Music Scene
Christmas rocks for Boy Choir
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Editor
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| The Honolulu Boy Choir, which plans a series of holiday-season performances, will sing at Central Union Church Saturday night.
Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser Honolulu Boy Choir To join, call 596-7464 Or write P.O. Box 1383, Honolulu, HI 96807-1383 |
"I was part of the choir from third grade to seventh," said the Hawaiian-pop singer-entertainer, who was one of those smiley-faced, high-pitched boy singers in his youth.
"The camaraderie is what I remember most," said Na'auao. "It was the blending of the voices and listening to yourself, to learn your pitch and your voice control. Basically, it was all about the elements of singing."
Christmas brought out particular joy for most kids, he said, but his special treat was being selected as one of the youths who'd travel the world, to bring the flavors and faces of aloha to the rest of the world. "We went all over the place."
Na'auao quit the organization to venture into sports — football and basketball — which meant no time for choir practice.
That said, he applauds the discipline and musicianship exhibited by the choir during his tenure and by the current batch of singers.
Christmastime is when the Boy Choir does a multitude of public performances, mostly free. It's the best recruiting message for the organization, said new executive director Gary Saito.
"Between Nov. 22 and the end of the year, the boys do 18 concerts," said Saito. "And one of the best things, over the past few months, is how (choral director) Kala'i Stern, formerly of 'Ale'a, has helped the boys mature in voice, with great harmonies. The complexities of songs are much better, too."
The choir is open to high-pitched lads, ages 7 through 12. When a youngster's voice deepens, he has to exit the ranks.
Recruiting, said Saito, takes place twice a year — late January and August.
Na'auao said that while he had fun singing holiday tunes, his pet song is the choir's theme song.
"The one song I will always remember is the one that began with 'We are young men of Hawai'i,'" he said of the Keola Beamer composition titled "This Is My Island Home."
The tune periodically reappears in the repertoire, and, like "A Hawaiian Christmas" this time of the year, has been a Boy Choir signature for years. Like those happy smiles.
- Saturday, 7-9 p.m.: "Christmas Is Forever," at Central Union Church, 1660 S. Beretania St.; donations accepted
- Dec. 16, time to be announced: Brunch on the Beach, Waikiki
- Dec. 16, 6:30-8 p.m.: "The Christmas Gift," at Harris United Methodist Church, 20 S. Vineyard Blvd.; donations accepted
- Dec. 20, noon-12:45 p.m. — Christmas show, at Pacific Guardian Center (formerly Grosvenor Center)
- Dec. 21, 7-7:45 p.m.: Christmas concert, Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach
- Dec. 22, time to be announced: Christmas concert, Outrigger Reef Hotel
- Dec. 25, 8:30-9:30 p.m.: Christmas dinner concert, Monarch Room, The Royal Hawaiian hotel; dinner reservations required; 923-7311
