Choirmaster's show must go on

SUSANA TALAGI/Western Leader

CHRISTMAS MAESTRO: Choirmaster Samson Helu says its good to see youth so energetic.

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Pneumonia won’t be standing in the way of one man’s wish to reach out to the community.

Samson Helu was diagnosed with the illness last month.

But it won’t stop him and his the Henderson Seventh-day Adventist youth choir from putting on Christmas in the Carpark this Sunday at Corban Ave, Henderson, at 7pm.

"I found out I had pneumonia a month ago," he says.

"I went to see the doctor the other day and it still hadn’t cleared."

The choirmaster says despite orders to take it easy, he remains committed to the task.

The choir recently performed at the Waitakere Living Arts festival.

But the 26-year-old says the free concert will be the first time his young charges have hosted a community event.

"I thought of this project as family orientated and a way of reaching out to people," Mr Helu says.

The Massey resident, a musician for nine years, has been the director of the 30-strong group for the past two years.

"When I started here the kids weren’t interested but now they’re full on," Mr Helu says.

"It’s really good to see the youth so energetic."

The choir range from 13 to 22 years of age and perform different types of gospel music.

Mr Helu says he hopes to one day make this his fulltime job.

"I’ve seen a lot of people change in their life spiritually through the lyrics of the songs that we share and that encourages me."

Parish spokesman Evan Fray says Mr Helu has also made an impact within the church.

"In two years he’s given our youth department a lot more focus," he says.

"Now they go away and take services and sing at the old people’s home."

He says the group are better than ever before. "The choir sound professional and get better with each concert," Mr Fray says.

- © Fairfax NZ News