AIM HIGH LIKE AN EAGLE!! |
| News Room |
| ASCC Connections Newsletter: Week of December 23, 2002 Message from the President Dr. Adele Satele-Galeai Last week was a very busy week for our ASCC family. Monday was the ASCC staff performance at the Malae-o-le-Talu for the ASG Christmas Caroling. Tuesday was our staff party at Hong Kong Restaurant. Wednesday night was the ASCC student choir "An Evening of classical Music and Art" prsentation of Mozart's Requiem, and painting sessions by Reggie Malala and some of our local artists friends. And Friday was the ASCC Fall Graduation. We survived it all. Now Christmas is a time to relax and to revisit what Christmas means to each one of us individually. Although throughout the year we have had personal tragedies and trying times, Christmas is a season of hope. It is when God became one of us and came to live among us. The best present for everyone is God's Greatest Gift, His Son Jesus. As we celebrate His birthday this week. Galea'i and I and the rest of our family-from our humble home-wish every ember of our ASCC family a very peaceful Christmas. May God bless each and everyone of you. Soifua. Connections would also like to congratulate Chief Namulauulu Dr. Paul Pouesi and the great ASCC Student Choir for the wonderful Christmas Concert. The audience received more than what they bargained for. The caliber of the music performance was that of Carnegie Hall. One is speechless in trying to describe the feeling of elation from listening to the choir as they sang their hearts out the Mozart's Requiem as conducted by the very talented Dr. Pouesi. The pianist, Iutita Savali, accompanied by Albert Taala on the keyboard, was unbelievable. The two of them were magnificent additions to the choir. The soloists were wonderful; Soprano soloist was Foini Ah Mu; Alto soloist was Saufaiga Tuiasosopo; Bass soloist was Anthony Lafaele; and last but not least, the Tenor soloist was Steve Pele. Their music was so heavenly. Words escape me in trying to capture the moment. Congratulations to you all. As if the music wasn't enough, talented Reggie Malala and her two local artists friends, Siuleo Pouesi and Mark Faulkner were busy during the concert putting on canvas whatever images come to mind as inspired by the music. The paintings were completed at the end of the concert. These paintings are to be sold to the highest bidder and the proceeds will go to buy furniture for our new library. The bidding will end at 4:00pm on Tuesday (tomorrow), December 24th, 2002. The paintings are on display at the foyer between the Business Office and the Human Resources Office right here at ASCC. Contact Penny Utu at the President's Office if you want to place a bid. If Connections has its way, it would bid $1000 per painting and keep them on display where they are now (right outside of Connections Office). |
| "An Evening of Classical Music and Art" at the AMERICAN SAMOA COMMUNITY COLLEGE Wednesday December 18, 2002 7:00PM, ASCC Auditorium Works Samoan Hymns Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus" Mozart's "Requiem" Featuring ASCC Concert Choir Quartet Foini Ah Mu, soprano Sau Tuiasosopo, alto Steve Pele, tenor Anthony Lafaele, bass Conductor Namulauulu Dr. Paul V. Pouesi Live Artwork by: Siuleo Papalii Pouesi Mark A. Faulkner Reggie Meredith-Malala Donation - $3.00 (Proceeds will go to our New Library) |
| Dedication The ASCC Choir would like to dedicate their concert to the memory of their loved ones and friends. Hon. Gov. Peter T. Coleman Hon. Gov. A. P. Lutali Rev. Tulafono Liaina Faagau, F.T.; Rev. Panapa Tiso, F.T.; Rev. Tipeni Umi Saelua, F.T.; Rev. Failauga P. Mauigoa; Rev. & Mrs Siula Siula. Ah-Ki Ma-Chee; Ape Poutoa; Asosa S.P. Aumoeualogo; Christopher Toia; Eveni Mamoe Sr.; Faagalugalutaitaeao Savelio Loa; Faananafu Tupulua; Faauila Vivao; Faiga Tilo; Faima Malaetia; Foini Talamoni & Fevaeai Ah Mu Sr.; Filomena Ah Fook; Fualaau Tagovailoa Tagaloa; Hana T. Mariota; Ilaoa Liu Aumavae; Ingrid Pele; Iuta Ape; Jane Devoe Atuatasi; June Gardenia Misi; Kisiueta Tufono; Kelly Maria A. Reed; Konelio Pele; Lauala Ma-Chee; Leuta Levale; Liva Maluia; Loa Faasisina Auelua; Luisa Leala Reid; Lupesina Angela Pase; Nikolao Petelo; Nuuvea siu Tagovailoa; Randorf Gafatasi Vitele Morris-Utu; Reggie Lefetaui Ameperosa; Roland Liu; Taase Faaleo; Talaitupu Savea Savusa; Tauasosi Fruean; Tautala Tautala; Tesimale Lameko; Tinei Tolu; Tufanualemanuolefaletolu Pulu Taumua; Tusaga Pili; Matagimalie Faasua; Maloafua Maileoi Ape; Mataua Faga Alo Tiai; Mautinoa Iosefa; Melapa Tuifua Silia Nua; Paul Tupua Satele-Fritz; Peaario Papalii Pouesi; Pereise Savale Ale; Pisisami Panapa; Pisaga Saau; Pitoau Lopa; Savaliatoa Ape; Savea Mauga; Simone Talamaivao; Seumanutafa Maiava; Siopea Vaaelua Ah Ping; Siu Tagovailoa; Suisami Faasua. |
