What a Swell Party!

By Melissa Mojo
The music of the legendary Cole Porter comes alive when Kaua‘i Voices, the island’s highly popular auditioned choral ensemble, presents What a Swell Party! on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 27 and 28 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Jan. 29 at 3 p.m., at St. Michael’s Church in Lihu‘e.

“Cole Porter is a highly acclaimed American composer of remarkable music and clever lyrics who gifted us with more than 800 songs and two dozen musicals from which to choose,” said Randy Leonard, musical director of the 40-plus voice Kaua‘i Voices. “The concerts will be full of his well-known favorites, including Anything Goes, Too Darn Hot, You’re The Top, It’s De-Lovely, Begin the Beguine, Well, Did You Evah, Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye, Night and Day, Let’s Do It, You’d Be So Nice to Come Home To, and many, many more!”

Ranging from swing to Broadway and spiritual to jazz, the concert repertoire features poignant moments — from intimate love to sassy flirtation and playfulness.

“Porter’s music is so full of wry innuendo and intrigue — reflecting his love for luxury and the high society of the 1920s, 30s and 40s ,” said Leonard, a choral director and soloist with more than 35 years of experience. “Cole Porter lived a life full of gaiety, parties and racy living in New York, Paris, Venice and Santa Monica, all of which influenced his phenomenal melodies and clever lyrics, which have captivated millions of people over the last century.”

Kaua‘i Voices will be accompanied by classically trained Monica Chung on piano, with Paul Koulbanis on guitar, Trystan Caberto on bass and Marty Leonard on percussion, as well as other local musicians.

“We are excited to share Cole Porter’s music, which is so rich with the great style and energy of a truly memorable era,” Leonard said.

Founded in 2011, Kaua‘i Voices is a nonprofit organization, which presents two seasons a year with 20 to 40 auditioned singers each season. Men and women, from ages 8 to 80-plus, rehearse for 16 weeks and deliver a program of excellent choral music each season, to promote fine choral music in our community.

For more information on Kaua‘i Voices, and to buy tickets for What a Swell Party!: The Music of Cole Porter concerts, visit www.kauaivoices.org or call 800-838-3006.