St Monica Choir

Infobox Musical artist
Name = St Monica Choir


Img_capt = St Monica Choir Logo & Motto
Img_size =
Landscape =
Background =
Alias =
Origin = flagicon|Malta Mosta, Malta
Genre = Classical
Contemporary
Sacred
Years_active = 1964–present
Label =
Associated_acts =
URL = [http://www.stmonicachoir.com/ Official website]
Current_members = 60–65
Past_members =

History & Overview

Founded in 1964 by Sr Beniamina Portelli, the St Monica Choir is one of Malta's leading polyphonic choirs, respected by connoisseurs for its quality, standards and discipline with which it executes its productions. The choir’s repertoire varies from sacred to popular, early to contemporary.

For over 20 years, it has been collaborating with other entities and exchanging visits with foreign choirs and travelling to European countries. The choir has, amongst others, presented concerts at the Liverpool Philharmonic Theatre, the Vatican City, St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna, Esztergom Cathedral in Hungary and St Mary’s Cathedral in Edinburgh, as well as televised and radio recordings for renowned media stations such as the BBC and the German ARD 1. Amongst the choir’s participation with foreign choirs, one cannot but mention the Knox Academy Choir from Scotland and the Beethoven Society of Australia. With the latter, the St Monica Choir presented a memorable production of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony with Orkestra Nazzjonali under the baton of Dr Steve Watson at the Teatru Manoel in May 1999. The St Monica Choir has been commissioned to premiere local compositions, such as Stabat Mater by prolific Maltese composer Carmelo Pace together with Orkestra Nazzjonali (the national orchestra) and Mro Michael Laus. Early 2007 saw yet another collaboration come to fruition, this time together with Vocalise, when, for the first time in Malta, Johann Sebastian Bach’s Christmas Oratorio Parts I, II & III were performed at St John's Co-Cathedral under the direction of international conductor and musicologist Hans Jürgen Nagel.

In November 1999, the St Monica Choir became the first and only Maltese choir to win the prestigious Malta International Choir Festival. Delegated to represent Malta during the first edition of the choral Olympics held in Linz, Austria, the following year, the choir was awarded bronze [http://www.choirolympics.de/fileadmin/pdf_data/austria/linz/co2000_result.pdf ¹] from amongst over twenty participants in the mixed choirs’ category. September 2001 marked yet another milestone in the choir’s history when it launched its own compilation of varied musical compositions on cd entitled “Expressions”. This collection of musical gems was very well received by local critics and referred to as “a must have in any music lover’s collection.”

In 2002, the choir was invited to make a guest appearance during a choral festival at the Dorog House of Culture in Hungary. Two years later, the choir was once again invited to participate in the “XIII Festival de Musica en Navidad” organized by the Cultural Department of Madrid. The St Monica Choir, the only foreign choir invited to participate, held its concert at the Sagrada Familia church in Madrid. The evening turned out to be a success and was instantly acclaimed by the massive audience in attendance as an impeccable execution of choral music.

In 2004, to commemorate its 40th Anniversary since its foundation, the choir launched a comprehensive website on www.stmonicachoir.com and a documentary on DVD encompassing forty years of existence and achievements. That year’s annual concert, entitled The Circle of Life, was an unprecedented success by means of which the choir collected Lm4,000 which it donated to the abandoned children in the care of the Augustinian nuns in the Philippines. The choir’s own productions of its Easter and Christmas concerts, helped raise further funds for the missions. The latter concert brought to the fore the choir’s dynamic character and innovative way of presenting its productions as well as a confirmation of its high standard of choral singing. In 2006, the St Monica Choir was pleased to present a concert in Haddington, Scotland to help raise funds for the local church there.

Under the able direction of its founder, the sixty or so choristers strive to constantly improve what is already commendable, delving into new grounds, ventures and experiences. This compliments its characteristics of youth, discipline and excellence. The choir is an affiliated member of Förderverein Interkultur, organizers of the Choir Olympics and other Musica Mundi concerts worldwide.

