‘A Jubilant Christmas – Carols in Vittoriosa’ is the theme of this year’s Christmas concert by the St Monica Vocal Ensemble at St Lawrence collegiate church, Vittoriosa, tomorrow at 7.15pm.

Under the direction of Jean Paul Attard and Roanna Vella as assistant director and accompanying pianist, the St Monica Vocal Ensemble will perform a mix of traditional and contemporary Christmas carols. The programme includes favourites such as Joyful, Joyful to the World, All on a Silent Night, Mary Sat A-Rockin’, along with timeless classics such as Carol of the Bells, Christmas Lullaby and Caccini’s Ave Maria.

To add to the festive mood, the audience will be invited to join in singing a few Maltese carols and the joyous medley Jubilant Carols. The concert will also feature the gentle Spanish lullaby A La Nanita Nana and the much-loved Italian lullaby Caro Gesù Bambino, which will be performed by two young singers along the choir.

The choir’s origins date back to 1964 when the late Sr Beniamina Portelli OSA founded the St Monica Choir. In 2018, following Sr Beniamina’s retirement, leadership of the choir passed to two long-serving members, Jean Paul Attard and Roanna Vella. With their extensive musical experience, they led the choir into a new phase, during which it was rebranded and, in 2019, renamed the St Monica Vocal Ensemble.

Admission is free but those attending will be invited to support, through a retiring collection, Vittoriosa’s parish’s annual Christmas lunch offered to those who live alone.

The concert is being supported by Malta International Airport.

For further details, visit the St Monica Vocal Ensemble Facebook page. Those interested in joining the choir are invited to send an e-mail to stmonicavocalensemble@gmail.com.