Kaua‘i Chorale’s Spring Concert — Music is Forever

Kaua‘i Chorale

Before we are even born, we are surrounded by the music of our mother’s heartbeat, the sound and rhythm of her breath, the tempos of her strides and the rich vibration of voices. There’s also a rhythm of sun and moon, time and tides.

We are always surrounded by music! The Kaua‘i Chorale Spring Concert celebrates the eternity of music by performing songs that reflect the music of life in its many expressions.

They commence with “Let there be Music!” by Linda Spevacek that celebrates music itself with various rhythms, tones, melodies and mixtures of voices. They celebrate the music of nature with songs entitled “The Ground,” “The Ocean,” “I Believe in Springtime” with St. Theresa’s chorus, and the Hawaiian “Ka Wailele O Akaka” revering Akaka Falls on the Big Island.

Poetry, a cousin of song, is honored with “A Jubilant Song” based on Walt Whitman’s “A Song of Joys.” It’s also a virtuoso piano piece for our accompanist Virginia Shepherd. “Sway” is a Latin American dance song guaranteed to raise your body temperature.

They’ll be singing the foot stomping gospel song “Joyful Joyful” from the movie “Sister Act,” and the immortal “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” first sung in 1939 by Judy Garland in “The Wizard of Oz,” and then re-recorded 54 years later by Israel Kamakawiwo‘ole

The sacred music includes an African Kyrie section a mass, “The Lord is My Shepherd,” and while “Bridge Over Troubled Water” is a comforting oath of unconditional love from a person to another, I have always felt that it mirrors The Comforter’s love for us.

The chorale also sings a plea: “Don’t let the Music Stop.” Lawrence Cole, songwriter and philosopher lectures that it is important for children “to hear their people sing.” Babies that are sung to, sing to themselves, even to sleep sometimes, feeling the love that was shared in the initial singing. Remembering and singing a person’s favorite songs after they have passed away helps to keep their memories alive for us.

So if you’d like a major musical fix, come celebrate music with the Kaua‘i Chorale. People have smilingly referred to it as Kaua‘i’s Mormon Tabernacle Choir. The 79-member choir will be joined by instrumentalists Marty Leonard, Joan Yamaguchi, Taylor, Daniel and Katherine Welch, Jane Albrecht and Mike Odo.

They will be performing Saturday, May 14 at Kaua‘i Community College Performing Arts Center at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, May 15 at the St. Regis Hotel in Princeville at 5:00 p.m. Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 at the door. Students pay $5.

Visit kauaichorale.com for ticket outlets or call 822-5633 or 337-1882 for more information.