BNF Bank Support VOCA The Journey Concert
26th April 2019
BNF Bank are supporting VOCA The Journey concert in aid of Puttinu Cares Foundation which will be held on 24th and 25th May 2019 at Sir Temi Zammit Hall, University of Malta.
"The term 'journey' in the title reflects a year- long relationship of the choir with the children at Rainbow Ward, where the group was involved in a number of activities with both the children and their families," said Voca Choir Committee representative Nicholas Zammit. "Our choice of beneficiary, then, was an obvious one. We hope to be able to contribute significantly to Puttinu Cares' latest project of acquiring a hotel in London to accommodate families seeking treatment there, by sharing our love for music. We thank BNF Bank for its sponsorship, which will help us greatly in achieving our fundraising goals."
"Combining the love of music with the dedication towards using musical talent for a laudable cause did not leave us with any doubt when it came to choosing Voca Choir for extending our support," said Alison Grech, Senior Coordinator at BNF Bank. "Moreover, the concert promises a fantastic medley of contemporary music and older tunes to whet the appetite of a wide audience. We are eagerly looking forward to it!
"The term 'journey' in the title reflects a year- long relationship of the choir with the children at Rainbow Ward, where the group was involved in a number of activities with both the children and their families," said Voca Choir Committee representative Nicholas Zammit. "Our choice of beneficiary, then, was an obvious one. We hope to be able to contribute significantly to Puttinu Cares' latest project of acquiring a hotel in London to accommodate families seeking treatment there, by sharing our love for music. We thank BNF Bank for its sponsorship, which will help us greatly in achieving our fundraising goals."
"Combining the love of music with the dedication towards using musical talent for a laudable cause did not leave us with any doubt when it came to choosing Voca Choir for extending our support," said Alison Grech, Senior Coordinator at BNF Bank. "Moreover, the concert promises a fantastic medley of contemporary music and older tunes to whet the appetite of a wide audience. We are eagerly looking forward to it!
Choir members support We Give Joy
11th April 2019
|
VOCA members support We Give Joy's call for action this Easter by donating chocolate easter eggs to the paediatric wards at Mater Dei Hospital. This year the donations were allocated to the Disneyland, Wonderland and Fairyland wards to bring some joy to the children going through a hard time by a simple act of kindness. Well done We Give Joy for the initiative and sterling work.
#wegivejoy #wearevoca |
Voca Choir featuring in Sterjotipi's new hit single Hajja Ta Xejn
25th March 2019
Voca Choir support Sterjotipi in their new hit single 'Hajja Ta' Xejn' by adding a beautiful harmony to this beautiful song. Hitting number 1 for two consecutive weeks in the Top 20 Klassifika tal-Maltin.
The song's lyrics tell the listener that no matter how hard life can get, we are all here for a reason.
Well done Sterjotipi!
#sterjotipi
#hajjataxejn
Choir members support World Down Sydrome Day 2018
21st March 2018
|
Once again VOCA wears #lotsofsocks for World Down Syndrome Day in 2018 to continue to help in raising awareness of what Down syndrome is, what it means to have Down syndrome, and how people with Down syndrome play a vital role in our lives and communities. People with Down syndrome can and do bring so much to the community, wherever they live around the world, when given the opportunity. We may be different but everyone should be accepted the same way!
#worlddownsyndromeday #wearevoca |
Voca Choir hold masterclass with Louisa Frendo Wirth
18th April 2017
|
VOCA Choir end the series of masterclasses scheduled for the year 2017, which were organised to improve the member's skills and techniques, with the final masterclass presented by Ms. Louisa Frendo Wirth. Louisa is a Speech Language Pathologist who has shown an interest in the arts from a young age, where she participated and formed part of the organisation team in many school soirees, cultural activities and productions, both at secondary school and sixth form. Louisa started voice training under the tuition of Gillian Zammit in 2002 and has achieved up to grade 6 in the Trinity-Guildhall School of Music & Drama voice exams. She has taken part in Voices since 2002 and her musical theatre performances include Masquerade’s Suessical the Musical (2006) and MADC’s Christmas panto Sinbad the Tailor (2008-9). In 2010, Louisa formed part of the Beatles Philharmonic Tribute choir, performing at the Royal Albert Hall in London. She participated in Concerto di Natale 2010 held at the MCC, Valletta. Louisa participated in the annual concerts Rockestra in 2010, 2011, 2012 & 2013 as a backing vocalist. She participated as a backing vocalist in the Malta Eurovision Song Contest in 2011, 2012 & 2013. Louisa has formed part of Animae Gospel Choir since 2012, with which she participates in local concerts, workshops, weddings, events and TV appearances. Louisa also sings in local wine bars, restaurants and weddings, as part of a live acoustic duo, together with her father Patrick Wirth. Louisa presented a class on vocal care, focusing on breathing patterns, posture and vocal exercises. |
