Church music of Tonga

The Methodists were recognized for their range use of hymns in their emotional services. True to their custom, the early missionaries brought the hymn-singing to their worshippers. These early hymns is still presently used in some of the Methodist groups, such as the Free Church of Tonga and the Church of Tonga which have the Tongan sounds and simple, short Tongan words.

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Missionaries in the late 19^th century brought the hymn that is well-known in England and Australia at the time, keeping the western sounds and interpreting the words into Tonga. These hymns are still sung in the biggest Methodist church like the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga.

Other Christian counterparts have brought their own musical customs. The Roman Catholic Church in Tonga, while a minority church, has been popular for its adapting behavior towards the folk Tonga culture. Their church music, though, follows western Catholic types.

In the smaller churches and the minority Methodists group, the hymn singing is alone, like hiva usu. A strong singer will sing the first notes alone (a practice which is known as hua or opening) and the rest of the worshipper will then follow. The church choirs are well-known, practice if often, and most of the worshippers sing all hymns in accord.

The Free Wesleyan Churches involve not only the choirs, but also feature the brass ensembles. This is possible in the customs which comes from the northern England, a strongly Methodist region, where joining in brass ensembles is a famous enjoyment. Visitors will unhappy that the blaring ensembles drown out the delicate accords of the hymns, but Tongans glory in the size and magnificence of their ensembles as they do the size magnificence of their churches. The smaller churches have no ensembles, but seek to them.

All of the Methodist churches have infrequent choir shows (po hiva), which is held in a bigger churches, to which all the neighbouring worshippers are invited. The choirs practice diligently to reveal off their skill before their competitors. Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus is often sung at these festivities, being respected as the essence of the choir show.

Hymn-singing is greatly practiced at the wakes before funerals. The relatives seat with the body, while mourners gives their last respect to the departed and to also bring gift items to the grieving. The church choir (from the family’s own worshipper) seating in the background, singing hymns through the day and night.