Music education in Sāmoa gets special mentoring from Aotearoa

Music lovers of Sāmoa embarked on a harmonious relationship with Aotearoa at last month’s Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

While the leaders affirmed partnerships and devised climate responses, Sāmoa-based music education service SolFa Music Sāmoa Incorporation, spent three days in mentorship workshops with Auckland Philharmonia professional string players.

SolFa Music Sāmoa co-founder Philton Solomona said it was an invaluable opportunity of learning and professional development for music students and teachers.

“Thomas, Gill, Ben, Karen and Tim were absolutely heaven sent! Our students are still buzzing over what they were able to learn over that short period of time and were very inspired to keep pushing with the strings.

“SolFa teachers and student musicians were exposed to and were able to experience first hand how problems are solved professionally.

Photo/Supplied

This was a first time trip for the Auckland organisation, which included Gill Ripley (violin), Ben Harrison (viola), Karen French (cello), Tim Shacklock (double bass), and Senior Director of Strategy and Engagement Thomas Hamill.

Similar to the torch passing tradition we see at the Olympics, CHOGM has a “song relay” where the composition called “Symphony” is passed around the world for host nations to put their spin on it.

Under the guidance of Auckland Philharmonia, Solomona revamped the Music Relay Song co-creating it with the SolFa, the National University of Samoa before a joint grand performance at CHOGM’s Youth Forum closing ceremony.

The officially accredited musical organisation, the Commonwealth Resounds was also in the mix. Their purpose is to “connect musical cultures, promote initiatives and partnerships across Commonwealth countries” focusing on music education and composition.

Funded through the Margaret Engering Music Trust, the project also facilitated professional development of SolFa Music staff by identifying training needs and priorities and exploring music education specific to Sāmoa.

Hamill said in a statement that he was excited to see this outreach music project come to life.

“Working with the SolFa musicians and staff alongside colleagues from Commonwealth Resounds, embracing their cultural practices, and bringing this knowledge back to our Learn & Participate programme, will support our work across Tāmaki Makaurau and our mission to share orchestral music with the region’s diverse communities.

“The SolFa and Commonwealth Resounds collaboration represents an exciting opportunity to provide valuable musical experiences to this vibrant community, deepening their connection to the arts and celebrating their heritage.

“This project is a wonderful addition to our community outreach and musical education programme - with the exciting opportunity for our musicians to perform in front of Commonwealth Leaders!”

Philton Solomona. Photo/Facebook

For Solomona, it was an opportunity to improve his management and recovery skills.

“My personal highlight would have been Thomas guiding me through the rehearsal process especially on how to work with a concertmaster as well as how to run rehearsals for a huge group.

“The first Sunday rehearsal was so overwhelming but Thomas was able to give me a step by step guideline on how to move forward which, looking back, quite possibly had saved Symphony.”

State of classical music education in Sāmoa

While SolFa is still in its early stages of development, Solomona said classical musical dreams aren’t supported or encouraged in the motherland.

He said the partnership between Auckland Philharmonia and the Commonwealth Resounds is integral to bolstering interest and talent.

“Before, Sāmoa had access to volunteer teachers from overseas, nowadays we have the one volunteer on the island, Matthew Scadden.

“He tries his very best to attend rehearsals and give classes as much as possible and so he is also instrumental in SolFa’s development in both education and performance.

“But other than that, Sāmoa is very, very limited on what we can put on stage (in terms of classical music) and in SolFa we try our very best with quality control and so the amount of ‘good’ classical music out here being performed is minimal.”

Where to now?

Solomona said they try to encourage students to a level where they have options to study abroad or take first steps into a career.

“They can have the choice whether to continue overseas in university or to start part-timing in a band, ensemble or going solo.

“For Sāmoa as a whole (small island state) not much support goes into studying the arts because it is not perceived as a stable job, but the music world is absolutely huge.

He hopes that through the service his team provides and the continued participation of outside contributors to their local music community, families and aspiring musicians will see the worldwide decisions waiting to be made.

“In the American music industry alone, last time I checked, had about 100+ different jobs ranging from contracted work to part time or full time.

“If being a musician or working in the music industry can be shown as something that can bring in money, I think a lot of parents and people will be able to at least change their mindset on music.”