Tag Archive | Fun!

Get in the SING with Na Leo Lani’s Amazing Summer Program!

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 

In the swim of things!

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!

Nothing fishy about vocal fun!

In purrfect harmony

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!

Putting the “leo” in Na Leo Lani! Roaarrrrw!

An energetic evening of music and games

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!

Kinetic warmups with ribbon dancing
Our Membership Night guests!
Playing “Betty Boop” takes stamina and attention! 😅

Having a holly jolly rehearsal

With Christmas just around the corner and our holiday concert coming up in three weeks, we are ramping up our rehearsals with a lot of holly jolly energy! Enjoy this video clip of an impromptu ensemble at this week’s practice.

Like what you see? Come join the fun with us in concert on December 9 at Harris Methodist Church. See our concert announcement for details.

Halloween hijinks

Witches and devils and starfish, oh my! At this week’s rehearsal, we sang with gusto and showed off our Halloween spirit at the same time.

We also marked the third week of our Sing With Us for the Holidays program. If you have a special place in your heart (and lungs) for Christmas carols and other festive winter music, come join us! See HERE for more info about SWUFTH 2023.

Our fearless director in Halloween wizard regalia
Our wonderful SWUFTH 2023 participants
The chorus in Halloween hats, masks, and more
Our president, Deb New, rocks on the guitar
This quartet is purrrific!
Good thing the fire extinguisher is nearby, because the basses are on fire!

Arrrrrr, mateys!

With our “theme” rehearsals each week, you’ll never know what incarnation of your chorus mates will appear. This past week we had Captain Hook and a merry crew of shipmates “aaarrrrr”-ing enthusiastically.

Weekly themes are an activity our Music Team started during the pandemic to keep chorus members engaged and eager to see each other every week during the long, long months (nearly two years!) that we were rehearsing solely on Zoom. The themes proved so popular, we’ve kept up the practice ever since!

Although it’s definitely not necessary to come dressed up in the color or concept of the week, about a third of us usually do so, and some of our members really get into it (you know who you are, Yvonne and Rosie!), with humorous costumes and festive style.

Regardless of whether you’re adorned in pirate gear or just channeling your inner Jack Sparrow with a wink and a smile, the themes are a fun way to give shape to the evening’s activities, from our physical and vocal warmups to our customary photo op at the end of the night.

Enjoy the latest pic below, plus a video clip of four of our longtime members and former quartet-ers assembled for a pop-up quartet — “Sugarcane”!

Doing their best to look fiercesome! Don’t be afraid; these gals sing sweetly when they aren’t “aaaaarring” with gusto.
A circle up selfie!
The debut of the Sugarcanes in lyrical style

Singing and Laughing in Vivid Color

We had a special treat at this week’s rehearsal — a coaching session with Region 12 visual coach Pamela Johnson! In addition to waving colorful ribbons in time with the beat for warmups, we sported paréos and inflatables in rainbow colors in keeping with this week’s “beaches” theme.

Thank you for the fun and inspiring session, Pamela!

Celebrating the sun & surf with our “beaches” rehearsal.

A night out with barbershop!

The ladies of Na Leo Lani had a grand time on August 12 watching our brother chorus, Sounds of Aloha, perform in their annual show at the Hawai’i Theatre. This year’s theme was “Broadway Through The Years,” with special guest stars Shari Lynn, local chanteuse, and After Hours quartet. See photos from the event below.