The Kamehameha Schools Children's Chorus (KSCC) was organized in 1988 by KS music teacher, Suzanne Kaupu Soon. Lynell Bright has been the director since 1989. Consisting of 100 members, the chorus is made up of 4th, 5th, and 6th graders from the Kamehameha Schools Kapälama Campus elementary division. The students' ages range from 9-12 years old. Every member of the choir is of native Hawaiian descent.
The chorus' repertoire includes Contemporary, Broadway, Hawaiian, Traditional, Original, and Sacred/Religious music. Sign Language is incorporated into some of the numbers. Contemporary hula dancing is performed by chorus members during several Hawaiian selections.
The chorus has performed at various Hawai'i community events on O'ahu and the neighbor islands, such as the 50th Anniversary of the Bombing of Pearl Harbor, Governor Benjamin Cayetano's Inauguration, Mayor Mufi Hannemann's Inaugural celebration, the Senate Legislature Opening Day, the ground breaking and opening ceremony of the new Disney Aulani Hotel, and various conventions throughout the state. The chorus has performed with the Honolulu Symphony, the Royal Hawaiian Band, in Windward Mall's Christmas T.V. commercial, on the KSSK Radio Perry and Price Show, on the KHON and KHNL TV Morning News shows, on a Kaiser Permanente T.V. commercial, and on the 50th Anniversary of Statehood CD with the Royal Hawaiian Band. They have also performed during the pre-game and halftime shows for the 2002, 2005, and 2011 Pro Bowls and with the University of Hawai'i's Rainbow Marching Band. Recently they have made several recordings for the New Disney Aulani hotel and Disney's national T.V. commercial.
The chorus has traveled to the Big Island, Maui, California, & Florida. In June 2001, they performed in Tokyo, Hiroshima, Uwajima, and Osaka and had the privilege of presenting a special song to the City of Hiroshima. In June 2005, they traveled to New York and had the honor of singing at Ground Zero and the FDNY headquarters. Following New York, they travelled to Philadelphia, Washington D.C. and Los Angeles. In March of 2007, they travelled to Aotearoa or New Zealand. Their most recent trip was to Japan in June 2010. Other performance highlights include the Good Morning America's Christmas Day T.V. Special, "Silent Night Around the World," two concert appearances with Celine Dion, and at the world premiere of Disney's "Lilo and Stitch."
The group released its first CD in December 2000 singing with Hawaiian guest artists Nä Leo Pilimehana, The Brothers Cazimero, Henry Kapono, The Anguay Sisters, Brother Noland, Teresa Bright, Imua, and Crystal Mateo. In the fall of 2001, the chorus also recorded two songs for the Disney animated hit movie "Lilo and Stitch." These songs are featured on two Disney CDs, the "Lilo and Stitch" soundtrack and "Lilo and Stitch Island Favorites" along with a song off their first CD. They released their most recent CD in December 2009 entitled "Na Nä Pua Lei A Pauahi".
In addition to rehearsing and performing, KSCC annually participates in service projects, donating gifts and supplies to organizations benefiting children and families in need. During the holiday season, the chorus makes special presentations at Kapi'olani Children's Hospital, for seniors at Maluhia Hospital, and for terminally ill patients involved in the HUGS program..