To celebrate the holidays, more than 70 student, alumni and staff musicians came together for a heart-felt, virtual performance of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and “Honolulu City Lights.” “With all the challenges caused by the pandemic, I thought this would be a great way for our community to stay connected through music,” said Director of Orchestras Craig Young, who directed the collaboration.
This is the second virtual partnership between the Punahou Symphony students and Symphony alumni. Previously, they shared their talents in the sentimental favorite, “Akaka Falls.” Young said he was inspired to continue this collaborative project to “keep the Punahou ‘ohana connected and to share beautiful music for the holidays.”
Although they couldn’t perform together in-person, the musicians were enthusiastic to create something together virtually. The individual musicians’ videos were expertly mixed and produced in this collaborative performance by Duane Padilla, a violin teacher at Punahou Music School. Featured musicians include members of Punahou Physical Plant, Security and Custodial teams in “Honolulu City Lights,” with lead vocalist, Kalani Kapuaala. Professional musician Laura Keller ‘06 – a violinist with the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra – performs as the featured soloist in “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” alongside members of Punahou Chorale.
Another musician involved was violinist Arlene Koh ‘93. Although music is not her day job, since she is a federal firefighter and paramedic, for Koh, music is an essential part of her life. Koh has performed in the violin section of the Hawai’i Symphony and with the Diamond Head Theatre orchestra and performed at her 25th Alumni Lū‘au reunion. Koh said she makes it a point to find time to practice and connect with the music community, in Hawai‘i and at Punahou. “I am happy to share and give back to the school I attended for 12 years that offered me a multitude of opportunities during my time there,” she said.
This project was made possible through the support of the Marcine Lichter ’53 Friedman Endowed Fund for Visiting Artists. See a related profile about Friedman, a dedicated arts philanthropist.
“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”
Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Let your heart be light
From now on
Our troubles will be out of sight
Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Make the yuletide gay
From now on
Our troubles will be miles away
Here we are as in olden days
Happy golden days of yore
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us, once more
Through the years
We all will be together
If the fates allow
Hang a shining star
Upon the highest bough
And have yourself a merry little Christmas right now
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us, once more
Through the years
We all will be together
If the fates allow
So hang a shining star
Upon the highest bough
A merry little Christmas now
“Honolulu City Lights”
Lookin’ out upon the city lights
And the stars above the ocean
Got my ticket for the midnight plane
And it’s not easy to leave again
Took my clothes and put them in my bag
Tried not to think just yet of leaving
Looking out into the city night
It’s not easy to leave again
Each time Honolulu city lights
Stir up memories in me.
Each time Honolulu city lights
Bring me back again
You are my island sunset
And you are my island dream
Put on my shoes and light a cigarette
Wondering which of my friends will be there
Standing with their leis around my neck
It’s not easy to leave again
Each time Honolulu city lights
Stir up memories in me.
Each night Honolulu city lights
Bring me back again.
Bring me back again.
Bring me back again.