What a whirlwind few weeks it’s been — more than a month has passed already of our Sing With Us for the Holidays (SWUFTH 😉) program! It’s been a joy getting to know our SWUFTH participants and blending with them in marvelous holiday harmony.
Enjoy some snapshots of Weeks 1-4 below, plus a snippet of an impromptu ensemble warming up the chorus with an old favorite.
It’s been a whirlwind, literally! at our rehearsals lately as we’ve incorporated a mad frolic of colorful streamers into our moves, along with ukulele singalongs, and a walk down musical memory lane as we celebrated the 49th anniversary of the chorus.
Our 50th is coming up next year!!
Enjoy these pics from our late August and early September rehearsals, plus a snippet of a gorgeous rendering of Aloha ‘Oe by an ensemble of our members.
This past week we celebrated our August birthday gals, worked hard on the songs for our next performance, and even made time for a little ukulele strumming. It was great seeing folks back from their summer holidays, as well as a guest, Sam, whose theatre and voice background showed as she leapt into our lead section with aplomb. Welcome, Sam, and welcome back members who have been away!
Yesterday’s rehearsal was a cocktail of pineapple and coconut-themed hijinks as we celebrated National Piña Colada Day. (Apparently there really is a day for everything.)
It so happens our fruity festive fun (light on the rum) came just a couple of days after the annual Lānaʻi Pineapple Festival, which began in 1993. The state of Hawaiʻi has lots of pineapple-related celebrations, but few events are as sweet as our weekly rehearsals. If you like singing in juicy four-part harmony, then come check us out! We rehearse weekly on Wednesdays from 6 to 9 PM. You can find location info and others details about Na Leo Lani HERE. Or come to our upcoming ASP (Amazing Summer Program) concert on Saturday, July 20, 2024 at 2 p.m. to hear what we learned in just a few short weeks over the summer! We hope to see you there!
After all the intensity and excitement of our Region 12 competition last month, what fun it was to decompress and enjoy each other’s company over a great meal. In addition to watching the webcast of the Region 12 performances, our spring celebration marked the installation of our 2024-25 Board of Directors and honored our Music Team and Director. Thank you so much, each and every one of you, for all you do in keeping Na Leo Lani running!
And thanks to Rosie for the fabulously fun and lighthearted headwear. Busy mice sound twice as nice when we squeak in harmony!
Our Amazing Summer Program is back for the second year in a row, and we couldn’t be more excited!
Whether you’re an experienced choral singer or a car-commute crooner, we invite you to join us for our easy breezy seven-week Summer Program. You will learn two songs in a cappella barbershop arrangements, experience the fun of our weekly rehearsals, and take part in a summer performance for friends and family.
When? Weekly on Wednesday evenings 6-8:30 p.m., June 5 – July 17, concert on July 20
Where? We rehearse in the Mo’ili’ili Hongwanji Social Hall Annex, 902 University Avenue, Honolulu
How much? $35 (includes sheet music, learning tracks, and seven weeks of vocal instruction with the chorus). Please register HERE and remit payment via cash or check at first rehearsal.
For driving and parking directions, see: https://naleolani.org/join-us/
Register now at: NLL ASP 2024 form or simply come check us out on the first night of the program on June 5.
Questions? email naleolanichorus@gmail.com
This week’s rehearsal theme was “World Aquatic Animal Day” and, true to form, we ladies sang with the allure of Sirens and the harmonic trills of Ariel the mermaid. Mostly, though, we celebrated fish, whales, and other species of the sea as we continued working on our contest set for Reno and our upcoming Friends and Family concert this weekend. ‘Hope to see you all there!
This week’s rehearsal featured meowsical fun as we celebrated “Respect Your Cat Day” on March 28 — one of many cat-themed annual holidays of which most of us were heretofore unaware. (Did you know there’s also a national “Drink Wine With Your Cat Week” every February?)
“Respect Your Cat Day” is apparently based on an edict by King Richard II of England on March 28, 1384, in which he forbade his subjects from eating cats. No need to convince us to refrain from eating our feline friends! We dressed up as cats instead.
The evening was made extra special by a visit from a former NLL member who now sings with our sister Region 12 chorus High Desert Harmony. It was great singing with you again, Olivia!
We were thrilled to welcome seven guests, including new faces and old friends, at this week’s Membership Night. From the ribbon twirling warmups to a spirited round of tags, it was a nonstop evening of singing, laughter, and fun.
In an interlude between working on our contest songs and a hilarious round-robin game of Betty Boop (and Popeye and Wolf!) (see pic below), members shared how they came to Na Leo Lani and what they love about it.
Rosie spoke of how singing with the chorus had been a source of solace and uplift after her mother’s passing and a long stint volunteering at Hospice Hawaii. Summer, April, and others said they loved the sense of community they have found at NLL. JoAnne — hands down our most radiant and glamorous member — described how singing with Na Leo Lani has kept her young. She is now 88, and her daughter tells her she should never quit! And proving that we are never too old to expand our skill set and build our résumés, Ruth, now in her nineties, imparted how being a part of Na Leo Lani for so many years had put her in line for a leadership position at her assisted living facility, where she now heads the hymn-singing group.
Young or old, singing in harmony is our secret to feeling connected and finding joy!
Thanks so much, ladies, for making our January membership night a success. Let’s continue to grow!
Wednesday, January 24, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
See HERE for location info.
Singers of all experience, styles, and backgrounds welcome!
Na Leo Lani Chorus 