|
Voca Choir hold masterclass with Thomas Camilleri
11th April 2017
|
VOCA Choir held the fourth in a series of masterclasses, presented by Mr. Thomas Camilleri. Thomas has been into acting since a very young age with Masquerade Theatre Arts School. He spent ten years in the UK taking part in the ensemble and musicals in various productions such as Les Misérables, Evita, Legally Blonde and The Rocky Horror Show. During the masterclass, Thomas focused on diction and stage presence by using varied exercises highlighting strategic points to benefit the choir’s development. |
|
Choir members participate in YESHUA
1st April 2017
Choir members support World Down Sydrome Day
22nd March 2017
|
Voca Choir wears #lotsofsocks for World Down Syndrome Day to help raise awareness of what Down syndrome is, what it means to have Down syndrome, and how people with Down syndrome play a vital role in our lives and communities. We may be different but everyone should be accepted the same way! #worlddownsyndromeday |
|
Voca Choir hold masterclass with Pamela Bezzina
28th February 2017
|
VOCA Choir held the third in a series of masterclasses, this time presented by Ms. Pamela Bezzina. Pamela is a professional Vocal Coach and vocal arranger and studied music and Classical singing from an early age. She then continued her musical and voice studies in contemporary singing and owns a degree in Speech and Language Pathology where she focused her studies on the Human Voice and singing. This also entitles her to practise Voice Therapy with singers who encounter any voice difficulties and together with several Otolaryngologists and ENT specialists in Malta she plans and administers a rehabilitation programme for singers with voice disorders. She is also trained in the Estill Vocal Technique - a singing technique which is very scientifically oriented and helps understand each individual's voice in much more detail. |
|
Voca Choir hold first masterclass with Rachel Fabri
24th January 2017
|
VOCA Choir start a series of masterclasses in 2017 to improve the choir's skills and techniques with the first being presented by Ms. Rachel Fabri. Rachel is a classical-crossover and musical theatre soprano - a popular and professional singer who has performed in various concerts, musicals, corporate events, gigs, weddings and others, most frequently in Malta and the UK. Rachel formed part of the well-renowned, British, platinum-disc, classical-crossover quartet 'All Angels'. With All Angels, she performed at prestigious venues such as Wembley Stadium (Champions League Final Opening Ceremony 2011) in front of 90,000 live spectators and millions of TV viewers, in front of over 20,000 people at the O2 Arena and the Royal Albert Hall among others. She is signed to the internationally-acclaimed Eclipse Artists Agency. She completed a Masters in Musical Theatre at the Guildford School of Acting (UK) and was Head of Music at Masquerade School for Performing Arts for the past 4 years. Rachel participated in frequent workshops and masterclasses both in Malta and in the UK. Rachel also completed the Estill Voice Course in London with Charlotte Shorthouse, thanks to funding from the Malta Arts Council. |
|
Choir members take on the Mannequin Challenge
15th December 2016
Voca Choir members participate in Voices Celebration
7th to 9th October 2016
© Ivan Borg
|
VOICES celebrated its 25th anniversary this October. In its largest and final concert, we revisiting some of the most memorable moments and numbers from past years. 250 former VOICES choir members re-united for one last time to perform some of the most iconic and renowned songs including tunes by Michael Jackson, Queen, Adele, and Coldplay amongst others. Around 28 Voca choir members participated in this concert as they did in previous years to raise funds for those in need. |
© Ivan Borg
Pink Magazine Promotion
17th April 2016
For those of you who did not manage to get a copy of Pink magazine out with The Sunday Times of Malta yesterday, here is the feature. Thank you Pink magazine for your support:
SnapShot - Passing on the good
Klara Grech, 23, forms part of the Voca Choir and is about to use her talent to raise funds for charity. She believes she was just fortunate to be born in better circumstances than others, and not deserving such luck, she wants to do her utmost to help them better their own lives.
Voca Choir’s upcoming performance is in aid of Dr Klown. This brings in the charity element, which you claim is a big part of your life. How and why?
I was always exposed to voluntary work through my parents’ involvement with the Girl Guide Movement, missionary work in Peru, the Hospice In-patient Unit and Dr Klown, which my father forms part of. From a young age, I formed part of youth groups. I have participated in three editions of Voices, which although a huge commitment is worth every minute, and along with a group of my friends, we organised a number of Christmas parties for children in orphanages. I believe I was just lucky to be born in better circumstances than others, and not meriting such luck, I feel I must do my utmost to help others less fortunate to better their own lives. My parents’ guiding principle is to live, love, laugh and leave a legacy. This is their legacy… I will continue building on it.
Why do you feel Dr Klown is such an important initiative?
