Sāmoan composer infuses Tinā with heritage, heartfelt choral tradition

Composer and music academic Tuilagi Igelese Ete says creating the choral arrangements for the Tinā film was a “labour of love”.

He says it was also a privilege to arrange iconic Sāmoan songs that are significant to Sāmoa and the wider Pacific culture.

“Sitting down, listening to the music again and finding ways we can connect through the different notes and the harmonies and the rhythm and find a way so that when you hear it at the movies, it connects emotionally,” Ete tells Nemai Tagicakibau on Pacific Days.

The New Zealand film tells the story of a Sāmoan choir teacher at a Christchurch school and has exceeded $5 million in box office sales, surpassing Sione’s Wedding in domestic success.

Ete says he wants to honour the deep connections that Pacific communities share with music.

“All the Sāmoan songs that our parents and our grandparents sang - that’s throughout the movie,” he says.

“It tells the story of our mothers and of our parents and their struggles and their sacrifices to bring us to where we are now, that’s what speaks the loudest.”

Ete reflects on his upbringing, which is influenced by his father, the retired Reverend Elder Risatisone Ete of the EFKS Newton Church.

“In our Pasifika culture, there’s nothing better than to be in worship or be in our cultural setting where we’re singing together, we’re united together.”

Dr Ete with Tinā director Miki Magasiva (second from left) and his parents the Retired Reverend Elder Risati and Fereni Ete at the Wellington premiere. Photo/Massey University

Ete has previously worked as a choral composer for the film Moana and as a choir conductor for The Lord of the Rings. He recalls being approached by the director of Tinā.

“Miki [Magasiva] came to see me about three years ago… He knew that this was something I was passionate about.”

The film’s soundtrack features original recordings from the St Francis Choir and the renowned Western Sāmoa Teachers’ Training College Choir.

Ongoing work

Ete is the Associate Dean of Pacific Studies and an Associate Professor at Massey University, and takes pride in mentoring and teaching the next generation of Pacific creatives.

“I feel it’s a responsibility as a musician, as an arts leader… to ensure our young people appreciate traditional music that our parents and our grandparents brought through.”

He recently returned from Papua New Guinea, where he worked with Bank of South Pacific (BSP) staff from Fiji, Tonga, and the Cook Islands.

“We created this choir, and I wrote a new anthem for them. It was wonderful to bring our cultures together and celebrate our Pacific through music.

“It's just ensuring that our music is used to be inspired and empowering the world, but also serving our Pacific community.”

Tinā is screening in selected cinemas across Australia, Aotearoa, and the Pacific.

Thousands sang "Ua Fa'afetai" to the cast and crew of Tinā the film at Auckland's Civic Theatre. Photo/Atutahi Potaka-Dewes