The 25th anniversary of Schola Cantorum Jubilate is being marked this year with a series of special choral events. The choir said that these go beyond mere musical performances – they are a tribute to the choir’s pursuit of artistic excellence, designed to challenge and inspire its choristers while providing audiences with memorable and enriching experiences.

A highlight of the celebrations will be the Anniversary Concert on Saturday, the 5th of July, starting at 8.30pm, featuring Requiem for the Living by Dan Forrest. This five-movement choral work includes texts from Ecclesiastes and the Book of Job.

Described by the composer as a prayer for both the living and the departed, the piece was composed over 16 months between early 2012 and mid-2013. Forrest notes the difficulty and depth involved in setting ancient scriptures within a modern musical context.

For SCJ, Requiem for the Living represents a 25-year journey – one that has not always been smooth sailing, but like a life cycle, it reflects a metamorphosis marked by challenges, growth and milestones. The choir said that these have shaped not only the choristers’ personal development but also their social and cultural evolution.

For this concert Schola Cantorum Jubilate will be joined by its special guest: KorMalta, the National Choir and the Orchestra Sacro Monte from Varese, Italy. The entire ensemble will perform under the direction of Marouska Attard, the choir’s founding director.

The setting for this performance is as remarkable as the music itself. It will take place at the Amphitheatre on Ghammar Hill, opposite the Ta’ Pinu Sanctuary – a hidden gem that promises to leave a lasting impression.

From this vantage point, audiences will enjoy sweeping views of Gozo’s rolling hills, village domes and the vibrant Mediterranean Sea. One of the evening’s highlights will be the sunset; a daily spectacle that offers a tranquil prelude to the concert and a natural beauty no artwork can fully capture.

The choir said that the arena itself reinforces the concept of the life cycle or more precisely, the chronos, the passage of time that governs the past, present and future.

Admission is free. For those who prefer a lift up and back down after the performance, an optional transport service is available for €5 per person. Tickets for this must be booked in advance via ShowsHappening: https://shorturl.at/ZWvI6

All patrons are requested to be seated by 8.00pm.

Transport slots are staggered to ensure smooth arrival, which is why the first rides begin early. But arriving early has its own rewards.

A bistro bar will be open at the top of the hill, offering drinks and nibbles as the sun sets over the landscape. Just before the concert, there will also be fireworks from the Gharb village feast between 7.30pm and 8.00pm

SCJ is requesting that patrons dress in colourful summer attire to complement with the joyful spirit of the occasion and the scenic beauty of the setting.

For more information, please contact the organisers at info@scjchoir.com or 79450950.

This production is supported by the Malta Arts Council in collaboration with the Ministry for Gozo and Planning, the Directorate Cultural Heritage, Visit Malta and CVC.

Photo: SCJ

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