Festival of choirs next week

By Zenaida Serrano Espanol
Advertiser staff writer

Numerous choirs from across the state will fill Kawaiaha'o Church with songs of praise and prayer from 7 p.m. next Saturday at the 24th annual O'ahu Church Choir Festival.

The free festival, sponsored by the Hawai'i Chapter of the American Choral Directors Association, will be conducted by Anton Armstrong, director of the St. Olaf Choir of Northfield, Minn.

Organizers hope "to provide excellent music with an excellent director and interpretation," said Dale Noble, co-chairman of the festival. Noble said of the ecumenical event that "almost every denomination will be represented by a choir."

About 125 choir members from 30 choirs will participate — including Central Union Church, First Chinese Church of Christ, Holy Nativity Church, Kilohana Methodist Church, Lihu'e Lutheran Church, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church and Waiokeola Congregational Church.

A free-will offering will be accepted. Choir members interested in singing at the festival must register by Wednesday; the fee is $30 per person, which includes a packet of music. For more information or to register to participate, call 734-4144.