Case Middle School’s ‘Kapuana Choral Festival’ Celebrates Musical Dreams

United in Song and Mission

The resonant voices of 300 singers from grades 6 – 8 filled Dillingham Hall during the inaugural Kapuana Choral Festival, a celebration of Punahou’s Case Middle School Choral Program. “The Festival is a special way for us to share and celebrate through music what it means to be part of the Punahou community,” says Alicia Scanlan, head of the Junior School Music Department. The festival was inspired by Punahou’s new mission statement, which was unveiled in 2023, reinforcing the core values of discovery, purpose and inclusivity for the community.

More than 300 singers participated in the concert, which showcased the School’s commitment to inclusivity through a variety of songs in diverse languages, from Arabic to Bemba. One of the highlights of the evening was when the choirs performed “Ka Punahou” which was composed by Alec Schumacker, drawing lyrics from Alaia Kinzer’s ’30 poem, which opens with the line “We are children of Ka Punahou.”

The middle school choirs spent months rehearsing their songs, with their work culminating in two performances on May 10. According to Scanlan, one of the most memorable highlights of the concert was the world premiere of a newly commissioned piece of music, entitled “Ka Punahou” which was composed by Alec Schumacker.

The uplifting piece draws lyrics from Alaia Kinzer’s ’30 poem, which opens with the line “We are children of Ka Punahou” – and is also a central phrase in the School’s mission statement. The work evoked imagery of children seeking knowledge from Punahou’s ever-flowing spring. Kinzer recited her poem to the audience, setting the stage for the beautiful performance. 

It was a joyous undertaking in which Junior School Principal Todd Chow-Hoy, Junior School Assistant Principal Chase Mitsuda ’98, Case Middle School Deans Rianne Graves-Grantham ’93, Kip Kuhn and Erin Regua, and music faculty members Michael Lippert and Amanda Lippert joined the students and choir teachers on stage to sing in the debut of the new work.

In addition to “Ka Punahou,” the choirs performed selections that aligned with Punahou’s five core values. These ranged from themes of “purpose and kuleana” to celebrating the School’s Hawaiian and Christian heritage. The performances also featured languages from Arabic to Bemba, showcasing the School’s commitment to inclusivity via “a mat that seats many.”

The concert was named by Kumu Lauren Chang ’01 Williams, who explained that “Puana” refers to the first notes or beginning of a song and the chorus. “Ka Puana” is also inspired by the ‘Ōlelo No‘eau, or Hawaiian proverb, “Ka puana a ka moe,” which speaks about the messages revealed through dreams. The term “Puana” parallels the word for flower, “pua,” poetically evoking the blooming of language and music from our lips in refrain.

“It was a team effort and deeply meaningful musical collaboration,” says Scanlan. The event was co-led by choir teachers Joanna Habermann, Mia Porreca, John Roberts; Kumu Hula Williams; with musical collaborators including accompanists Linda Asahina, Jenny Choi, Lena Wong and Arlene Koh ’93 on the violin. “We were proud of our community,” Scanlan says. “And proud of all of the hard work that the students put in. We could not be happier with their focus and commitment, as well as the warm support from the audience.” 

– By Rachel Breitweser ’03 and Helen Chao-Casano

Punahou
By Alaia Kinzer

Our beloved hala tree stands tall
protecting us,
nourishing us
As the waters of Ka Punahou shimmer with knowledge,
children dance and play around our campus,
waiting with eager faces,
their minds delighted to return to this school
We are the children of the New Spring
As we gaze into the vast valley of Manoa
No better gift could be given to us than more knowledge
We are the children of Ka Punahou,
The hope given to this school
As the golden sun sets, hovering above the horizon,
Soon a new day will begin
We entrust the school with our aloha,
our love for all that we learn,
and for our teachers,
our source of greatness

View a video recording of the Kapuana Choral Festival, with exclusive behind-the-scenes interviews with those who brought it to life.

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