This was announced yesterday by Voices spokesman Adrian Mamo during a press briefing at which details were given about the 10 day series of concerts due to be held between 6-10 October and 13 -17 October at the Mediterranean Conference Centre.

Family and Social Solidarity Minister Dolores Cristina, Vodafone Malta Foundation chairman Gemma Mifsud Bonnici and choir director Martina Caruana were also at the press conference.

What began 13 years ago as a modest concert at St Aloysius is now one of the most anticipated events in Malta, mainly because it is only held every two years. Voices has also become an important fund-raiser because, once expenses have been covered by the sponsors, all ticket money goes directly to selected charities. Mr Mamo pointed out that over the years, Voices has contributed over Lm250,000 to various local and international charities, while raising public awareness on such social issues as refugees and the homeless.

As minister responsible for NGOs, Mrs Cristina pointed out that Voices has always helped out where the government’s limited funds cannot reach. “The list of charities for which Voices has raised funds is quite impressive.

“I feel it is also important to help those smaller, less well-known voluntary organisations which find it very difficult to make ends meet.

“Sponsors are also volunteers in their own way and this year’s theme in particular conveys a very worthwhile philosophy. I believe every one of us can be extraordinary if we are given the chance.”

Praising the positive values of all those who form part of Voices, she joked that this year she hoped she would at least manage to find a ticket, as in the past the concerts have always been sold out.

Mrs Mifsud Bonnici said that in 1991, as the wife of then Minister Ugo Mifsud Bonnici, she was proud to have introduced the choir for the first time. Now as chairman of the Vodafone Foundation, which is the primary sponsor, she assured the committee of the company’s commitment to this event.

The choir's director this year is Dr Caruana, who said that 340 people auditioned for Voices, from whom 270 were chosen. This number will eventually fall to around 200 because some find they cannot cope with the demanding rehearsal schedule during the summer.

“However, Voices is still the largest choir in Malta. Each song is given a musical arrangement for four voice groups: soprano, alto, tenor and bass, and occasionally we add another two voice groups, mezzo soprano and baritone. The 20-member band is also busy rehearsing the songs, all of which have been chosen to convey a positive message. They are also songs which are familiar to most people, because audience participation is part of what Voices is all about.”

This year there will be no backing vocalists, and the entire choir will be backing the soloists. Since early June, the choir has been rehearsing its new repertoire, from pop to gospel, classical to samba, so that once again they give audiences a night to remember. Due to its popularity, there is always a rush for tickets with long queues at the booking office. The committee is therefore considering ways of making the purchase of tickets easier.

The organisers thanked the Silver sponsors: Island Hotels Group, Kinnie and Roland Keyboards and other sponsors including Salvo Grima Group, Nestle Products (Malta) Ltd, Kind’s Auto Sales Ltd, P. Cutajar & Co. Ltd and Frank Salt Real Estate.

Any other sponsors wishing to contribute to Voices should call telephone 2149-9250 or email [email protected]