Counting on Kaua‘i generosity: Boosters ask community to help students attend music festival

Kapa‘a Middle School Choir and ‘Ukulele Band members who attend the WorldStrides Music Festivals in Anaheim, Calif., are — as one might expect — some of the most talented students on Kaua‘i.

The group, or cohort from within, has traveled to the festival each spring for the past 25 years, minus a couple of years off because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and claimed numerous awards.

This year was no different with the 18 members who attended the festival in March.

“A smaller group, but they practiced everyday and worked hard to bring home a Gold for the ‘ukulele band and a Silver Award for the choir,” said director Mary Lardizabal in a March message shared on Facebook.

Group member Malana Baldwin — nominated by Lardizabal — also won the “Stand Strong” Award presented by Disney and WorldStrides, being selected from a group of 3,000-plus students attending the 2025 festival.

“Our kids are true ambassadors of aloha!” Lardizabal added in her post. “Mahalo to all who helped us get here through their support, financial, donations and love for our keiki and their talents.”

Now, the choir and band — along with the booster club that backs them — hope they can once again count on the generosity of Kaua‘i for sponsorships and donations to get them back to Anaheim next year.

Kapa‘a Middle School Choir Boosters Club seeks assistance with sending Kapa‘a Middle School Choir and ‘Ukulele Band to the 2026 WorldStrides Music Festival in March.

It costs about $1,800 per student — including airfare, hotel accommodations, transportation, WorldStrides Music Festival performance and adjudication, workshops and other activities — to attend the festival.

The award-winning group — directed by Lardizabal since 1997 when the middle school opened and fortunate to have co-directors Loke Sasil and Anakala Michael Koerte — has about 200 students in grades 6-8.

And all of them hope to make the trip to California.

Kapa‘a Middle School Choir Boosters Club recently sent out a funding request with additional details about sponsorships and donations that will defray the cost of the trip and provide an opportunity for the ensemble’s members to attend the educational experience.

The booster club has several sponsorship tiers you — or your company — can select. The form also includes options to become a student sponsor or make another donation.

Sponsorship opportunities include:

• “Grand Staff” Sponsor: $1,000, which comes with a certificate of recognition, name announced at all of the group’s events, banner displayed at concerts and name in the winter and spring concert programs.
• “Dynamic” Sponsor: $500, which also comes with a certificate of recognition as well as name announced at all choir and ‘ukulele band events and being printed in the winter and spring concert programs.
• “Crescendo” Sponsor: $250, which again gets you a certificate of recognition for your sponsorship and name appearing in the winter and spring concert programs.
• “Notation” Sponsor: This tier is for all other donation amounts less than $250 and has the same benefits as the “Crescendo” level.
• Student Sponsor: You choose the amount you want to donate and specify the student you want it to help.
• Other donations: This is a value you set and can include gift certificates, items to be donated to the Country Store, silent auction donations, etc. Must include a description of the item(s) your are donating and their value.

Sponsorship fees and monetary donations can be mailed — along with a check in the correct amount — can be mailed to Kapa’a Middle School Choir Booster’s Club, PO Box 1493, Kapa‘a, HI 96746

You also can arrange to have donated items picked up.

WorldStrides Music Festivals aim to promote excellence among choirs, bands and orchestras internationally. All groups performing during the festival learn from each other and have the rare opportunity for some to hear fine music organizations from many parts of the country and beyond.

These advantages — combined with traveling — provide the attending choir and ‘ukulele band members a unique experience.

And it’s the sponsorships and donations that make sure each one of them has enough funds to get the full immersion.

“Would you please consider partnering with the Kapa‘a Middle School Choir Boosters Club to make this possible by becoming a sponsor or donating an item for a future fundraiser?” asked Kapa‘a Middle School Choir Boosters Club Treasurer Nicole Anama in a letter sent out to the community. “We deeply appreciate your kindness and consideration toward this worthwhile endeavor to make this trip possible for the [Kapa‘a Middle School] Choir and ‘Ukulele Band.”

Contact Lardizabal via email at kmschoir123@gmail.com or call 808-821-4460, ext. 136, for additional information or request a sponsorship form. You can also learn how to become a member of the booster club.

“Please support the Kapa‘a Middle School Choir and ‘Ukulele Band’s participation again in the WorldStrides Music Festival next March in Anaheim,” requested Greg Askew, who called himself a “citizen volunteer” in the email he sent with the additional details about how to help. “They’ve been winners in the past, and we hope you will support them being winners again.”

Visit the Kapa’a Middle School website for more information about Kapa‘a Middle School Choir and ‘Ukulele Band, including its upcoming events.