Influential Samoan Choirmaster Wins Top Pacific Award

A man named by the reputable magazine North and South as one of 100 Kiwis who made a difference in New Zealand music, has just received Creative New Zealand’s Senior Pacific Artist Award ($7000) in acknowledgement of his outstanding contribution to the performance and promotion of Pacific music. Igelese Ete is currently teaching music at the University of the South Pacific (Fiji) where he has injected the same talent and energy that saw him achieve success as the choirmaster for the first Lord of the Rings movie. Ete has composed for and conducted more than forty choirs. He was the conductor for the America’s Cup opening ceremony in 2002 and conductor/composer for the South Pacific Games in Samoa last year. He has been the inspiration behind the Auckland Pacific Gospel Choir and the Malaga Singers (University of the South Pacific). The 2008 Creative New Zealand Arts Pasifika Awards were held in Manukau on Monday 17th November.