Happiness is not just about money and comfort. Feeling cared for is also an important aspect and being able to care adds a deeper significance to life. This is one thing Dr Klown definitely offers to that sick child in hospital. There is no better medicine than laughter; the ability to get a child to dream and forget the trauma of hospitalisation. All money raised from the Voca Choir concert on April 29 is going directly to Dr Klown to help continue the mission. The €10 spent on the ticket is not for the Klown doctors to benefit from, but to continue their training and development to be able to deliver love and laughter to children in hospital to help them forget their fear and pain.
Your motto is paying it forward. Have you experienced this in life, whereby people who have benefited from someone’s kind act have paid it forward to the next person in need? Do you think this happens much and how would you describe the world we live in, in terms of good and evil?
Paying it forward does not mean that you have to perform a huge act of charity. That simple smile at the next person you meet may make a huge difference in their life; it may be the only smile they receive. If that smile keeps on going, it creates a ripple effect. I have had my ups and downs like everyone else, and that smile and word of encouragement helped me to move on. I will now pass it on to someone else. Unfortunately, today, only evil is publicised and there is not much focus on the good things being done in our world, especially by young people like myself. Granted, there is crime and terrorism… But life is not just about that and not all people are driven to do harm. We just need to be reminded about this constantly and focus on what is good. Most of my friends share the same values and are doing similar acts of kindness, paying forward what they have received.
How does the stark numbers aspect of your job as an accountant marry with your passion for singing and your love for nail art and painting nails? What do these varied interests say about your character?
Accountants are not just numbers oriented. Variety is the spice of life – accountancy is my profession, but it is not what makes me who I am. My love for singing, nail art and recently running [I just participated in my first Half Marathon] help me improve my creativity and teach me how to be more patient. They fill my busy daily schedule and make this journey of life more interesting.
You sing in a choir, but would you prefer to do it alone, and hear your own voice rather than the combination of many?
I love singing in a choir. There are certain harmonies you only get to experience within a choir, which makes a song more melodious. I have never performed a solo and will be doing so for the first time during our upcoming concert at St Monica School in Birkirkara. Singing in a choir means unity and harmony. There is no better feeling than sharing the stage with your musical family, which is what Voca Choir is to me.
The repertoire of Voca Choir ranges from spiritual and worship music to folk, musicals and also contemporary pop, and its forte is Gospel music. But what is your own favourite genre… and what do you absolutely detest?
I enjoy all kinds of music and listen to different genres depending on my mood. However, if I were to pick, my favourite would be contemporary pop, while I detest techno.
In life, you admire your parents mostly. And in the music scene?
Locally, I admire my brother Peter Grech from Pete and Paps, who is self-taught. From the international music scene, I would have to pick Celine Dion. She brings a different kind of electricity to the stage. Her voice and the lyrics are a booster to whatever kind of mood you are in. I would love to one day have the opportunity to see her perform live.
You’re part of an unusually big family of seven, apart from having five nieces and nephews. Is music in the Grech genes and racing through their blood, or are you the exception?
All the Grech family loves to sing… in the shower! In fact, my father is proud to be crowned the ‘stunat perfett’ of our family. There are only a few who were blessed with this talent from both sides of the family, but we hope it will be passed onto our nieces and nephews.
When did your love for music start and when did you realise you had a good voice?
I always enjoyed music and my parents always supported me. The first time I formed part of a choir was at the age of eight with Pepprin Children’s Choir at St Patrick’s Church. At 12, I was encouraged to join an adult choir and now I form a very active part of Voca Choir. At school, I took part in a number of productions. Apart from Voices, I have also taken part in the Pope Youth Choir when Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict visited Malta.
Who would you like to do a duet with?
I dream of performing a duet with Adele.
Do you have a favourite song and will you never tire of it?
I love Knock Knock by Lenka – an upbeat song that always manages to put a smile on my face; and Angel by Sarah McLachlan always helps me clear my head no matter what circumstance I am in.
Voca Choir has joined forces with MSV Life for a concert on April 29 at St Monica School Theatre in Birkirkara in aid of Dr Klown. Tickets are available on www.ooii.com.mt
SnapShot - Passing on the good
Klara Grech, 23, forms part of the Voca Choir and is about to use her talent to raise funds for charity. She believes she was just fortunate to be born in better circumstances than others, and not deserving such luck, she wants to do her utmost to help them better their own lives.
Voca Choir’s upcoming performance is in aid of Dr Klown. This brings in the charity element, which you claim is a big part of your life. How and why?
