ASCC Invites Public to Christmas Concert this Thursday

The Fine Arts Department at the American Samoa Community College (ASCC) invites the public to join them for an early-evening concert of Christmas and other music this Thursday at 6 p.m. in the College’s Lecture Hall. Under the theme of “Let Christmas Begin,” the evening will include the debut performances of the College’s Concert Band (MUS 180) and Concert Choir (MUS 170), as well as the participation of this semester’s Introduction to Drama (DRA 150) class. Admission is free and the public is welcome.

Music instructor and Fine Arts Department chairman Kuki Tuiasosopo emphasized that public performance plays an important part in the training of any musician or actor, and said he is glad to see the ASCC performing arts students once again have a venue to share their talents with the community. “It's been a while since we put up a performance or concert,” he said.

“A major factor in this was a shortage of faculty teaching Music.” After several semesters with Tuiasosopo as the College’s sole music instructor, he and visual arts facilitator Regina Meredith this semester welcomed former Language & Literature Department member Poe Mageo into the Fine Arts Department.

Mageo has brought with him a wealth of experience in Music, which has enabled the department to once again offer a full range of classes in this area. “In addition to Choir and Band,” explained Tuiasosopo, “we’re binging back beginning Orchestra (MUS 187). Also, a new ensemble course called Samoan String Band Ensemble (MUS 181) is in the works. Other performing arts classes include Drama Workshop (DRA 151) and Acting One (DRA 251).

In the performance this Thursday, the Concert Band will showcase a repertoire that ranges from Classical to the Folk music of different nations to Rhythm & Blues. The Concert Choir, meanwhile, has prepared a program of Christmas songs from America, England and Samoa. With this being final exam week at ASCC, the Fine Arts Department decided on the early evening start time of 6 p.m. in consideration of students taking tests the next day.

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