Rehearsals underway for the 180 children of the BOV Joseph Calleja Children’s Choir

It has now already been two months since the children of the BOV Joseph Calleja Children’s Choir started rehearsing for the much anticipated summer concert of the Maltese Tenor on Saturday

Speaking at the end of a rehearsal, the choir’s director and renowned soprano Gillian Zammit expressed her satisfaction with the progress made. “This year, there was an even higher level of interest by children wanting to join the choir. Then we have our core group of children that have been with us from the very beginning in 2009. It took a while until the new ones adjusted to the routine, but now the voices have blended in beautifully.”

Looking ahead at the upcoming event, Gillian expressed her confidence that the choir will live up to the reputation it has built over the years. Founded by the Maltese Tenor himself, the choir has been a firm protagonist of his summer concert that features Joseph Calleja in person, flanked by several international guests.

Gillian was appointed director of the choir by Joseph Calleja himself. He often refers to the choir as ‘the fulfilment of a dream he had been nurturing for several years’. In fact, he had started his illustrious career in a choir, and believes that it constitutes an important medium through which children, and even their parents, get acquainted with classical pieces in a natural manner. Gillian herself confirms that choir members switch from classical pieces to modern and pop versions smoothly and in the most natural manner possible.

Bank of Valletta is the main sponsor of the Joseph Calleja concert, which is being organized by NnG Promotions on Saturday. It is also the sponsor of the BOV Joseph Calleja Children’s Choir that will be accompanying Joseph Calleja and other artists, including Andrea Bocelli, who will also be performing at this annual event.

Bank of Valletta and Joseph Calleja are also the founding members of the BOV Joseph Calleja Foundation that has now taken under its wing over 20 scholars, who have shown promise in various artistic disciplines. The foundation is helping these scholars further their studies overseas, until they are able to take their first steps in their chosen career path.