"American", oops, I mean "Fijian Idol"!

Friday night was a really exciting event! Our first introduction into the musical talents of these sweet Islanders. We, along with 2 other Senior Missionary couples, were invited to be judges at the Nausori Stake Chorus Contest. This is an annual competition and the wards and branches take it very seriously. There were a total of 10 units (wards and branches) that participated. There were 2 choruses from each unit and they each sang 2 songs so it was quite a long evening but we enjoyed each and every song.

Each unit had a children's Primary choir and an adult choir. All the units sang the same songs so that they could be compared and judged. We did not judge the children's choirs because they were ALL so sweet, we could never have chosen one above the other. The children's choirs consisted of between 8 or 9 participants up to about 14 or 15. Some choirs had children as young as 3 years old who just stole our hearts. Each choir choose to dress in some similar, matching, coordinating way and it was fun to see their uniqueness. By the way, I'm sure there are no Orthodontists here in Fiji because EVERYONE has the most beautiful, white smiles. Their teeth are perfect and they just glow! Amazing! They are such beautiful, attractive people! Anyway, back to the competition. Each children's choir also had a child conductor -- so sweet, again! The choirs would march into the chapel and line up on the podium and then their cute little conductor would walk in, bow to the audience and to the judges and then climb up on this 3 step conductors platform, raise their arms and begin their song. I wasn't sure if all the conductors were actually leading the songs or just shaking from their nervousness but they almost stole the show from their choirs.


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The adult choirs were so awesome! They take this event seriously and they want to win! We were instructed to choose 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners plus a Best Conductor award. The Fijians typically sing a'cappelle because very few Fijians play the piano. There was one choir out of the 10 that had an accompanist and though the pianist was fabulous, it didn't make much of a difference without one.

The Fijians have a very interesting way of beginning any singing whether it is in Sacrament meeting, Relief Society or these wonderful choirs. They have one person, usually the person leading the singing, sings the first sentence then says rua, tulo which is 2, 3 and then everyone begins singing. I think it is very creative and I like it alot. We judges had a very difficult time choosing the winners. Hopefully those that didn't win won't hold it against us. But everyone seemed very happy and gracious when the winners were announced. It was kind of like the end of basketball season when the losing team says "just wait until next year!"

All in all it was a hugely successful event for this Stake. They had probably some where around 350 - 400 people there that night. I was pretty amazed. The funny twist to the evening made us laugh when we found out that the person that we awarded the Best Conductor award to was a Minister of a different faith who had been recruited by a ward to be their conductor! Maybe he will be interested in continuing to come to Church so he can continue conducting!

Katie: Count how many photos are on this post! What do you think?