As always, Gozo's Gaulitanus Choir will again be present in various events held in the sister island during the forthcoming festive season.

This time round, the choir's commitments commenced yesterday at the Munxar Christmas Market. Two very informal carol singing sessions will be held today at the Arkadia Commercial Centre between 5.30 and 7.30pm and on Sunday, 22 December between 10am and 12noon.

On Christmas Eve, the choir will be in attendance at the Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz, where those present will be warmed up for the Holy Night with a selection of carols in the hotel's lounge from 7 to 7.45pm. Some refreshments will also be served.

The Gaulitanus Choir and the Gaulitanus Orchestral Ensemble will then give a concert at the Xaghra Basilica on Saturday, 28 December. The grand concert, organised by the Xaghra Local Council, commences at 7.30pm and will feature the choir and orchestra in a very interesting variety of Christmas numbers.

The choir then rounds up its commitments for this festive season on New Year's Day by presenting its annual, A New Year's Toast. Now in its eighth edition, this is again being held at the Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz and commences at 7.30pm. The concert musically ushers in the New Year in style with a musical bonanza fittingly featuring a multifarious mix of Christmassy, operatic and other lively and bouncy repertoire, presented by the choir, its soloists and friends. This will also be the first event celebrating the choir's 30th anniversary. 

All events, for which entrance is free, are on a first-come first-served basis and will be under the musical and artistic direction of the choir's founder-director Colin Attard.