Donors step in to boost children's choir
By Eloise Aguiar
Advertiser Windward O'ahu Writer
A Windward children's singing group that has charmed audiences since it was formed a year and a half ago will get an opportunity to improve itself, thanks to contributions from an anonymous donor and the John A. Burns Foundation.
The Ko'olauloa Singing Kids, created to showcase the talents of youths from Hau'ula to Kahuku, was invited to participate in the Pacific Rim Children's Chorus Festival late last month, and had only a couple of weeks to reply with a down payment.
Ten children from the 70-voice choir were chosen to go. But most couldn't afford the $435 tuition, and it was too late to raise the $4,350 needed.
The festival, to take place this summer at Brigham Young University-Hawai'i, includes renowned choir conductor Henry Leck, the founder and executive director of the Indianapolis Children's Choir, who will train and lead participants in a final performance.
Donors stepped forward after reading an April 30 Advertiser article about the choir, said Esther Macy, choral director. That led Macy to decide that four more people could attend.
"When we spread (the donations) around, everyone will pay less than $100, which is really affordable for everybody," Macy said.
An anonymous donor and personal friend contributed $1,000, Macy said. An additional $120 was given by several other people, and the John A. Burns Foundation contributed $3,230.
Robert Oshiro, president of the Burns Foundation, which provides money primarily for educational requests, read about the choir and asked Richard Paglinawan, of the Queen Emma Foundation, to check into the group's fund-raising efforts, Paglinawan said. Oshiro is also chairman and chief executive officer of the Queen Emma Foundation.
"Based upon that article, he wanted us to check for him," Paglinawan said. "He decided to grant the remaining balance."
Like the anonymous donor, Oshiro did not want to comment about the donation, but Macy said she is grateful and wants to thank everyone who contributed.
"I was stressing, because the parents kept saying 'We can't afford it.' Now everyone is jubilant."
Reach Eloise Aguiar at eaguiar@honoluluadvertiser.com or 234-5266.