I was always exposed to voluntary work through my parents’ involvement with the Girl Guide Movement, missionary work in Peru, the Hospice In-patient Unit and Dr Klown, which my father forms part of. From a young age, I formed part of youth groups. I have participated in three editions of Voices, which although a huge commitment is worth every minute, and along with a group of my friends, we organised a number of Christmas parties for children in orphanages. I believe I was just lucky to be born in better circumstances than others, and not meriting such luck, I feel I must do my utmost to help others less fortunate to better their own lives. My parents’ guiding principle is to live, love, laugh and leave a legacy. This is their legacy… I will continue building on it.
Why do you feel Dr Klown is such an important initiative?
Happiness is not just about money and comfort. Feeling cared for is also an important aspect and being able to care adds a deeper significance to life. This is one thing Dr Klown definitely offers to that sick child in hospital. There is no better medicine than laughter; the ability to get a child to dream and forget the trauma of hospitalisation. All money raised from the Voca Choir concert on April 29 is going directly to Dr Klown to help continue the mission. The €10 spent on the ticket is not for the Klown doctors to benefit from, but to continue their training and development to be able to deliver love and laughter to children in hospital to help them forget their fear and pain.
Your motto is paying it forward. Have you experienced this in life, whereby people who have benefited from someone’s kind act have paid it forward to the next person in need? Do you think this happens much and how would you describe the world we live in, in terms of good and evil?
Paying it forward does not mean that you have to perform a huge act of charity. That simple smile at the next person you meet may make a huge difference in their life; it may be the only smile they receive. If that smile keeps on going, it creates a ripple effect. I have had my ups and downs like everyone else, and that smile and word of encouragement helped me to move on. I will now pass it on to someone else. Unfortunately, today, only evil is publicised and there is not much focus on the good things being done in our world, especially by young people like myself. Granted, there is crime and terrorism… But life is not just about that and not all people are driven to do harm. We just need to be reminded about this constantly and focus on what is good. Most of my friends share the same values and are doing similar acts of kindness, paying forward what they have received.
How does the stark numbers aspect of your job as an accountant marry with your passion for singing and your love for nail art and painting nails? What do these varied interests say about your character?
Accountants are not just numbers oriented. Variety is the spice of life – accountancy is my profession, but it is not what makes me who I am. My love for singing, nail art and recently running [I just participated in my first Half Marathon] help me improve my creativity and teach me how to be more patient. They fill my busy daily schedule and make this journey of life more interesting.
You sing in a choir, but would you prefer to do it alone, and hear your own voice rather than the combination of many?
I love singing in a choir. There are certain harmonies you only get to experience within a choir, which makes a song more melodious. I have never performed a solo and will be doing so for the first time during our upcoming concert at St Monica School in Birkirkara. Singing in a choir means unity and harmony. There is no better feeling than sharing the stage with your musical family, which is what Voca Choir is to me.
The repertoire of Voca Choir ranges from spiritual and worship music to folk, musicals and also contemporary pop, and its forte is Gospel music. But what is your own favourite genre… and what do you absolutely detest?
I enjoy all kinds of music and listen to different genres depending on my mood. However, if I were to pick, my favourite would be contemporary pop, while I detest techno.
In life, you admire your parents mostly. And in the music scene?
Locally, I admire my brother Peter Grech from Pete and Paps, who is self-taught. From the international music scene, I would have to pick Celine Dion. She brings a different kind of electricity to the stage. Her voice and the lyrics are a booster to whatever kind of mood you are in. I would love to one day have the opportunity to see her perform live.
You’re part of an unusually big family of seven, apart from having five nieces and nephews. Is music in the Grech genes and racing through their blood, or are you the exception?
All the Grech family loves to sing… in the shower! In fact, my father is proud to be crowned the ‘stunat perfett’ of our family. There are only a few who were blessed with this talent from both sides of the family, but we hope it will be passed onto our nieces and nephews.
When did your love for music start and when did you realise you had a good voice?
I always enjoyed music and my parents always supported me. The first time I formed part of a choir was at the age of eight with Pepprin Children’s Choir at St Patrick’s Church. At 12, I was encouraged to join an adult choir and now I form a very active part of Voca Choir. At school, I took part in a number of productions. Apart from Voices, I have also taken part in the Pope Youth Choir when Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict visited Malta.
Who would you like to do a duet with?
I dream of performing a duet with Adele.
Do you have a favourite song and will you never tire of it?
I love Knock Knock by Lenka – an upbeat song that always manages to put a smile on my face; and Angel by Sarah McLachlan always helps me clear my head no matter what circumstance I am in.
Voca Choir has joined forces with MSV Life for a concert on April 29 at St Monica School Theatre in Birkirkara in aid of Dr Klown. Tickets are available on www.ooii.com.mt
Hadd Ghalik Promotion
17th April 2016
Tune in to TVM today at 12:10pm to watch Hadd Ghalik. 3 of our members will be participating and we will all be there promoting The MSV Life Voca Choir in Concert!