Sounds of Aloha's blog

This is the week the Sounds of Aloha Chorus embarks for Modesto, California, to take part in the Far Western District Convention and Competition of the Barbershop Harmony Society, October 10-13, 2019. And what a special evening we had on our normal rehearsal night this past Thursday, October 3, when we performed our two-song competition package a couple of times for our families and some of our closest friends, fans, and supporters at the Ala Wai Golf Course Clubhouse ballroom! In barbershop we call this traditional pre-competition dress rehearsal "Friends & Family Night," and this was one to remember.

The Sounds of Aloha again proudly helped commemorate fallen U.S. military service members, at the 70th Annual Mayor's Memorial Day Ceremony on May 27, 2019 at the National Cemetery of the Pacific at Puowaina (Punchbowl Crater). Along with the Royal Hawaiian Band, the chorus has become a fixture at this moving event, musically speaking. In addition to Mayor Kirk Caldwell and other dignitaries, this year's honored guest was U.S. Chief of Naval Operations Admiral John M. Richardson, whose service record, it was noted, includes command of the submarine U.S.S. Honolulu.

One of the Sounds of Aloha's favorite events of the whole year is when we get to listen to, and sing for, other choirs at the Community Choral Festival held by our friends in the Honolulu Chorale. The 2019 festival on April 28 was no exception, and once again, the individual groups and the event as whole were better than ever! The diversity of music that every group selected to share in its own set was especially impressive.

The Sounds of Aloha's annual Singing Valentines event was a big hit again in 2019, with love songs delivered all over Oahu to appreciative sweethearts! February 13 and 14 saw quartets deployed across the island bearing roses from Watanabe Floral, personalized cards from loved ones, and romantic serenades! 19th Avenue (with substitute bass Adam LeFebvre) spread the word about the event with the help of KHON TV's Wake Up 2day.

An enthusiastic audience enjoyed a free concert of holiday favorites on the first Friday night of December 2018 (which this year fell on the seventh) in the beautiful and historic Kawaiaha'o Church! The performance of "A Gift of Song" by the Sounds of Aloha Chorus and its quartets was co-sponsored by the Kawaiaha'o Church Ministry of Music & Arts. We were grateful for this opportunity to share Christmas joy, harmony, and laughs with so many old friends and so many new ones, and it was exciting to do so right across the street from the Honolulu City Lights celebration. The church is a wonderful setting for music any time of year, but even more so when it is beautifully decorated for the holidays!