Mission Statement

The St Monica Choir is a mixed choir committed
to constantly improve its quality of choral singing,
striving to excel through versatility and dynamism,
paying tribute to the grandeur of Music and
the Glory of God

r Beniamina Portelli - Founder & Director

Hailing from the city of Vittoriosa, Sr Beniamina, baptized Marion, is the eldest amongst 5 daughters and a son born to Carmelo and Ines nee’ Calleja. The Portelli family had to take refuge in Siggiewi during the ravaging years of World War II.

Sr Beniamina started her religious life with the Augustinian nuns at the tender age of sixteen years. The beginning of her musical studies goes back eleven years earlier, that is, when she was only five years old. Sr Beniamina pursued her studies with Sr Teresina Saliba and conducted her finals and LRSM under the guidance of Ms Bascetta.

Being a strong believer in the constant need to pursue educational activities, Sr Beniamina attended various courses both abroad and in Malta. Worth mentioning are: the Vatican City in connection with choral singing (1953); Derbyshire regarding professional music teaching (1964); Harrogate for choral direction (1983); the London Royal Schools of Music with Mr A Kelly (1985); Edinburgh and London with EPTA (1993) and an LLCM for choral direction for which she was awarded the Society of Music Medal, having been the first successful candidate worldwide.

In the early fifties, Sr Beniamina spent a year teaching music in Rome. On her return to Malta, she was immediately involved in music teaching. Being an enthusiastic and energetic person, she tried to broaden her students’ horizons by encouraging their involvement in a wider musical spectrum. She began to organize end-of-year concerts so that the students could experience different dimensions of music, such as dancing, choral singing and the setting up of an accordion band.

Thus, the St Monica Choir was born. Its survival is mainly due to the hard work and sheer dedication of Sr Beniamina who has stimulated its development. Through her own dynamism, the choir evolved and throughout its different phases of existence, has always claimed respect for its quality. The choir is, undoubtedly, Sr Beniamina’s greatest contribution to the local choral scene.

This has been recognized by institutions and authorities alike. In September 2000, the Mosta Local Council conferred upon Sr Beniamina “Gieh il-Mosta”, an honorary tribute, and in November of the same year, she was awarded the Society Music Medal by the Council of Arts, Manufacture and Commerce. On 13th December 2003 at the Grandmaster's Palace in Valletta, the then President of the Republic Profs. Guido de Marco, decorated Sr Beniamina with “Midalja ghall-Qadi tar-Repubblika”, a medal which is part of The National Order of Merit, in appreciation of her incessant efforts to promote music and the establishment of the renowned St Monica Choir.

Through her teaching, local music is indebted to Sr Beniamina for having had such students as composer Ray Agius, virtuoso pianists Mark Darnford and Stefan Cassar who also teaches music in France, John Attard who teaches music in Austria and Fr Aurelio Mule’ Stagno who obtained a distinction in all his examinations and is presently studying abroad. Others include Claire Massa, Simone Attard and Maureen Galea who graduated from the University of Malta. Claire is an established contralto solosit whilst Simone, a teacher at the Johann Strauss School of Music, is very much sought after both for choral teaching and direction as well as a musician. Maureen is pursuing her studies in the United Kingdom after having been awarded a scholarship in Florence.

Administration

Administrative committee is elected by the choristers for a two-year term, chaired by Sr Beniamina.

Voice-leaders sub-committee is headed by a coordinator acting in close liaison with the committee. Leaders from each voice-section are selected by Sr Beniamina in consultation with the coordinator and the committee president.

