ROYAL HAWAIIAN BAND TO HOST

CHILDREN’S CHORAL FESTIVAL

            Mayor Mufi Hannemann today announced that the Royal Hawaiian Band will host its first-ever Children’s Choral Festival at the Pearl City Cultural Center on March 1 and 2. The event will feature 11 children’s choirs from Oahu’s public elementary, middle and high schools; the Hawaii Youth Opera Chorus led by Nola Nahulu; and the Kamehameha Schools Children’s Chorus.

            “As a strong proponent of the arts, I am pleased that the Royal Hawaiian Band is reaching out to our youth,” said Hannemann. “The festival will give these school choirs a rare opportunity to perform in a formal concert with the county’s outstanding musicians.”

            “Each of the participating choirs will perform two selections, with the Royal Hawaiian Band accompanying them on at least one of those selections,” said Michael Nakasone, bandmaster of the Royal Hawaiian Band. “Our mission is to promote and perpetuate the music of Hawaii, so all of the songs performed will fit the Hawaiian theme.”

Over 700 students are expected to perform at the event, which is free and open to the public.

The children’s choirs participating in the festival are:

Saturday, March 1, 6 p.m.

1.     Ka Waihona O Ka Na`auao Public Charter School

2.     Ewa Elementary School

3.     Na Kamali`i O `Iliahi from `Iliahi Elementary School

4.     `Ike Pride Singers from Mililani `Ike Elementary School

5.     Hawaii Youth Opera Chorus

6.     Kamehameha Schools Children’s Chorus

Sunday, March 2, 4 p.m.

1.     Manana Elementary School

2.     Washington Intermediate School

3.     Waiau Elementary School

4.     Waipahu High School Choir

5.     Hawaii Youth Chorus (Nu`uanu, Ma`ema`e and Momilani elementary schools)

Although the event is free, tickets will be required for admission and will be distributed to each participating choir to ensure that capacity in the auditorium is not exceeded. For those without tickets, an overflow viewing area will be available in the school cafeteria, offering additional seating and a live camera feed of the performances.

Parking for the event is available at the Pearl City Cultural Center, Pearl City High School, and along Waimano Home Road.

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