all the way to Haleiwa, will begin its seventh season 5 September 2007.
The choir program, offered through the BYU-Hawaii Center for Instructional Technology and Outreach (CITO), has two groups: the younger Jubilate Choir, ages 6 thru 9, and the older Concert Choir, ages 10 thru 16. New members are currently being sought for both groups during fall semester registration which begins 1 August 2007. (watch video clip )
The chorus has participated in the Pacific Rim Children's Chorus Festival twice, once in 2002 and again in 2003. (See Festival story) The choir has also participated in the E Mele Kakou Music Festival hosted each year by the Hawaii Opera Youth Chorus in Honolulu.
During the summer of 2006, KCC toured to England, performing in London and Canterbury at the International Children's Choir Festival, working with internationally renown directors Henry Leck and David Flood.
Future plans for choir performances include participating in the Hawaii Children's Choir Festival held in Honolulu the summer of 2008. The festival will feature guest conductor Rebecca Rottsolk, with the choirs performing in the Hawaii Theater in Honolulu.
In 2009, KCC plans a tour to New York City where they have been invited to participate in the Children's Choir Festival at Carnegie Hall.
Past and present members of the KCC said that the experience is well worth the hard work and effort required.
Brialan Howells, who has been in the choir for the past two years, recently moved to Texas where she will attend a fine arts academy. “I know I couldn’t have gotten into the academy without the experience I’ve had in the past two years with the KCC,” said Howells.
Kelsee Wagner, 13, and Jasmine Lopez, 12, joined the choir when it began in 2001; Kaitlyn Fife, joined a year later in 2002. All of them agreed that being in the choir has been a great experience because they all love to sing. They also agreed that the trip to England to participate in the International Children's Choir Festival was a highlight of their choir experience so far. (watch video clip )
Founder and director, Esther Macy leads the Concert Choir. Linda Allen is the associate director of the Jubilate Choir. While in the military, both as a dependent and active duty member, Macy traveled to various places and taught music to children and adults for over 20 years. Macy returned home to her hometown of Laie in 2000. The Ko'olauloa Children's Chorus has become her gift to the community she grew up in.
All KCC staff members volunteer their time and talents to develop the performing arts in children through choral music. All minimal fees collected go back into the group for uniforms, music and all other needs.
The choir does not audition students but participants must be able to sing on pitch and work in a fun but disciplined environment with KCC rules and regulations. Along with singing, the choir members learn basic theory and music training. They are also encouraged to learn an instrument.
For more information, please call the CITO department @293-3780 or Esther Macy @293-1796 (after 5pm).
