Tomorrow night at the Lee Auditorium, the Samoan Gospel Homecoming Singers would hold its 3rd Annual Thanksgiving Concert, featuring Gospel artists such as Mose Katina, Suva Bohanak, and Toe Tootoo and families such as the Ponausuias and the Paagas.
The concert starts at 6:00 p.m.
‘Thanksgiving is a special day for families. It’s a reminder of God’s everlasting grace and a celebration of cultural virtues,’ said Poe Mageo, music director for the group.
Though there’s so much to be thankful for, the singers—through music– would like to offer prayers and hope to the community as to what’s going on around the world, like the recent shooting in a Texas church, which threatens peace and heightens fear among communities across the nation.
Thus, John Marsh would offer an inspirational reading set to the hymn “Redemption Draweth Nigh”.
The song was composed by Gordon Jensen and taken from Luke 21:28.
“So much is going on around the world, but as Christians, there’s no need to be disheartened because God is still in control.
“And as long as we have faith in His Word, we can overcome these challenges,’ reassured Mageo.
Along the same theme, the Strings of Psalms, an advanced strings ensemble from Calvary Temple AOG Lepuapua, would perform “Sometimes Alleluia.”
Two timeless Gospel classics Elvis Presley recorded in the early 70s would also be featured–“There Will be Peace in the Valley” featuring Otto Haleck, and “Lead Me, Guide Me” featuring the Ponausuia Family (Eseta Brandt, Vaiola Taala, & Dorothy Marsh) of Aua.
An ‘all-sisters’ ensemble called Praising Voices (Diana Aitaoto, Aiga Puni, and Meanoa McFall) will perform “The King and I” (Walk Hand in Hand) composed by one of Southern Gospel music’s giants—Mosie Lister.
They would also sing the Samoan translation by their late uncle HTC Mageo Malu Ieti of the same song. Mose Katina, on the other hand, would pay tribute to his cousin, Rev. Dr. Tafesilafa’i ‘Tony’ Mageo, who recently passed away in Vista, CA, with “Faafetai, i le Atua le Tama,” a song he co-wrote with Tony.
This is the group’s sixth public performances. And as concert goers know, they are always in for a treat. Most of the time, the audience sing along with the choir and have a good time with the music.
According to Mageo, one song that would get the crowd ‘movin’ and groovin’ tomorrow night is “I Go to the Rock” by Dottie Rambo, a prolific Gospel music songwriter.
The song was featured in The Preacher’s Wife (1996). And Whitney Houston won the 1998 Dove Gospel Award when she performed the song in the same film.
The song was a hit among local Pentecostal churches when it was recorded by The Laulu Sisters in the early 80s.
