Church opens its arms to visiting Samoan singers

GLORIOUS VOICES: Marton conductor Faio Iern is looking forward to a large choir from Samoa singing at his church on Sunday.PHOTO/ LIN FERGUSON

The large Samoan community in Marton are happy to be welcoming a 50-strong choir of women, men and children who are flying in from Samoa tomorrow.

The visiting choir will sing on Sunday morning at the St Francis Xavier Church in Russell Street, Marton, at 9.30am.

Organiser Faio Iern, who conducts the choir at St Francis Xavier, said the choir from the village of Vaiusu near Apia would also be singing in Mangere, Auckland, on Monday.

"They are here to raise funds to have a PA system in their church back in Samoa," he said.

Many of the choir members were relatives, he added.

"They will be staying with all of us here in this area. We are so looking forward to seeing them and hearing them sing because they are a very good choir."

The visitors will sing gospel and Samoan songs and be dressed in a traditional costume.

"We hope we can fill the church because these people are very beautiful to listen to," Mr Iern said.

He said people from the Marton Samoan community would be driving through to Auckland tomorrow to collect them from the airport.

"It has been a few years since we have been together. We are all looking forward to this - and, of course, looking forward to the music."