| PROGRAM I Welcoming Remarks Pulefaasisina Brownie Tuiasosopo ASCC Faculty & Staff Choir Christmas Carols (Short Intermission) II Special Dedication Dr. Adelle Satele-Galeai Mozart's Requiem Closing Remarks Finale Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus" (from Handel's "Messiah") Audience (Please all rise at the first notes of Introduction to the 'Hallelujah Chorus') |
| MOZART: A MYSTERY Daniel Pouesi September 11, 2001 was supposed to be just another day in busy New York City. But at precisely 8:46a.m., everything changed. American Flight 11 from Boston crashed into the North Tower at the World Trade Center. While onlookers were still recovering from the initial shock, a second airplane, United Flight 175, crashed into the South Tower. The rest of the nation watched with shocked disbelief as image after horrifying image of melting steel, and of empenetrable smoke, played themselves over and again on live television across the continent. Over a year later, the U.S. continues its hunt for Osama bin Laden and those responsible for the death of thousands of innocent men and women. Time, it seemed, has not dimmed the memory of that fateful morning, when survivors stood helplessly by and watched loved ones die in a black inferno. Today, we celebrate their memory, along with the memory of our fathers, mothers, sons and daughters who have passed on to that great land beyond. Christian apologist, C.S. Lewis, once said that wars, famines, and diseases do not increase death. He was absolutely right. As random and as irrational as death might appear, God does hold every life in His hand. He has appointed a day for each man, woman or child to leave this world - ready or not. It is one appointment no one will miss. For many, death is still a mystery. "Why and how does God decide one person lives a hundred months and another a hundred years?" The greater obstacle to the Christian belief in a loving God is the question of suffering. "If God is all-powerful and all-loving, why does He allow suffering? If He is sovereign, why does He permit the tragic and untimely deaths of good people?" Men have asked these questions since time immemorial. The problem, however, is not with God's sovereignty, but with man's attempt to neatly divide the world into good and evil, thereby ignoring the truth the Bible so plainly speaks of: "There is none righteous, no not one." for "ALL have fallen short of the glory of God." That we have chosen for our commemorative anthem the unfinished Requiem of the composer, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, appears particularly fitting. That Mozart died before he completed it seemed an apt metaphor of the mystery and untimeliness of death. But Mozart, himself (like all men) was a mystery. Though his gift inspired and brought joy to many, he was, at times, unable to find fulfillment and fulfill others. Turmoil haunted hum and the words from the much-celebrated Requiem could easily have expressed the conflict, doubt and uncertainty within: "What shall a wretch like me say? / Who shall intercede for me / when the just ones need mercy?" The second movement, Kyrie, responded with the natural lament of sinful man: "Lord, have mercy on us. Christ have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us." Mozart lived a brief and stormy life. Considered a radical in his time, the young virtuoso (and his music) was often misunderstood. Only years after his death, were both scholars and non-scholars able to truly appreciate and understand the genius behind the man; rightly regarding him