Kona Festivale Chorale presents its 27th annual “Celebration of Christmas In Music” at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21 in the Kamakahonu Ballroom at King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel.
The first half of the show is filled with fun and frivolity featuring a wide array of music unique to Christmas, both traditional and contemporary, and familiar to one and all. “Christmas Is the Best Time of the Year,” a Don and Lorie Marsh arrangement, underscores the need to “Let your worries go, and spread some cheer!” The music features members of the Kona Festivale Chorale and a trio of singers that includes Jo-Anna Boshard, Kalehua Meheula and Misty Mistler.
“Jingle Bells,” one of the best-known and commonly sung American Christmas songs, was first published under the title “One Horse Open Sleigh” in the autumn of 1857. This particular arrangement by David Foster, Patty Andrews (of the famed Andrew Sister’s of the 40s), and Victor Schoen, was originally produced for Michael Buble’s 2013 Christmas album. The song features Carson Wilcox, Jo-Anna Boshard, Kalehua Mehuela and Misty Mistler, this arrangement is straight out of the jazz swing era.
“Underneath the Tree,” featuring the Celebration Singers, is a song written by recording artist Kelly Clarkston with Greg Kurstin. It is a Christmas-themed song, first released in 2013, that sings of gratitude for companionship during the holidays, in which the beloved is referred to as the only present needed “underneath the tree.”
“The Christmas Song,” a Christmas classic written in 1944 by Bob Wells and singer Mel Torme, features members of the Kona Festivale Chorale and conjures sweet memories of chestnuts roasting, Jack Frost nipping, and Yuletide Carols by the fire. According to Torme, the song was written during a blistering hot summer. In an effort to “stay cool by thinking cool,” this celebrated Christmas song was born.
“Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas,” performed by Tia Amafala, Grace Bagay and friends, is a song that is just plain fun written by Mary Donnelly and George L. O. Strid. According to the lyrics, this is the song Santa and his reindeer and elves love to sing. And who can blame them – it’s irresistibly jolly.
“Christmas Star,” performed by Celebration, was written by film score composer John Williams for the 1992 motion picture “Home Alone.” The song employs a simple plaintive melody throughout, and like most of his melodies, it is memorable to the listener. The song is about a boy seeking a Christmas star that will guide him safely home.
“I Love the Winter Weather,” with words and music written by Tickler Freeman and Walter Brown, finds its origin in Irving Berlin’s 1937 song “I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm.” Performed by Kalehua Meheula and members of the Kona Festivale Chorale, the song was first introduced in the musical film “On the Avenue” and recorded by a long list of notables including Billie Holiday, Dean Martin and more recently appearing on Tony Bennett’s “Snowfall” Christmas album.
“Winter Sings Her Song,” by David Waggoner is an elegant, expressive and evocative bit of music. The poetry in the lyrics elicits icy images of winter and, if you listen carefully, the voice of winter appears halfway through the piece in this haunting melody. The song is performed by Misty Mistler with backup by the Celebration Singers.
“A la nanita nana” is a traditional Christmastime carol sung in honor of the baby Jesus, that has since become a lullaby in the Hispanic world. This particular arrangement is by Ruth Elaine Schram and is performed by the Celebration Singers.
“Candy Cane Lane” is a name given to a specific street in cities around the world which have their houses decorated with Christmas lights every year. Performed by members of the Kona Festivale Chorale, composer Jennifer Zuffinetti’s take on this theme opens up a fantasy world replete with a magical train that journeys to such a place suffused with all kinds of Christmas delights.
“The Coventry Carol,” performed by 11-year-old Grace Bagay, is an English Christmas carol dating from the 16th century. The carol was a part of a mystery play called the pageant of the Shearman and Tailors and depicts the Christmas story from chapter two in the Gospel of Matthew.
“Mary Sat A-Rockin“ is a Christmas spiritual written by Greg Gilpin. Beginning with an ostinato line, a counter line is added, then other parts with their own energetic, rhythmic patterns. With some divisi and an interesting key change, the Celebration Singers explore the full range of musical dynamics in “Mary Sat A-Rockin’.”
“Carol of the Bells” is a popular Christmas carol composed by Mykola Leontovych in 1904. The song, performed by members of the chorale, is based on a folk chant known in Ukrainian as “Shchedryk.” This version, arranged by Jay Rouse, is unique in its serendipitous employment of scat throughout.
“The Little Drummer Boy” (originally known as “Carol of the Drum”) written by Katherine Kenniscott Davis in 1941, is a popular standard at Christmas. First recorded in 1955 by the Trapp Family Singers, the song relates how a young boy was summoned by the Magi to the nativity where, without a gift for the infant Jesus, he played his drum. The song is performed by members of the Kona Festivale Chorale.
No Christmas concert event would be complete without a rendition of Irving Berlin’s immortal classic, “White Christmas.” Featuring Red Johnson, Roberta King and Carson Wilcox, the song will recall to memory the 1954 movie classic with Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney, Danny Kaye and Vera-Ellen.
The second half of Celebration of Christmas In Music will feature a Christmas carol sing-a-long followed by a presentation of “At His Coming,” written by John Lee. The great message of Christmas, rooted in the subject of redemption, began as a selfless act of love whose advent began in Bethlehem of Judea 2,000 years ago and would change the world. The musical features members of the Kona Festivale Chorale.
Event tickets are available by calling the Kona Festivale Chorale office at 331-1115. Reserved seating is $25 for adults, $10 for children; open seating is $20 for adults, children 12 and under free.
For more information, visit kfchoral@hawaii.rr.com.