|
VOCA are a group of fun loving, professionally minded, singers and musicians, who share a love for song. Since its inception, VOCA have made it their primary mission to be not just a “choir”, but a choir with a difference. Today VOCA’s repertoire ranges from spiritual and worship music, to musicals and contemporary pop music, although VOCA’s distinguishing forte is Gospel music making them one of the top Maltese Gospel Choirs performing both in Malta and overseas. The majority of VOCA’s members are seasoned musicians, choristers and soloists with extensive experience in the field. This is clearly reflected in the distinguishable tight harmonies, dynamic sounds and soulful interpretations making every VOCA performance a joyous musical roller coaster. VOCA are available for concerts, weddings and any other events that require a good dose of entertainment. VOCA are available for bookings both in Malta and abroad. |
Our History |
Founded in 2010 by a group of friends with a passion for music and singing, VOCA is a four-voice choir. Apart from a good number of sopranos, altos, tenors and basses that make up the choir, many of whom have several years of experience in the local music scene, the choir is accompanied during its performances by its own band. VOCA’s musical direction since its inception has been entrusted to Nathalie Camilleri, a pianist and music teacher with years of experience in teaching music as well as directing musical groups.
Throughout the years, this versatile choir has not only built a vast repertoire in various music styles, including gospel, classical and pop, but also in various languages apart from Maltese and English, such as Italian, Spanish and even Swahili. Most of the musical arrangements for the choir are original and are written by members of the choir themselves. VOCA have performed regularly in weddings and masses throughout the country and have also taken part in many local and national concerts and events. From time to time, the choir organises its own concerts in Malta and abroad, in collaboration with established artists and international organisations. To mention just a few highlights, VOCA travelled to Milan, Italy, back in 2013 where, apart from improvising a performance in the beautiful Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, much appreciated by the passers-by, the choir also sang during mass at the Santuario di Santa Rita da Cascia. In March 2014, VOCA staged a successful flash mob at the Tigne Point Shopping Mall, in aid of Beating Hearts Malta. In May 2015, the Norwegian Choir Abildso Bygdekor visited the choir’s rehearsal venue for a singing session together as well as sharing their choral experiences. In December of that same year, the choir then gave a concert hosted by Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar and the Augustinian Priory in Rabat in aid of the restoration of the Augustinian medieval altarpiece. The concert was held at St. Mark's Church in Rabat. Then in April 2016, the choir gave a concert in aid of Dr Klown at St Monica School in Birkirkara. In September 2017, VOCA participated in a prestigious event in Brussels, Belgium, called ‘On Stage in Brussels’ which event was hosted by the international choir organisation called, Interkultur. On this occasion, the Choir wowed a large crowd with their performance in the National Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Koelkelberg and sang on stage to a large crowd in the beautiful Grande Place. Just two months later the choir participated in the 23rd edition of the Malta International Choir Festival, giving performances both at the MCC and in front of the Parliament building. In October 2018, VOCA returned to St Monica School in Birkirkara with a concert in aid of ‘Smiling with Jerome’. 2019 saw the choir stage its very own concert ‘VOCA The Journey’ where for two evenings, VOCA delighted the audience in Sir Temi Zammit Hall with a number of popular songs arranged for the choir by some of the members themselves. In addition to the fact that this concert was received with great enthusiasm, all the funds collected during these two days were donated to Puttinu Cares. After two relatively quiet years due to the pandemic (during which, however, the choir worked on a virtual rendition of The Cranberries’ ‘Zombie’), in 2022 VOCA started meeting again and working diligently on their repertoire. 2022 was indeed particularly successful for VOCA as they embarked on a music project with the well-known Ivan Grech, lead singer of the popular local band Winter Moods, in order to fulfil his longstanding dream of holding a concert at the Manoel Theatre together with a choir. During this concert, the choir accompanied Ivan Grech with harmonies written by one of VOCA's choristers, Lara Bonnici, specifically for popular songs by Winter Moods, Ivan Grech, and international artists. Undoubtedly, this concert was very significant for the choir because it was its first ever in this prestigious theatre. After the success of this concert, the choir once again had the opportunity to present the programme in collaboration with Ivan Grech to a beautiful audience this time at Pjazza Teatru Rjal, during the Notte Bianca 2022 edition. Christmas time is usually a very busy time for the choir as, year after year, they prepare a programme of popular Christmas carols to present to the Maltese public in various churches and local establishments. For the festive season 2022, in particular, the choir performed in Pjazza Tritoni during the Heads of State Christmas speeches which were aired live on national television. Later on, on 29 December the Choir gave its third Christmas concert at the Żejtun parish church, this time with a programme of popular Christmas songs sung entirely with new and original lyrics in Maltese penned by the well-known Maltese author Trevor Żahra. The concert was an enormous success. |
Music Leaders |
 © Ivan Borg
Nathalie Camilleri
