BEST TONGAN HYMNAL MEDLEY PERFORMANCE

Although it was back in 2011, much still has to be said about this performance. The opening event to Tonga's "Heilala Week" known as "One Tonga" brought many musical performances for a night of Praise and Worship.

Among those performances, was the Tupou High School Choir which was accompanied by their brass band. THS performed an arrangement of well-known Tongan Hymns. They began with "Kehe keu ofi pe" and ended with "Kuou tu'u 'i ho matapa"

The normality of hymnals is not for performance purposes as they are usually more popular for congregational praise and worship. With that in mind, there is a potential risk of performing songs that is already known to at least 90% of the audience simply because you leave out an important factor in entertainment which is the element of surprise.

The challenge then lies within the arrangement, delivery, and stage presence. The arrangement in the instrumental composition was indeed phenomenal and the dynamics in both voices and instruments sounded very precise. In terms of delivery, the interchanges between solo, duets, trio were very crucial because it kept audiences such myself often wondering "whats next?" thus aiding the idea of capturing and maintaining the audience's attention from the start to the end. The calmness and confidence within
their stage presence really demanded seriousness to be taken.

The performance itself brought forth both emotions and excitement! There are moments where you cannot help but notice that the impact of their voices exceeds their years as high school students. It brings forth the notion that the best has yet to come and that their future in music can be very promising!

Music in Tonga is not used only as a subject taught in classrooms, nor any other means for recreational activity. It is in fact a tradition that has been divinely embedded into our bloodlines. From "faikava" sessions to church congregations, one should notice that where ever there's a group of Tongans singing, you will find that singing in harmony is something that's natural compared to that of non-Tongan congregations where people normally sing in unison.

Needless it is to say, Tonga throughout the years has seen and adapted to many music styles from the classical period to that of modern society all because of western influence. However, Tupou High School, which is owned and operated by the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga had successfully showcased the church's conservative approach in regards to music and has no doubt put a smile on the faces
of the audience.