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As the new year unfolds and the routine resumes after the festive season, Schola Cantorum Jubilate announces its first musical event for this year. Teatranja – the conductor sings brings forth an infusion of music, literature and the audience; all on stage!
A special concert is in the pipeline and will feature the choir’s director and soprano, Marouska Attard. Marouska has been synonymous with Schola Cantorum Jubilate since its inception, having held the post of conductor from the very beginning. She holds a Master Degree in Music, specialising in Choral Conducting from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music and a Postgraduate Certificate in Music Education from the University of Malta.
To mark the end of a year filled with celebrations for its 25th anniversary, Schola Cantorum Jubilate (SCJ) is proud to present Carols by Candlelight – Special Edition, a cherished event returning in all its festive splendour.
Held fifteen times in past years, Carols by Candlelight has long been a highlight of the Christmas season for music and Christmas enthusiasts. The event has earned international recognition when in 2010, The Guardian listed it among the top ten Christmas events in Europe.
As in previous editions, the evening will begin with a concert at St Augustine’s Church in Victoria, followed by a dinner in the friary’s cloister. Guests will be treated to a magical atmosphere filled with enchanting carols, evocative literature and beautiful lighting effects, leading into an exquisite dining experience in the historic cloister, specially decorated for the occasion.
The concert repertoire will include classical and lesser-known Christmas carols, featuring works by Tallis, Adam, Gruber, Berlioz, Labaky, Rutter and arrangements by Willcocks, along with some delightful surprises that add the exclusive signature of SCJ. The concert will be under the direction of Marouska Attard.
Following the concert, guests will enjoy a banquet-style dinner prepared by Ogygia Caterers by Vini e Capricci. Chef Luke promises a culinary experience rich in festive flavours and crafted with care to complement the evening’s ambience.
Entrance is by ticket only, available through ShowsHappening.com. Seating is limited, so early booking is highly recommended.
For more information: visit scjchoir.com, email: info@scjchoir.com or call +356 7945 0950.
Join Schola Cantorum Jubilate for Carols by Candlelight - Special Edition for an exclusive night to remember and a celebration of music, tradition and Christmas spirit.
During this year marking the 25th anniversary of Schola Cantorum Jubilate, a series of special choral events is being held. 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, 5th July 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. 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 Ta’ Għammar 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 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. Optional transport will be available between Ta’ Pinu and the Amphitheatre and such booking is available on ShowsHappening. Patrons are kindly asked to dress in colourful summer attire to complement with the joyful spirit of the occasion and the scenic beauty of the setting. For more information, contact the organisers at info@scjchoir.com or 79450950.
Schola Cantorum Jubilate, in collaboration with the Malta Trust Foundation, presents 3Ts – Tea, Tunes, Togetherness! It promises to be a tuneful afternoon bringing people together for a freshly brewed cup of tea with special treats and different forms of art. Music, art, literature and the rural backdrop will join together for a good cause since all proceeds will go to the Malta Trust Foundation.
The Malta Trust Foundation, chaired by H.E. President Emeritus Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, is committed to sustainable solutions addressing poverty and vulnerability. Its work focuses on key areas such as disability, mental health and wellbeing, education (both formal and non-formal) and youth empowerment. The Foundation continually invests in resources to ensure tangible results.
SCJ Soloists – Marouska Attard, Hannah Tong, Bianca Simone and James Agius – will perform a jovial repertoire, filled with moments of soaring drama, ease and capriciousness. This is the first concert of a year-long celebration marking the 25th anniversary of SCJ. The programme includes pieces by Donizetti, Rossini, Bizet, Tosti, Head and the late Prof. Joe Vella. The concert will conclude with a special arrangement of local works by composer-in-residence Paul Portelli. Additionally, there will be readings of writings by Alda Merini, aimed at raising awareness about mental health and wellbeing in a diverse, overpopulated society.
Gozitan artists Vince Caruana, Paul Stellini, Chris Saliba, Maria Cassar and Jeremy Spiteri will enrich the event with exhibits from their studios, offering attendees the opportunity to acquire unique works of art.
3Ts will take place on Sunday 2nd February at 3.30pm at Ta’ Frenċ Courtyard. Entrance is by ticket only. Interested individuals are kindly asked to fill in the prebooking form and follow the instructions to purchase tickets, which cost €40 each.
For further details, please contact Schola Cantorum Jubilate by email at info@scjchoir.com or by calling 79450950.