The Samoan Cyber Choir or Aufaipese will hold an online Christmas concert next week in their continued efforts to unite Samoans in worship through music, in a bid to combat what has been a gloomy and unpredictable year due to COVID-19.

Rev. Letupu Faauuga Matautia, the leader of Loimata O Apaula Congregational Christian Church of Samoa (C.C.C.S.) at Papauta, says they are preparing a number of holiday favourites for release sometime next week.

“We are doing an online Christmas concert. We are doing four numbers plus a few solos and groups,” Rev. Matautia told the Samoa Observer. “Three of the choir songs have solos as well.”

Preparations began in late November and the invitation to collaborate was issued on 1 December.

Rev. Matautia sent out an invitation in the Cyber Choir’s private group chat and non-members were also invited to join in preparing for the concert.

“Invitation was also extended to non-choir members, directing them to the group chat where they could find the resources and instructions,” he said.

Some 40 singers have signed up to participate in the Christmas concert.

“It’s been like this since Project 1. Whoever is available can join us. Since the beginning we've had about 200 people actually taking part,” Rev. Matautia said.

“Only a few have participated in all [the Cyber Choir] projects including this one.  The message of the Cyber Choir from the start is to unite our people here in Samoa and abroad through worship during this difficult time. To comfort and warm the hearts of Samoans no matter where they are.”

The four songs that will be performed by the choir are: Silent Night, O Holy Night, O Come All Ye Faithful and Alalaga Ia Pepese Fiafia.

“Those are the numbers featuring the full choir,” Rev. Matautia said.

The show will be premiered next week before Christmas Day.

Administrators for the Samoan Cyber Choir are award-winning gospel singer Lesa Lani Alo and Feiloaiga Malaga, who are both in New Zealand.

Rev. Matautia, also an administrator for the choir, leads the C.C.C.S. Loimata O Apaula congregation at Papauta with his wife Helen Matautia.

People who have previously joined the Cyber Choir are located all over the world: United States, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, China, Sweden, Spain, Oman, Germany, Canada, South Africa, Japan, American Samoa, Samoa and Hawai’i.

Their music can also be found on YouTube.