as centuries ahead of his contemporaries. Certainly, as with most geniuses, Mozart's early attempts were derivative. But his original compositions, which ranked him as the greatest musician of the classical period, proved that he was, indeed, a child prodigy; a composer extraordinaire who stood in a class by himself. His music, as Peter Schaffer's Salieri would have it, was the voice of God. Francis I of Austria dubbed him "cin klein hexenmeister" (little master-wizard). In Paris, he was the "darling of Versailles." Grimm wrote of him: "[he is] so extraordinary a phenomenon that one finds it difficult to believe unless one has seen him with one's own eyes and heard him with one's own ears." Music came to Mozart as naturally as breathing, and it is said that one of his chief complaints was that he couldn't notate fast enough to keep up with the outpouring of his mind. Beyond the divinely-inspired prodigy, however, was Mozart the "foul-mouth" practical jokester. Mozart enjoyed a good laugh, sometimes at the expense of others. His Musical Joke K522, for instance, lampooned he works of less capable composers. In private, his impropriety was even more apparent. Like his father, he had a disposition for the scatological. Correspondence between the two, as music historian Marcus Weeks noted, "ranged from the uproarious to the downright disgusting." Mozart was a difficult man to work with and his temperament made it hard for him to secure friends and allies in high places and obtain full-time employment. Financial woes and near-poverty belcaguered him. And though he was hired as concertmaster for the prince-archbishop of Salzburg, he was denied the opportunity to write operas which would have earned him his rightful place among his contemporaries and provided him with a comfortable lifestyle. His real break came when his Idomeneo performed to unqualified raves and enthusiastic audiences in Munich. Mozart died at the young age of 35 and was buried in an unmarked grave. His contribution went largely unheralded. It would be left to his student Sussmayer to complete the requiem which bore his name. During his short life, however, he penned some 600 works---symphonies, operas, chamber music, sonatas, church music and concerti for a number of instruments. Whether or not Mozart honored God with his life, is anyone's guess. His life's work, however, a constant source of inspiration for many, should be a reminder that it is not long life that matters, but a life long on honoring God and edifying one's fellowmen. If one were suddenly removed from one's family, church or community, will one's work make a difference for those one leaves behind? Will one's absence leave an emptiness in others or will it bring some sort of joy? Has one touched one's fellowmen in a way to glorify God or has one contributed to their downfall in character? The Requiem speaks of God's judgement and of the day when man will stand before the Almighty and give an account of what he has done with his life. "Great trembling there will be / when the Judge descends from heaven / to examine all things closely / Death and nature will be astounded, / when all creation rises again, / to answer the judgment / A book will be brought forth, / in which all will be written, / by which the world will be judged." Life, as was Mozart's, may be filled with mystery. But death need not be---particularly for those who live for and die in Christ. |
| ASCC CONCERT CHOIR Sopranos: Foini Ah Mu(soloist); Molia Faanu; Lealoa Ale; Alice Maiava; Leilani Tautala; Rae Tesimale; Maloafua P. Ape; Alice Alo; Poulima Siaki; June Misi; Maria Faasua; Lulu Ah Mu-Pouesi; Kelly Reed; Fealofani Tolu; Nita Malu. Altos: Sau Tuiasosopo(soloist); Alice Tilo; Meleane Fogamoni; Angielynn Taumua; Nimo Mageo; Lise Uta; June Ioane; Fia Fuimaono; Nadine Nomura; Charissa Asailevai; Catherine Ieremia; Lita Timoteo; Soolefai Fagota; Simone Lapa; Mareta Faasua; Brendalyn Asailevai; Sylvia Saau; Sarah Chan Kau; Mele Lua; Luisa Taumoepeau; Toaiva Mauga; Celesty Tuiolosega; Ann F. Lafaele; Katrina Pele; Dora Lefotu; Savalivali Vasega; Tofoi Malaetia; Clarinette Eves; Melegalenuu Sene; Sina Auvaa; Saitutuila Tagaloa; Jane Lang; Naleen Soo. Tenors: Steve Pele(soloist); Alex Uitu; Billy Tupulua; Angelo T. Uele; Randell B. Castro; Iakina Mautinoa; Paselio Pase; Jamone Pili; Olovalu Suani. Basses: Anthony Lafaele(soloist); Alipate Latu; Umi Misifoa; Kisiueta Tufono; Saofai Petelo; T.J.Stowers; Pausetoa Tuiasosopo; Joseph Atuatasi; Tui Teleso; Larry S. Sivatia; Punavaioleola Auvaa; Soai Asaeli; Liusamoa Simolea; Lysyj Paopao; Osa Osa Jr.; Michael Lelafu; Claude Young; Alofosio Paulo; Reynold Togiai. |
