Samoan culture was on full display during the Mater Dei High School choir’s 2025 spring concert. In a now-viral social media post, the class choir can be seen performing “Pese O Le Tatau,” a song that tells the story of the ancient Samoan cultural practice of tattoos, or tatau.
Led by Mater Dei Director of Choral and Vocal Music Dr. Jodi Reed, the students can be seen pairing their singing with traditional Samoan dancing, or siva. The concert took place on May 27 at the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall in Costa Mesa.
Performing songs from the Pacific Islands isn’t a new accomplishment for this choir, it’s something Reed sets out to do every year. She believes music is the best way for the class, primarily composed of boys, to connect with themselves, with each other, and with different cultures.
“Sometimes my students ask me why we can’t sing songs in English, and I tell them that music is the easiest way to find connection with other cultures throughout the world.”…