Malta hosted 32 choirs between 31 October and 3 November for the 5th Edition of the Malta International Choirs’ Festival. Choirs arrived from different countries and were taking part in 14 different categories which included: Sacred Music for Mixed Choirs, for female choirs, for male choirs, Children’s choirs, Youth choirs for equal and mixed voices, Folklore and Popular Choral Music.

Gozitan choir Schola Cantorum Jubilate competed in the Category of Sacred Music for Mixed Choirs. There were another five choirs participating in their section. These were: Kamarikuoro Gaudete from Finland, LU FMF Jauktais Koris Aura from Latvia, Alversund Kammerkor from Norway, Riddarholmens Kammarkor from Sweden and Mitte-Riinimanda from Estonia.

Before the international jury Schola Cantorum Jubilate, under the direction of Marouska Attard, performed four pieces, three of which a capella. These were: ‘Lauda Sion’ (Palestrina), ‘Jesu Dulcis Memoria’ (Portelli), ‘O Sacrum Convivium’ (Bartolucci) and ‘The Lord Bless you and keep you’ (Rutter), the latter accompanied by Joseph Camilleri on the organ.

On Sunday 3 November, during the Award Ceremony, the choir had a pleasant surprise - it obtained a Silver Medal Award at Level X, or better, the top level.

This is surely of great prestige to the choir which apart from competing had a coaching session with renowned conductor and lecturer Naomi Faran from Israel. However, it is also an honour for Malta and Gozo to have such a choir that take music studies seriously and professionally and is on par with foreign choirs whose members carry an ingrained musical culture.

The Category winner and also the Grand Prize winner is the Swiss choir Riddarholmens Kammarkor which gave a unique interpretation of Lotti’s ‘Crucifixus for 8 voices’ among other pieces by Gjeilo, Sisask and Hogan.

For more details visit scjchoir.com or the choir’s Facebook page.