Friday, 14 March 2008
Fifteen years ago, I participated as a student in my last song contest at Kamehameha, probably the only private high school out there that requires each of its students to sing their hearts out in Hawaiian language, competing against the other grade levels in the women's, men's, and combined class categories. As a junior, I had my two minutes of fame as I introduced the women's song on live television (As a member of the student council, we had the chance to apply for that opportunity.) I remember having to write and memorize a script, then practicing countless number of times in front of speech teachers and Hawaiian language teachers to make sure that I enunciated when I said "hundredth" and pronounced all my Hawaiian correctly. Tonight, my cousin Lauren is a senior and will participate in her last song contest.
Most people don't understand the time and effort that goes into preparing for Song Contest. Yes, even if you cannot sing (and yes I knew some people that were tone deaf), it is a graduation requirement of each and every student. When you go through freshman orientation, you not only check out where the buildings on campus are, but you also sing to get your part (I was Soprano 2), which stays with you all four years of high school. After Xmas break, the next few months are spent practicing with your class, learning the song, the notes, the Hawaiian language. The daily bell schedule changes, and everyone becomes harmonious, not only in voices, but also within each grade level class. So, there is friendly competition...and usually Seniors like to sweep the awards for the night (though we were one of those rare classes in '93 that didn't). Awards are given in music, language, directing, etc. and well-respected and well-known judges from the local music industry and Hawaiian language community are chosen to judge each year. Unless you know someone singing in each class, it might not seem to interesting. But, the most exciting part of the night is Ho'ike, when the students perform hula and more songs related to the theme of the contest. It's a spectacular show, and students need to audition to be chosen to participate in Ho'ike each year.
Though we're not attending the live show tonight because of baby Chase's sleep schedule and recent sickness, we'll be tuning in on TV. Hope you do too! The high school students' singing and performances will amaze you!
From the Kamehameha Schools' website:
"This Year’s Theme
2008 marks the 30th anniversary of the recognition of Hawaiian as an official language of the state of Hawai‘i. ‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i is thriving today thanks to this recognition and the subsequent establishment of educational organizations dedicated to instruction in the Hawaiian language. Join Kamehameha Schools Kapālama students as they celebrate this important milestone through mele of our past and present.
About the Pre-Show Documentary
After a century of disuse due to suppression and discouragement, Hawaiian became an official language of the State of Hawai‘i in 1978. Since then, Hawai‘i has undertaken tremendous efforts to revive the language through immersion programs, educational opportunities in preschool through college, and increased community support for a renaissance in Hawaiian language and culture.
About Song Contest
The Song Contest has been an important tradition of Kamehameha since the first annual competition in 1921. Miss Laura Brown, a director of music at Kamehameha between 1926 and 1947, stated that “the objective of the song contest are to build up the repertoire of the best in Hawaiian music for the cultural heritage of any student who attends Kamehameha; to develop leadership, cooperation and good class spirit; and to give students the use of their singing voices and to give them pleasure in singing as a means of expression.” Today, the Song Contest represents a proud tradition spanning 88 years of Kamehameha’s history.
Pre-Show
Friday, March 14 at 6:30 PM
Live Competition
Friday, March 14 at 7:30 PM
Encore Performance
Friday, March 21 at 6:30 PM
All times HST
Online Webcast
Please join us on March 14, 2008 for a live simulcast of the pre-show and the 88th Annual Kamehameha Schools Song Contest in its entirety on www.ksbe.edu. To ensure the best possible experience, we recommend you install the latest version of QuickTime or Windows Media Player."
Webcast Times
Hawai‘i Pacific Mountain Central Eastern GMT
6:30 PM 9:30 PM 10:30 PM 11:30 PM 12:30 AM
Saturday 04:30
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