The Kula Kai Band held their Christmas Concert for a festive audience last night at Keōpūolani Hale. Opening for the concert was the Chamber Band, an advanced select group, comprised of 12 students ranging from seniors to freshmen. To start the concert, the Chamber Band played Hawaiʻi Ponoʻī while the audience sang along to the anthem.
Next, the students had a surprise in store — they played Happy Birthday for Kumu Jess Eimen, who had thought they were going to play a different song.
After the surprise, they played mele such as You’re a Mean One Mr. Grinch, Sleigh Ride, and Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On an Open Fire).
Following was the Kai Quintet, a new ensemble constituted of senior Anela Awai-Stewart, sophmore Sienna Fukino, and freshmen Meleana Peterson, Meleannah Felicilda, and myself. With a jazzy take on Christmas, we students played Linus and Lucy: A Charlie Brown Christmas and Winter Wonderland in our solo debut.
Mistress of ceremonies Kahu Kanani Franco invited the audience to sing with the quintet for the latter song, resulting in a wonderful performance that was not only fun to listen to, but also to be a part of.
Last, was the Kula Kai Concert Band, playing Blue Christmas, Christmas (Baby Please Come Home), Auld Lang Syne, and All I Want For Christmas. Several solos were featured in these songs, highlighting members of the Chamber Band with their exciting and beautifully played notes.
Not only was this concert a Christmas celebration, but a reminiscence of the past semester–a short montage of the band’s trip to Hana to play in the Parade of Aloha was also shown.
Subsequently, the concert band played Hawaiʻi Loa, E Ola, and ʻŌiwi Ē, and closing the concert was the Concert Band’s signature hana hou pick: “Crazy Train.” It was the perfect way to end the night.
