The McKay Auditorium filled as the Ko’olauloa Children’s Chorus prepared for its annual Christmas concert featuring traditional Christmas carols as well as Latin numbers. Also featured were Amy Gold’s String Ensemble, instrumental solos and hula dancing.“My sister is in the choir, and I was also in this choir for a really long time.” said Josie Tueller, a Hawaii resident who is now a BYU in Provo freshman in neuroscience. “It was a really fun concert. It was fun to see the string ensemble. They were really good. I got to see them at the beginning, and they’ve gotten a lot better.”Tueller also shared her appreciation for the Ko’olauloa Children’s Chorus and all the experiences it has given her. “Esther Macy is such a talented person, and I’m glad she shares her talents with the community. It really helped me when I was little, and I’m glad everyone gets to see that. I think the choir really brings the community together and it gives everyone something to appreciate and work for; it’s really enriching for the community.”Macy, who is the KCC choir director, shared her thoughts on the success of the concert. “I was busy backstage, but I know the kids did well. I was touched by the theme of the concert; ‘Adoramus Te’ and that means ‘to worship Christ’ and I think the children did really well at getting that message across.” “I’ve always had a dream to do this and lead a choir like this because I know our community is rich in culture and heritage and that the children can sing. I wanted to do this to open up the talents of the children and develop them. They learn to read and sing music and sing parts at a young age. They’re phenomenal,” she added. Morgan Cameron, a member of the choir from Laie, explained they had some technical difficulties backstage but “overall everyone did really well.”During the concert, Macy had also a special violinist play a solo for the audience and she dedicated it to the children, teachers and administrators who are suffering because of the shootings in Connecticut. Macy said, “I work with children and it just hurts me when I hear of innocent children being killed ... I work with these phenomenal children and I know how wonderful their spirits are and its sad for me to see how those children went.” Macy went on to say, “I know their spirits are pure and that they went straight to their Father in Heaven. My heart goes out to the teachers, administrators and families for their losses.” The concert required an entrance fee of $2, which will be used for the group’s tour to Italy in 2015. Macy said, “We’ve been invited to sing at the International Choral Festival in Tuscany and the children will also have an opportunity to sing in Rome, Venice, and Florence. The highlight of our tour will be to we sing for the saints at the
Writer: Terina Christy~Multimedia Journalist
