The Joy Gospel Singers will be teaming up with the Lucan Gospel Singers of Ireland for a joint concert at St Lawrence Collegiate Parish Church, Vittoriosa. The concert, focusing on the theme God is love, will be held today at 7:30pm. This is the first visit to Malta of the Irish choir. The choir is multi-denominational, with members coming from various religious backgrounds.

This concert follows on the success of the Christmas concert, which the Joy Gospel Singers gave in front of a record audience at St Lawrence church.

Led by music director Ian Brabazon, lecturer of music at the National University of Ireland, the Irish choir was formed in February 1998 and is based in Lucan, West Dublin. Under Brabazon’s direction, the Lucan Gospel Singers have grown from strength to strength, and over the years have performed at various festivals, churches and weddings. The choir recorded its first CD in November 1999.

In 2005 they appeared in front of a live audience of 4,500 on the Irish National Television, during the Dublin Festival of Light. More recently they performed with Paul Weller to an audience of 8,000 during the Galway Arts Festival. They have performed in Oregon, USA, in 2000, as well as at numerous theatre appearances, including performances at the Draoicht Blanchardstown and Rupert Guinness Memorial Hall.

The 40-strong mixed adult Joy Gospel Singers was formed four years ago by Carmel and Michelle Abela. Carmel is the technical director, while Michelle is responsible for the musical arrangements, and direction during performances.

The Lucan Gospel Singers’ connection with Malta goes back to some six years ago, when Carmel and Michelle were residing in Dublin. After attending one of their performances during Sunday Mass, Michelle decided to join the choir and was even asked to direct the singers on a particular occasion.

The Joy Gospel Singers are based at Santa Lucia parish church, where they gave their first public performance in January 2003. They have since established themselves as one of the foremost choirs of Malta, and are accompanied by a live mini-band.

The forthcoming Vittoriosa concert will include a number of songs performed separately by the two choirs, as well as other spirituals sang by the two choirs in unison.

The concert is being sponsored by Grand Harbour Marina, Vittoriosa, and the Embassy of Ireland. Entrance is free.