Hilo Community Chorus Returns Following Pandemic Break

The Hilo Community Chorus is returning to singing with its inaugural post-pandemic season under its new artistic director, Michael Steele.

Rehearsals will begin on Monday, Aug. 22 at 6:30 p.m. For the time being, they will be held at Christ Lutheran Church, 595 Kapiolani St. Historically, the chorus has rehearsed at UH Hilo, but the university’s COVID restrictions do not allow for the group to fit into the regular rehearsal room.

Steele will be preparing the Chorus for a holiday concert featuring “The Many Moods of Christmas,” comprising four suites of songs arranged by renowned choral conductor Robert Shaw and famed Broadway orchestrator Robert Russell Bennett, plus three pieces representing the Jewish High Holidays and Hanukkah.

From early on in the COVID pandemic, group singing was identified as a risky activity for the spread of the virus. With that in mind, the chorus board recently established guidelines intended to assist singers in remaining safe. Guidelines include references to masking, vaccinations, distanced seating arrangements, and staying home when sick.

Singers interested in joining the chorus may simply show up at a rehearsal. Chorus members are asked to pay the dues of $45 and music fee of $30 with a check payable to Hilo Community Chorus.