Hawaii Youth Opera Chorus

The Hawaiʻi Youth Opera Chorus (HYOC) is Hawaiʻi's premier children's choir. It is currently under the direction of Nola A. Nāhulu as well as several assistant directors, accompanists, and various other instructors. It is currently housed at the University of Hawaiʻi (Mānoa) music department, although previously it was housed at Kawaiahaʻo Church.

In addition to performances with the opera, HYOC has developed its own diverse repertoire which ranges from classical, spiritual and secular, and Hawaiian music. HYOC has also branched out to include other endeavours, such as hula and piano classes. It has also recently introduced a special rehearsal for the male voices of the organization, in an attempt to draw more interest towards boys.

History

Originally the Honolulu Children's Opera Chorus (HCOC), HYOC was founded in 1961 to provide children for the Hawaiʻi Opera Theatre (HOT)'s production of Giacomo Puccini's La Bohème. So many children appeared for the audition that it was soon realised that Hawaiʻi was in great need of a children's chorus. Since then, HYOC has grown tremendously. It now contains singers from Kindergarten to 12th grade in eight ensembles. To this day, HYOC shares a strong connection with HOT, and the operas that require children use singers from HYOC. The 2006 season operas Il Trittico (Suor Angelica) and Tosca featured children from HYOC's Cantilena and Scelto ensembles. Past productions include 2005's Turandot, 2003's La Bohème, 2002's Carmen, and 2001's Pagliacci/Cavalleria Rusticana.

HYOC started out as a single ensemble, but as its attendance grew it continued to add additional choirs. Cantilena, for example, was created when the Coro ensemble became too large. Gioventù Musicale was created when the age range of the organisation expanded to include youth rather than just children.

As HYOC has grown, it has attracted more and more singers from all over Oʻahu. It has members from most of Hawaiʻi's public and private schools as well as homeschooled members.

Performances

In addition to the operas, HYOC performs at a variety of venues either alone or with other groups. On 22 November 2006, together with the Honolulu Symphony and the Symphony Chorus, HYOC presented John Rutter's Mass of the Children, featuring HYOC as the prominent children's chorus.[1]

HYOC also hosts several music festivals. Most notably, HYOC holds the annual Pacific Rim Children's Chorus Festival in July, bringing singers from all over the United States and elsewhere to Hawaii to study choral music of the pacific rim with clinician Henry Leck.

Ensembles

HYOC has eight separate choirs, or ensembles. The attendance of each ensemble is primarily based on age of the student, although there is some overlap based on each student's achievement and length of time in the organization. All but one have Italian names; Nā Leo Kūhoʻokahi is the only ensemble with a Hawaiian name.

Bambini

"Little Babies", the youngest ensemble in HYOC. Children in Kindergarten and grade 1 are eligible for this ensemble.

Stelline

"Little Stars", a sort of advanced level of Bambini. Children who have shown exceptional attention and achievement after at least a semester in Bambini are moved up to the Stelline ensemble. This ensemble generally learns one or two more songs than Bambini as well as some additional lessons.

Angeli

"Angels", this is HYOC's first performing ensemble, although performances are usually short and few in number. Angeli hosts children in grades 2 and 3 and learns basic elementary songs, usually in one part or a simple two-part melody.

Coro

"Main Chorus", this ensemble is for later elementary and middle school students. The Coro ensemble makes up the main body of the chorus, and is usually the largest ensemble. It holds from grades 4-7, although most students are in grades 5 and 6.

Cantilena

"Sing Song", Cantilena is an intermediate treble ensemble for middle school students. Typically students in this ensemble sing intermediate to advanced two- and three-part treble literature. In this ensemble, students are expected to show a fairly high level of dedication, which is indicated by an increased number of performances and higher rehearsal expectations. This ensemble houses students from grades 5-9 although it is primarily 5th-7th graders.

Scelto

"Select", this is the highest children's ensemble in the organization. Scelto is an auditioned ensemble that is subject to very high expectations not only in terms of dedication, but in terms of vocal and social maturity and leadership as well. All members of the Scelto ensemble also belong to Cantilena, but attend additional rehearsals and concerts specific to Scelto. Scelto members also participate in HYOC's hula classes. Additionally, Scelto members are usually the ones selected to perform in the opera, if children are needed.

Gioventù Musicale

"Musical Youth", the high school ensemble. Gioventù is HYOC's only mixed ensemble and houses high school girls and boys with changed voices. Gioventù students are expected to be leaders in the organization and have a fairly intensive performance schedule.

Nā Leo Kūhoʻokahi

"Voices Which Stand Together As One", this is HYOC's elite touring ensemble. Nā Leo is an advanced treble choir and typically studies three- and four-part advanced treble music. Like Scelto, Nā Leo members are also required to be part of Gioventù and also have the same dual schedule of two rehearsals a week and double the concerts. Because it is the highest ensemble, members are expected to be the role-model for their younger HYOC brothers and sisters as well as vocal leaders. Nā Leo is also the ensemble that is usually chosen for tours; recently, Nā Leo (along with Scelto) toured in China, and Nā Leo also performed in the MENC national convention in Salt Lake City.

Ragazzi

"Boys", HYOC's newest ensemble. All the boys in the organization from second grade to high school seniors meet for a half-hour to work on additional repertoire aside from the music they learn for their regular ensembles. The term "ragazzi" is taken from HYOC's opera-based history - usually children's choruses in Italian opera are marked with "ragazzi".

References
  1. Arcayna, Nancy (21 November 2006). "Youth chorus, orchestra hold free concert". Star Bulletin. Retrieved 2006-12-18.
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