| Special Acknowledgements Honored Guests Hon. Governor & Mrs Tauese Sunia Hon. Lt. Governor & Mrs Togiola Tulafono Mrs Susana Lutali Mrs Aumua Amata Coleman-Radwagen Artists Siuleo Papalii Chico Pouesi; Mark A. Faulkner; Reggie Meredith-Malala (ASCC Art Department Chair) Choirs ASCC Faculty & Staff Choir; ASCC Concert Choir Special Thanks Mrs Ruta Fou, BP; Godinet Rentals; Mrs Ruta Tauiliili Mahuka, ASCC IA; Mrs Lydia Tiapula Tui, ASCC SGA President; Ms. Le Decia Lefotu, Miss ASCC; Mr. Fuifui Taotua. Artwork by our guest artists will be auctioned after the concert. All proceeds will be donated to our new ASCC Library. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Manuia le Kerisimasi ma le Tausaga Fou! |
| Building a college program through music by James Kneubuhl, ASCC Press Officer (Samoa News, Tuesday, May 25, 2004 - Page 7) The American Samoa Community College Concert Choir, under the direction of Namulauulu Dr. Paul V. Pouesi, has released a collection of hymns titled "Lo'u Tama E," available in either CD or DVD format. This new release captures the sights and sounds of a special performance by the Choir, accompanied by a string orchestra this past January in Carson, California during their tour of Hawaii and US West Coast. Dr. Pouesi chose the title as a tribute to his father, the late Reverend Ioselani Pouesi, a medical doctor, minister and prolific composer of hymns in the Samoan language. "Lo'u Tama E" features the Choir performing eight of the Reverend's compositions, and two by his son. For this recording, the Praise Symphony Orchestra of Carson provides accompaniment, lending an additional melodic sophistication to the already-powerful style of Samoan choral singing. The new release came about as a result of Dr. Pouesi's long-standing dream of re-establishing a brass ensemble at ASCC and organizing the College's first string orchestra. Long ago, the College had its own stage and concert bands, until its music program fell victim to a lack of funding and qualified instructors. By the time Dr. Pouesi took charge of the Music Department in the mid-1990s, most of the instruments had fallen into disrepair or disappeared, although the school's vocal ensembles had continued to flourish. Faced with a limited budget with which to re-equip his program, Dr. Pouesi made ambitious plans last year to take the still-strong Concert Choir on a fundraising tour of Samoan communities in Hawaii and the US mainland over the Christmas holiday this past December and January. Simply getting the 30-plus members of the Choir to these destinations required months of advance planning and fundraising in itself, but once the tour got underway it went exceptionally well. The Samoan communities in the States gave the visitors from home their full support, often providing accommodation for the travelers in addition to donating generously towards their cause. Their performance at Reverend Malaki Tauiliili's Samoan Congregational Christian Church in Carson with the Praise Symphony Orchestra, recorded and filmed for "Lo'u Tama E," provided a fitting climax to a highly successful tour. As a result of the Choir's 2003 travels, and through additional support from the College's Board of Higher Education, the ASCC music department received its first new set of brass and woodwind instruments in many years. Dr. Pouesi hopes to have an ASCC wind ensemble ready to perform in time for American Samoa's Manu'a Flag Day celebration in early July. Happily, the strings will also arrive soon, thanks to Aliimau Jr. Scanlan, Director of the American Samoa Department of Commerce, who recently approved an additional grant to go towards the purchase of 32 new string instruments for the