The singers of the University of the South Pacific’s (USP) Pasifika Voices have been recorded for the soundtrack of the much anticipated Hollywood Disney Animation, Moana, to be released in November this year.

Pasifika Voices based at the Oceania Centre for Arts, Culture and Pacific Studies (OCACPS) in Fiji had secured the official contract of providing a choir for the movie's soundtrack, USP stated today.

Moana is an upcoming American 3D computer-animated musical fantasy film produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios, directed by Ron Clements and John Musker. The film introduces Auli’i Cravalho as Moana and features Dwayne Johnson, also known as the ‘The Rock’ who is said to be the highest earning Pacific Islander. The animation film is scheduled to be released by Walt Disney Pictures in November, 2016.

The Pasifika Voices made up of 18 of Fiji’s finest voices plus two young men from the Solomon Islands, led by Pacific maestro and Head of Performing Arts at the USP Oceania Centre, Igelese Ete, were chosen to be the official recording choir.

USP’s Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Rajesh Chandra said the recognition of the singers and artists by Hollywood, "demonstrates that our music and arts programmes produce world-class talent."

“The Producer, Composer, and Director have all given rave reviews of this recording by Disney."

Professor Chandra said that Pasifika Voices has performed at USP’s graduations for the past 10 years and is made up of students from all around the region and led by exceptionally talented staff.

Mr Ete said the contract acknowledged the talents of the people of the Pacific.

Moana Disney’s Producer Osnat  Shurer tweeted  “Amazing choir recording for our score - thank you from #Moana” with a picture of Pasifika Voices in recording mode”. 

Pasifika Voices might have an opportunity to attend the premiere of Moana  on November 23, said Mr Ete.