September 12, 2008

Singing in the Islands

Vivace Youth Chorus Singers explore Pacific Rim cultures on a grand scale

By Gwen Parker
Special to the Times

Thirty-three young singers from Vivace Youth Chorus of San Jose took a nine day cultural vacation this summer at the Pacific Rim Children’s Chorus Festival in Hawai’i. Blossom Valley residents Marisa Whitmore, Anna Martin and Marjorie Alvarez traveled with Vivace to Oahu this summer, where 300 youth representing 12 children’s choirs from across the country were invited to participate in the Festival.

Vivace Youth Chorus of San Jose’s Artistic Director Peggy Spool, center front, with Vivace singers at the USS Arizona Memorial during the Pacific Rim Children’s Chorus Festival in Hawaii. Photos by Gwen Parker

The Blossom Valley singers, who were joined by youth ages 10-14 from other San Jose neighborhoods, including Almaden, Evergreen, Willow Glen and Cambrian, arrived prepared to sing a challenging repertoire of 14 songs in six languages of Pacific Rim countries and islands.

“On the first day of rehearsal” says Vivace’s Artistic Director Peggy Spool, “children from the choirs were mixed together. When they began to sing, suddenly all of the choirs became one. It was an amazing transformation and I could see the joy on the singers’ faces.”
Under the direction of Henry H. Leck, Artistic Director/Founder of the Indianapolis Children’s Chorus, twice-daily rehearsals on the Brigham Young University (BYU)-Hawaii campus were enhanced by stories of Hawaii’s history and culture. Anna Martin agrees with Spool’s observation, saying “I really enjoyed working with Henry Leck.”

During two evening performances at Turtle Bay Resort’s ballroom, the choirs shared their repertoires with each other. Vivace singers enjoyed hearing choirs from Alaska, California, Georgia, Illinois, Hawaii, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, and New York.

The last two days of the Festival were reserved for touring the landmarks of Oahu’s east shore: Diamond Head, Haunauma Bay, Pali Lookout and a drive through the Nuuanu Valley; shopping, dinner in Waikiki and some time at the beach. After an early morning bus ride and the launch to the USS Arizona Memorial on Day 8, the Vivace family was very quiet and respectful as the younger members began to understand the significance of Pearl Harbor and what took place on Dec. 7, 1941.

On the final evening of the Festival, the choirs walked from their hotel, across the street to the beach for dinner and the closing ceremony. The excitement of the nine days was culminated when the Festival participants gathered on the beach at sunset, singing their final goodbye song, Aloha ‘Oe, closing with the heartfelt words, “until we meet again.” It was a wonderful trip. Marjorie Alvarez says, “I had a lot of fun.”

The Pacific Rim Festival seeks to give every child an excellent choral experience and teach them about the cultures whose songs they sing. Making new friends from all over the United States and creating closer ties within each choir were unexpected treasures brought home from Vivace’s cultural vacation.

Vivace is a not –for profit youth profit, began its sixth year of rehearsals at the Stone Church in Willow Glen. Rising Notes for 4-5 year olds and weekly rehearsals for ages 6-17 start in September. Visit www.vivaceyouthchorus.org for more information about the chorus, or call 408-885-1746.