N.U.S. students winners of a first for Samoa

By Aruna Lolani 16 September 2017, 12:00AM

The G202 N.U.S group is the winner of the inaugural Barbershop Acapella Competition organised by TV3 and the Samoana Arts Jazz Festival.  

The final was held at Taumeasina Island Resort on Thursday night. Among the audience was Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, who addressed the crowd about the importance of the competition.

The three finalists were selected three weeks ago following convincing performances of both Samoan and English songs sanctioned by the Harmony Society of Barbershop, Harmony Barbershop Inc. 

They are Sweet Voices from Vaoala, Ma’a Tones from Fa’atoia and G202 from N.U.S..

In the end, G202 was the pick of the judges, Galumalemana Saveatama Hunkin, Su’a June Ryan and Vaigafa Tanielu.

The group dedicated their win to group member, Tautane Nu’u, whose father recently passed away.

Group member, Apa Kotimani Ta’avao, said they were thrilled to have won.

 “We dedicate this performance to my dear brother Tane and the passing of his loving father who has always been there for him, not only for him but for us,” he said. 

“We are all connected in this love, in this grace from God. It is the loving talent from God which is music and we are so thankful.”

General Manger of TV3, Verona Parker, has been a witness to all these amazing voices along the way.

“G202 have a lot of assessments; I was told by their coach from N.U.S.,” Verona said. “But they have been very determined to be part of everything that’s been happening during the Barbershop Acapella Competition and it has been a tough journey since the beginning especially with the registration of the Barbershop Acapella itself. 

“People didn’t really know what it was so I was fortunate to have the panel of judges that I do because of their background; they were able to enlighten our community through TV3.”

“With your natural voice, you can do anything with it; it’s just a matter of encouraging our community to take it up.”

She added: “I’m glad that from this programme; inspiration has begun for our community to take it up.”

Judge Galumalemana Saveatama said he was impressed with the talent shown.

“On behalf of the three of us judges; I just want to say how wonderful it has been for us. It’s also a journey for us. But tonight you can agree with me that it has been a wonderful journey for these young people. I think we thoroughly enjoyed our job to judge it,” he said.

 “Whether you come second, third or first, the most important thing is that you have been a part of this and now you know how it feels like to be a part of the very first Inaugural Barbershop Acapella Competition.”

By Aruna Lolani 16 September 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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