The Joy Gospel Singers will be giving a Christmas concert at St Lawrence Collegiate Parish Church, Vittoriosa, at 7.30pm today. Everyone is invited. The singers will be accompanied by live music.

The Joy Gospel Singers follow on the traditional Gospel music, so popular among many Afro-American communities, especially in the deep south of the North American continent. The Singers enhance their musical rendering by expressive body movements, and solo pieces.

The 40-strong mixed adult choir was formed four years ago by Carmel and Michelle Abela, on their return from Ireland, where Carmel was doing post-graduate studies in Anaesthesiology. Carmel is the technical director, responsible for the sound coordinates. Michelle, the musical director, is a physiotherapist and a music teacher by profession, and a mother of two. She is responsible for the musical arrangements, as well as directing during performances.

The Singers had their first public performance at Santa Lucia Parish Church in January 2003. The group gradually established itself as one of the choirs of the parish, enjoying the enthusiastic support of the parish priest, Fr Etienne Caruana.

Last year, the Singers performed at St John’s Co-Cathedral during a celebration organised by the Malta Bible Society in occasion of the launching of the Maltese edition of the Bible in Braille. In November the Joy Gospel Singers were invited by the Malta Cultural Institute to sing during their monthly concert at the Casino Maltese.

The Joy Gospel Singers meet regularly every Friday evening for rehearsals and social interaction. Their commitments include concerts, singing at weddings, participation in liturgical celebrations, and in other social functions.

The Christmas concert at St Lawrence Collegiate Parish Church will include some of the most popular Christmas carols and spirituals. The concert is being supported by the American Embassy and the Cottonera Waterfront Group.