Choral Director Music has been Nathalie's passion for as long as she can remember. She started taking piano lessons at the age of five and continued her studies under the tuition of several teachers, until in 1979, at the age of fifteen, she obtained her LTCL and ATCL Diplomas in Pianoforte. In 1980, under the tuition of Miss Giovanna Bascetta and Mrs Anna Scicluna, Nathalie obtained her LRSM Diploma, also in Pianoforte. During her career she has also taken part in several Musicals and stage Representations. Being a Music teacher by profession brought Nathalie more in touch with the joy that Music brings to our everyday life. Her busy school schedule has, throughout the years, not only kept her in touch with the Musical aspect of things, but also in the production of a numerous number of performances put up throughout the years. In 2004, Nathalie decided to join 'Voices' and this opened up a series of events which eventually led to the post she holds today. Becoming the Choral Director of a choir like VOCA never crossed Nathalie's mind. Having formed part of the choir since its formation, she was happy singing and mingling with her fellow choristers. Becoming VOCA's Choral Director has helped her enhance her musicality and for this she is very thankful. Like everything in life there are challenges, but hearing the choir come together gives Nathalie great satisfaction and the will to go on. Working with true friends whom she cherishes with all her heart is a truly wonderful experience says Nathalie. Nathalie never fails to take the opportunity to thank the Lord for providing her with the gift of Music, her family for their support and the choir members for their commitment and dedication towards the choir. She truly believes that Music speaks what cannot be expressed, soothes the mind and gives it rest, heals the heart and makes it whole, flows from Heaven to the Soul.  © Ivan Borg
Lara Bonnici
Assistant Choral Director Lara Bonnici's passion for music has been evident since the early years in her life, seeing her singing and playing the guitar and piano and learning music since the young age of 7. Lara continued her studies and training in vocals, piano and theory for the next 10 years. Her mother, being a piano and music teacher, has passed on the love and passion for music and hence, music had always been a very big part of Lara's life. For six years, Lara was a choir member and soloist with the gospel choir EnKor, who performed overseas on many occassions, namely Holland and Ireland. Lara was also a member and soloist with a well-known Maltese choir VOICES, which was a non-profit organisation and its concerts served to raise extensive money for charitable and worthy causes. Until today, Lara forms part and is a soloist with VOCA that performs mainly gospel music, but also other genres such as pop classical, musical theatre, traditional Maltese songs and Christmas collections - they have also performed overseas, mainly Milan and Brussels. Recently, Lara has also joined an 8-person singing group KORO whereby their focus is primarily to work on harmonies and perform cover versions of a vast repertoire of songs from various decades and many times with a twist. With both VOCA and KORO, Lara also contributes in musical arrangements, mostly in harmonies and also assist the singers in vocal enhancement and interpretation. Lara had started her vocal training under the tuition of Ms. Gillian Zammit in 2010 and continued to expand her love for musical theatre and started training in this genre with Ms. Rachel Fabri since 2012. In order to sustain and enhance her knowledge in Musical Theatre, Lara continued her studies in Musical Theatre with Masquerade Theatre School under the supervision of Mr. Stephen Oliver for acting and as the main tutor, Ms. Rachel Fabri for singing and Ms. Elena Buckle for dance. In 2015, Lara obtained an ATCL (dip) in Performing Musical Theatre and 2018 an LTCL also in Performing Musical Theatre, both with a distinction from the Association of Trinity College, London. Lately, Lara has also been under the supervision of Ms. Pamela Bezzina to further enhance different genres apart from Musical Theatre. Lara has taken part in several events such as the opening of the V18 events, the Phantom of the Opera and a Maltese opera 'Ahna Refugjati'. Furthermore, Lara also finds a big passion being a backing vocal in events since harmonies are her biggest pleasure in music, having participated in a big charity-event Rockestra for five years; Queen meets Coldplay concert; backing singer in the Malta Eurovision Song Contest and backing some of Malta's leading artists, namely Ira Losco and Ivan Grech. Lara has also worked as music teacher at St. Monica church school. Apart from the music lessons in class, Lara was following students in vocal abilities during school concerts and was also responsible for the primary school concerts. For 2 whole years Lara was also a singing tutor with Masquerade theatre school, teaching both individual students, preparing them for vocal exams; and whole classes, preparing students for musical theatre exams and concerts.  © Ivan Borg
Ray Gafa
Band Leader My name is Ray, I am the band leader. I have been playing music for as long as I can remember! I grew up in a family of musicians and singers, listening to mainly pop and 70’s rock music. The era of great bands, like Pink Floyd, Zeppelin, Deep Purple, and outstanding solo artists like Alan Parsons. I remember my late mother buying my sister a guitar, and I used to pose with a makeshift flat guitar playing a heck of a solo! There I realised that the guitar was the one for me. I took music lessons from Mro M. Farrugia. We had a mutual agreement, that as long as I played with his all-girl choir, my lessons were free! But I learned the actual playing by myself and by playing with other great musicians. Then I started my own band, playing in functions and as a solo artist in hotels and other venues for many years. In 2013 I decided to join Voca, first as a chorister then as a band member/leader. A complete musical shift from what I was playing. But Voca opened up new frontiers, new challenges and a fresh enthusiasm. Playing with different artists both locally and abroad. It’s been quite a journey, a happy one indeed. |