Rehearsals underway for the BOV Joseph Calleja Children’s Choir

Children participating in the BOV Joseph Calleja Choir are rehearsing hard to ensure they live up to expectations during the concert of Joseph Calleja on 28 July.

Soprano Gillian Zammit once again took on the massive task of coaching the 200-strong choir which has become a permanent fixture and an infallible protagonist in this annual event.

“Since its origin, in 2009, the choir has evolved both in the number of children, as well in the breadth of the repertoire,” explained Gillian immediately after one of the rehearsals, which this year are taking place at the Catholic Institute in Floriana. “Rehearsals start about six weeks before the concert and intensify the closer we get to the concert.” Recalling past editions, she says: “Children respond well to the experience. This event gives them a great moral boost. They are very proud to flank Malta’s cultural ambassador Joseph Calleja and the other worldrenowned artists participating in the concert.”

Closer to the date, the children will be rehearsing on the main stage on the Granaries Square in Floriana, where preparations for the concert are already well underway.

The BOV Joseph Calleja Children’s Choir knows its origins in 2009. It is the brainchild of the Maltese tenor, who himself credits a choir as the origin of his artistic career. “The choir introduces the children to modern and classical music. We witness that children take the pieces in their stride and enjoy them, irrespective of the language and their age. This augurs very well to the appreciation of art and music in Malta,” said Joseph Calleja.

More recently Bank of Valletta and Joseph Calleja set up the BOV Joseph Calleja Foundation that is using music as a therapeutic medium to help children cope with difficult circumstances. Concurrently they are also assisting talented youths in furthering their artistic career. Now close to its fourth year, the Foundation has already assisted several scholars, some of whom will be joining Joseph Calleja during the imminent summer concert. Seated tickets are available from €80 and can be booked on www.nngpromotions.com or by phoning the ticket hotline 7907 1766.