Beyond Borders

 


Kona Choral Society (KCS), under the direction of Artistic Director Susan McCreary Duprey, presents its spring concert on Sunday, May 15, at 4 p.m., at the Convention Center at Sheraton Keauhou Resort and Spa. With a 26-year tradition of providing excellent choral music to the Kona and Hawai‘i Island community, the 90-plus-voice chorus, along with vocal soloist and instrumental ensemble, carries the theme “Beyond Borders” to showcase a concert with an international and multicultural flavor. Included will be rousing gospel songs, touching Japanese melodies, an “Americana” medley and Bob Chilcott’s “A Little Jazz Mass,” the chorus’ most challenging piece, featuring solo vocalist Binti Bailey, percussionist Sharon Cannon, string bassist Delphina Dorrance, electric bassist Jason Stith and Gloria Juan on keyboard performing jazz accompaniment.

The concert theme, “Beyond Borders,” was created in part because, in June, members of KCS will join O‘ahu’s Windward Choral Society on a tour to Japan, where they will present this same repertoire to audiences in Kyoto and Tokyo.

“While there, we will collaborate and share the stage with three Japanese choruses,” said Duprey, “two in Kyoto and one in Tokyo. I’m excited for this international musical exchange.” Duprey expanded, “This season, Kona Choral Society has explored the ‘borders’ of our own musical experience. Singing gospel, jazz—needless to say, singing in Japanese—was new to most of our singers. It has been an exciting semester learning new repertoire and pushing our personal musical borders.”

The Sunday, May 15, concert in Kona begins at 4 p.m. Advance tickets may be purchased from chorus members, by phone or online. Tickets are also available at Kona Stories Bookstore and Kona Bay Books. Visit konachoralsociety.org or call 808-334-9880.

Anyone interested in joining the chorus may come to the open house and first rehearsal of the fall season on Wednesday, Sept 7, at 5:30 p.m. in the band room at Kealakehe Intermediate School.