College. The Choir may have accomplished their immediate goals but given the amount of goodwill they generated on their last trip, it comes as no surprise that the ASCC Concert Choir will visit the US mainland again this summer, although on a smaller scale than last time. In late July, the Choir will travel to Long Beach, California, at the invitation of the organizers of the Tafesilafa'i Festival, an annual culture and arts celebration organized by the city's Samoan community. This year's Tafesilafa'i Festival will take place on July 30th and 31st at Long Beach's Queen Mary Events Park. While in California, the Choir will also revisit Rev. Tauiliili's church in Carson for another recording session in early August. This time, they plan to record a selection of Christmas songs, accompanied once again by the Praise Symphony Orchestra. For their other concerts, however, they will stick to the secular repertoire that never fails to win over audiences. "For our Christmas recording," enthuses Dr. Pouesi, "I'll select music from my father's and my own compositions. For other concerts, we will sing Samoan music, and perform skits in our own language based on biblical scriptures and Samoan legends." At press time, the Choir has only confirmed their performances in Long Beach and Carson, but they may schedule additional appearances before they depart for the States in July. While the principal goal of the forthcoming tour remains fundraising for the ASCC music program, Dr. Pouesi feels that the Choir's visits overseas have additional positive aspects. "The Samoan communities in the States love it when they can enjoy a little bit of home," he explained, "Also, students from American Samoa find it enlightening to experience the US mainland, and to see how Samoans adjust to living there." For more information on the ASCC Concert Choir, or the CD/DVD "Lo'u Tama E," visit Dr. Pouesi's web site at www.geocities.com/profnamu/index.html. To find out more about the Tafesilafa'i Festival in Long Beach, visit www.tafesilafai.com |
| ASCC Press Release May 16, 2006 Given the overwhelmingly positive response to the musical production "Once On This Island" staged last month at the American Samoa Community College (ASCC), the Fine Arts Department and their student cast and crew will present an encore performance of the play this Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. in the college Auditorium. Set on an island in the French Antilles, "Once On This Island" tells the story of a "star-crossed" romance between a young man and young woman from different social classes. The plot weaves in an element of the supernatural when the "gods" in which the islanders believe intervene on behalf of the young woman, with unexpected results. Music and dance move the story along, and during the April production of "Once On This Island," the audience frequently burst into spontaneous applause at the fine singing and dancing skills displayed by the cast. A true collaboration between the divisions of the ASCC Fine Arts Department, the play features choreography by the college's new Dance and Drama instructor Carmela Gallace, sets designed by Visual Arts instructor Regina Meredith and her students, orchestration by department chairman Namulauulu Dr. Paul Pouesi, and vocal direction from ASCC Choral instructor Kuki Tuiasosopo. Gallace, Meredith and Tuiasosopo all perform onstage roles in the production, while Namulauulu leads the ASCC Orchestra. "Once On This Island" attracted a full house during both nights of its first run on April 27th and 28th, and members of the public initially suggested that additional performances should take place. However, the student cast and crew of the play, who had already spent months preparing for the show, needed several weeks off to prepare for their final exams. With the college's exam period now over, the students will take this opportunity during the week before graduation to stage "Once On This Island" one more time for the benefit of those who missed it the first time around. Tickets for the play, available at the door, will cost $10.00 for VIP seating, $5.00 for general admission, and $3.00 for ASCC students with ID. |