Acapella comp first for Samoa

11 September 2017, 12:00AM

Barbershop Acappella is making waves in Samoa following the launch of the first ever competition of its kind on National Television in the country.

The development of different forms of music among the youth of Samoa is a positive move and one which relies on a well- known strength in the Samoan Community-that of fine singers and quality performers.

The goal of Barbershop Acappella is to harness this natural strength and talent among the young people of Samoa by focussing on the human voice.

In acappella, music or singing without instruments, we are eliciting that most important element-that of relying solely on the voice to deliver the musical message but also to bring forth talents that are there to be harnessed.

A collaboration between Apia Broadcasting Ltd-TV3 and the Board of the Samoana Jazz and Arts Festival in May earlier this year saw the birth of the Inaugural Barbershop Acappella Competition that will be the first phase of the Televised Talavou Festival 2017.

The Competition started small with 5 strong groups who were given the attention of fellow judges who are well known and qualified musicians in the country including Galumalemana Saveatama Alfred Hunkin, Su’a June Ryan and Vaigafa Tanielu.

The number of participants was enough for Henrietta Hunkin, a director and international judge of Acappella Music in New Zealand, who travelled over to Samoa in June to conduct a week long workshop with each group to set the quality of performance that was expected once it started.

The top 3 finalists groups were selected 3 weeks ago following convincing performances on both Samoan and English songs that have been sanctioned by the Harmony Society of Barbershop, Harmony Barbershop Inc. They are Sweet Voices from Vaoala, Ma’a Tones from Faatoia and G202 NUS.

The three finalists groups have since been busy with community outing arranged by the Show to build character and confidence to perform in public and open opportunities for them to seek employment as a Barbershop Acappella Group to entertain in the Hospitality Industry when the curtains fall on the show that will culminate in the Finals that will take place this Thursday 14th September, 2017 at Taumeasina Island Resort.  

11 September 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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