As part of its extended programme scheme, the Malta Drama Centre is offering a series of workshops on contemporary gospel singing.

Apart from introducing participants to voice techniques related to choral practice, the new course, which will run until the end of May, will concentrate on the application of gospel styles in connection with community performance.

The gospel singing programme will be conducted by Stephen Okoh, a music graduate of the Nsukka Enugu State University in Nigeria.

Mr Okoh has a long history of animating community groups and training in vocational, vocal expression. He was director of the Music Training complex in Dominion and director of Music of the Students’ Association of Nigeria, as well as master of the Sounds from Heaven and Emancipation choirs. Mr Okoh links contemporary gospel with simple, physical movement in order to highlight the intrinsic “joy”of the genre.

The course is being offered to people over the age of 18. The sessions will commence on 12 February and will subsequently be held every Saturday morning at the Malta Drama Centre studios in Blata l-Bajda. There are no technical admission requirements except a specific interest in song performance within a communal environment.

Places are limited and applicants will be enrolled for the course on a first-come-first-served basis. All participants showing consistent commitment will be issued with certificates from the Further Studies and Adult Education Department, (Education Division). There is a subscription fee of Lm12 to cover the entire course.

Those interested in the gospel singing programme are asked to contact The Malta Drama Centre on 2122-0665.