The Hawaii Preparatory Academy Middle School Handbell Choir, under the direction of Georgia Polakova, will present a free holiday performance for the community at 3 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12, at the Thelma Parker Memorial Public and School Library in Waimea.
The performance will be followed by light refreshments, hosted by the Friends of Thelma Parker Memorial Library.
Polakova, who is retiring after 40 years at HPA, is the founding director of the choir, which has been part of the HPA Middle School experience since 1985. The choir consists of 10 students, who take the semester-long class and present free holiday performances around the island.
The HPA Handbell Choir also will perform at:
• 12:15 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, at Prince Kuhio Plaza in Hilo.
• 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, during the Parker Ranch Tree Lighting at Pu‘u Opelu in Waimea.
• 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at Waimea Farmers Market (Parker School).
• 10:45 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at Kamuela Farmers Market (Pukalani Stables).
• 11 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, during the Big Island Giving Tree Event at the Parker Ranch Center Food Court in Waimea.
“We’re delighted to host this talented group of students,” said Pamela Akao, Thelma Parker library branch manager. “We hope the community will join us and enjoy the beautiful sounds of the holiday bells.”
The library is located at 67-1209 Mamalahoa Highway.
For more information, call 887-6067.