Rehearsals underway for the BOV Joseph Calleja Children’s Choir

Children participating in the BOV Joseph Calleja Choir rehearse at the Catholic Institute in Floriana for Joseph Calleja’s concert on 28 July 2016 before moving to the main stage on Granaries Square

Children rehearsing with Gillian Zammit
Children rehearsing with Gillian Zammit

Children participating in the BOV Joseph Calleja Choir are rehearsing diligently for Joseph Calleja’s concert on 28 July 2016.

Soprano Gillian Zammit is once again coaching the 200-strong choir.

“Since its origin, in 2009, the choir has evolved both in the number of children, as well in the breadth of the repertoire,” Zammit explained 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,” she added.

In a statement, BOV said that the children will be rehearsing on the main stage on the Granaries Square in Floriana, closer to the date. They also said that preparations for the concert are already well under way.

The BOV Joseph Calleja Children’s Choir knows its origins in 2009, BOV explained, going on to say that the Maltese Tenor, who himself credits a choir as the origin of his artistic career came up with the idea.

“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,” Joseph Calleja said.

More recently, the bank added, together with Joseph Calleja, it set up the BOV Joseph Calleja Foundation that is using music as a therapeutic medium to help children cope with difficult circumstances.

Concurrently, BOV and Joseph Calleja are also assisting talented youths in furthering their artistic career, the bank said.

“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,” BOV said.

Seated tickets for the concert are available from €80 at www.nngpromotions.com or ticket hotline 79071766.