We invite you to ‘Au I Ke Kai Me He Manu Ala: Cross the Sea as a Bird, — a program that features the mo‘olelo (stories) and compositions of ali‘i that traveled back and forth between Hawai‘i and the United States for the sake of advocacy, resilience, and representation. This concert will be performed in honor of a matriarch of our choral community, Aunty Debbie Kelsey.

ABOUT
This Fall, our Music Ministries department welcomed the Nā Wai Chamber Choir as the newest ensemble in residence at Central Union Church.

Nā Wai Chamber Choir is a vocal ensemble based in Hawaiʻi dedicated to the preservation,  propagation, and innovation of Hawaiian choral music. Under Dr. Jace Kaholokula Saplan’s direction, Nā Wai recorded a Global Music Award-winning album entitled Eō Liliʻuokalani under the Mālama Music label and performed for the 2021 Chorus America Summer Conference, the 2021 National American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) Conference, and the 2020 ACDA Western Region Conference in Salt Lake. Since their inception, Nā Wai has commissioned and mentored emerging Native Hawaiian composers and conductors, toured throughout rural Hawaiian communities, and led workshops on the performance of Hawaiian choral music throughout the country.

A seasonal, auditioned vocal ensemble, members of the Nā Wai Chamber Choir are excited to present this winter concert on Sunday, January 8th at 4:00 PM in the Sanctuary. We hope you will join us!