As it begins its 21st holiday season rehearsal period, Waimea Community Chorus is welcoming new singers to the upcountry choral ensemble. Founded in 1994 and performing twice annually, the group has grown from about 20 members at its start to 60 or more voices now.
The group presents a show each June and a holiday show in December.
This year’s holiday concert will feature a collage of inspirational selections, chosen from different musical genres. Included will be nods to classical music, such as Puccini’s “Magnificat in G”, as well as better-known traditional sacred carols such as “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”, “O Come All Ye Faithful” and “He is Born”. Contemporary favorites will round out the show, including “Do You Hear What I Hear”, “Some Children See Him” and a “Jingle Bell Medley”. The chorus will perform Dec. 13 and 14 at Kahilu Theatre accompanied by a 14-piece orchestra.
Chorus director Barbara Kopra, in discussing the planned show, emphasized the importance of recruiting new singers for the group, both to maintain vocal balance in the group’s composition, and to maintain the strong community flavor that has characterized Waimea Community Chorus since its inception. While auditions are not required, prospective members should plan on committing Tuesday evenings to rehearsals, which are held weekly at St. James Episcopal Church on Kawaihae Road. According to Kopra, the focus of the group on community inclusion and quality performance has enabled it to consistently provide concerts that are delightful for its audiences, and both fun and fulfilling for chorus members. Chorus members credit the high quality sound and success of the group to director Kopra’s encouraging style, which is the culmination of a lifetime career in both music and teaching.
Open registration for the group begins at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at St. James Church, with rehearsal following at 7 p.m. New members may continue to join the group at the Aug. 26 and Sept. 2 rehearsals.
More information about participation is available on the group’s Facebook page, at waimeacommunitytheatre.org/chorus or by calling the chorus at 885-5818.