The tonic solfa is a method used for teaching sight-singing, assigning each note a name based on its relation to the other notes within a key. This approach helps develop musical language skills and fosters genuine music literacy by training the ear to recognize intervals and understand pitch relationships.
While many individuals are still mastering the nuances of musical scales, 47-year-old Tarusila Nakoronivalu has been dedicated to this practice since she was 15. Reflecting on her experience, Ms. Nakoronivalu recalls her music classes taught by Mr. Sosiceni during her time in Year 11 at Yasawa High School, where she learned to distinguish between reading tonic solfa and singing by ear.
Her desire to master tonic solfa was largely influenced by her family’s singing background. Her grandfather, Kamanieli Navakaba, was highly regarded as one of the best bass vocalists in their church choir, and she admired his ability to lead others in singing bass parts.
Ms. Nakoronivalu’s father, Inoke Koronivalu, followed in the family tradition by also singing bass, alongside her mother, Litia Nakoronivalu. They nurtured a familiar atmosphere, encouraging family devotions and hymn practices after dinner.
However, Ms. Nakoronivalu stood out among her family for her ability to read tonic solfa, while they relied on learning hymns by ear. After her formal education in tonic solfa, she felt confident enough to teach her family, leading to collaborative singing sessions during the holidays.
Over more than 30 years, Ms. Nakoronivalu has made significant strides in her musical journey, beginning with the Nabukeru Church Choir in her village. She later joined various choirs, including the Natabua Church Choir and the Coronation Church, ultimately moving to Suva to be part of the Kadavu Choir. This involvement allowed her to travel throughout Fiji and even overseas to Australia, an achievement that took her by surprise.
Reflecting on her travels, Ms. Nakoronivalu emphasized the importance of pursuing one’s talents and using them to the fullest, highlighting how sharing knowledge can benefit future generations. She hopes that children in schools recognize the potential to develop their talents, regardless of their academic performance.
Currently residing in Nadonumai, she works as a babysitter while continuing to impart her musical knowledge to her church community.