Choirs from Different Churches Bring Samoans Together

230 members of the Upolu Samoa North Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints performed Sunday night in the opening event of Samoa’s Teuila Festival 2013. Appearing second on a program that included seven other Samoan church choirs and one from the US, the Latter-day Saint choir sang two hymns: “O Lenei Itula Lelei” and the rousing, “O lo’o Fai Nei le Taua”.

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, Catholic Archbishop Alapati Lui Mataeliga and other dignitaries joined the audience of approximately 1500 who attended in person. This night of music was also broadcast live on TV3.

Now in its 23^rd year, the Teuila Festival is an annual celebration of Samoa’s culture and heritage. This “Choir Exhibition and Evangelical Performance Programme” began the week-long festivities on an enthusiastically spiritual note.

The choral presentations were held in the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa’s Youth Hall at Sogi, on Sunday evening, September 1, 2013.

The choir from the Upolu Samoa North Stake had recently performed for the weekly television program, Viiga O Siona (Hymns of Zion) and did so well that local Latter-day leaders asked them to represent the Church at the Teuila Festival opening.

The women were dressed in blue skirts and white blouses while the men wore blue lava lavas, white shirts and identical blue ties with a red Teuila flower and the words "LDS Choir" in yellow letters.

The choir was directed by Lokeni Sua.

This was the first time that Kalaponi Leung Wo of the Sauniatu 2^nd Ward (congregation) was part of such a large event. The married mother of one said she was singing that night “…to be part of this great gathering…and to share the gospel in music.” She added, “I hope people will hear the messages we are delivering.” Like many others, she had to sacrifice time from work to be part of the choir. 

Debbie Figota, a young single adult from the Faleapuna Branch, said the choir spent four weeks practicing so they could “preach the gospel through music.”

Peter Silu’uga, another young single adult, is from the Nuumau Ward. Prior to the performance he said, “I hope Heavenly Father will be with me so I can have a good voice to sing the hymns we have prepared.”

Lelogoa Neria, wife of Stake President Lorenzo Snow Neria, is from the Sauniatu Ward. “I conduct the music in church on Sunday and also teach the Primary children to sing. I am proud to have this chance to sing in the Teuila Festival.”

Francis Leung Wo from the Sauniatu 2^nd ward. Said, “Singing is part of preaching the gospel.” Those who attended were certain to note that although the choirs came from different churches, every one of them sang about the Savior.

Read more about this event here and here.