The American Samoa Community College Ethnomusicology Forum has attracted publicity in music and art circles in Oceania.
The February 2016 newsletter of the International Council for Traditional Music (ICTM) Study Group on Music and Dance of Oceania (SGMDO) provides a detailed account of the Ethnomusicology Forum that the ASCC Fine arts Department hosted last October.
The Forum, was part of the Samoana Jazz and Arts Festival for 2015 and 2014.
Chairman of the Fine Arts Department at ASCC, Kuki Tuiasosopo says the Study Group on Music and Dance of Oceania is a prestigious Pacific-wide organization of scholars dedicated to the responsible study of music and dance in our region.
He says for them to recognize our forum marks a significant accomplishment in the College’s efforts to promote awareness of the music and art of Samoa and the rest of the Pacific.”
Tuiasosopo is hopeful that the Samoana Jazz and Arts Festival will take place again this year so that the Fine Arts Department can organize another forum to tie-in with the main event.
He would very much like to invite other Samoan ethnomusicologists such as Aaron Sala and Courtney Savali to give the forum even more breadth and scope.
Local Presenters at last year’s Ethnomusicology Forum included Tuiasosopo, Tapaau Dr, Daniel Aga, Poe Mageo, Loretta Leagatonu Puaauli, Regina Meredith and Chande Drabble.
Speakers from off island included renowned authority on traditional Samoan compositions and chants, Dr. Richard Moyle and composer/ conductor Matatumua Opeloge Ah Sam, both from New Zealand and Galumalemana Alfred Hunkin from Samoa, a composer and musician.
