For the past five years, Carols by Candlelight, has been one of the main productions of Schola Cantorum Jubilate. It all started in 2003 when the organisers thought of setting up a Christmas Concert with a difference.

This year’s Carols by Candlelight is being held on Saturday 15 December at St Augustine’s Monastery in Victoria. It starts at 7.30pm. The concert will be held in the church, whose fine acoustics create the ideal ambience for such a concert. Candles and special lights settings will be under the supervision of the artistic director Austin Camilleri.

Following the concert, there will be a gala dinner in the Renaissance cloister of the monastery, which will be decorated for the occasion. Traditional food prepared by Ta’ Frenc restaurant chefs will be served. Wine and traditional seasonal cakes will complement the evening. Visitors can admire modern paintings by the Gozitan artist Christopher Saliba, which will be exhibited in the foyer of the cloister.

All proceeds will go to the Guzeppa Debono Home of Ghajnsielem, Gozo. This home gives warmth to babies born to single mothers, as well as supporting the mother, her family and/or her partner. Moreover, fostering and adoption procedures are taken care of.

Those who attend the concert will be offered lodging at the monastery. Anyone interested should make reservations on 7945 0950.

Seating for Carols by Candlelight is limited. Tickets are available from D’Amato Records Shop in Valletta or from Bargate Bookshop, Victoria. Ticket Hotlines: 7909 4232 / 7927 1226. More information on www.scjchoir.com