Awards & Achievements

The 11th Malta International Choir Festival - Gold Award

Vying for the coveted prize on 12th November 1999 along with the St Monica Choir during the final night held at the Mediterranean Conference Centre, were the Lakatamia Municipal Choir from Cyprus, the Decinsky Pevecky Sbor from the Czech Republic and the St Sthytian’s Male Voice Choir from England. The St Monica Choir was drawn by lot to sing last, which somewhat worried Sr Beniamina. Too early a warm-up and having to sit through and listen to the other competitors would definitely put extra tension and pressure on the choristers. However, once on stage, and with the opening lines of Magnus Dominus, everyone got a certain feeling that all the hard work put in might finally give the desired result. The excellent performance was not coincidental but was due to the hard work, dedication and sacrifices done by Sr Beniamina, the committee and all choristers. The choice of the repertoire involved a detailed analysis of past experiences and results previously obtained by the choir during such festivals. Keeping in mind that the adjudicating panel rates participants for the test piece carrying 25 points, another 50 points for general interpretation and 10 and 15 points for presentation and the choice of the repertoire respectively, possible compositions were short-listed. The selection proved to be a well-balanced repertoire, ensuring the desired high quality level and allowing for a varied interpretation. Above all, these were pieces that suited best the choir and which the choristers understood, enjoyed singing and found easy to communicate. Apart from Magnus Dominus by Benigno Zerafa and the test piece, Quam Dilecta Tabernacula Tua Domine by Carlo Diacono, the choir’s performance included Rhythm of Life from Sweet Charity, The Bare Necessities from motion picture The Jungle Book and negro spirituals Hush, Somebody’s Calling My Name and I Want Jesus. The adjudicating panel, made up of musical experts from Croatia, Italy and Germany, finally made known the results. Theirs was a unanimous decision that the St Monica Choir’s performance was the best for its interpretation of the test piece, choice of repertoire and general interpretation. The Czech choir was best in presentation. The St Monica Choir clinched the first prize and gold trophy, a great achievement attained in the local choral scene, the first time ever that a Maltese choir had won the prestigious Malta International Choir Festival.

Choir Olympics 2000 - Bronze

In Linz, Austria, the choir attended the official opening ceremony of the 1st Edition of the Choir Olympics at the multifunctional Design Center. The huge building was jam-packed and a hive of activity. However silence reigned during the wonderful performances of Janos Vajda’s Magnificat and Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana.During the Friendship Concert and the qualifying competition the choristers had the opportunity to meet choristers from Austria, Greece and Japan.When the big day arrived - the day the St Monica Choir had been practicing so hard for, everyone was very excited. The Choir had to sing early in the morning so, after a session of voice training and exercises, it was its turn to take the stage. There was nothing left but for everyone to concentrate and give their utmost. The Choir excelled in its performance and it received Bronze in its category which consisted of 25 choirs. The Choir had once more achieved successfully what it had set out to do.After all the final results had been announced, the choristers attended the Champions’ Concert in which the winning choir from each category took part. This turned out to be a mélange of musical genre, performed by the best choirs in the world. All excelled, and the audience was captivated by the sheer exalting performance. The closing ceremony had it all. The striking of the Olympic bell (representing peace and unity) the handing over of the Olympic flag to the next Olympiad’s host – South Korea – the parading of the participating nations’ flags and the performance of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony Ode to Joy brought the grand event to an end.

Expressions – The CD

Expressions is the choir's first CD. Long enjoyable hours were spent, recording at an excellent studio in quiet Mistra Bay. It was conceived during a committee meeting deciding which songs to include. It had to include a musical repertoire which identified the St Monica Choir; one of different styles and various moods. The selection has it all; fourteen songs with a bonus of two tracks recorded live during the Choir Olympics festival in Linz, Austria. The CD opens with Ghanjiet Maltin, a brilliant mixture of Maltese traditional songs, excellently arranged by Mario Attard, a chorister. Gen Verde's delicate Salve Regina is followed by Carmelo Pace's ode to the Maltese summer, Is-Sajf. Mozart's pious Ave Verum Corpus contrasts with a full range of dynamics in Italian Salad, the latter highlights the choir's technical abilities. It also features Jean Paul Attard as the soloist. A Disney song, The Bare Necessities from The Jungle Book follows. A fantastic rendition of the Negro Spiritual, Hush, Somebody is Calling My Name is trailed by the majestic Magnus Dominus. Next, the exquisite Irish Blessing immerses the listener in pure Gaelic warmth whilst I want Jesus brings back that passionate world of Negro Spirituals. Musical rhythms go wild with Rhythm of Life from Broadway’s musical Sweet Charity which is followed by a nostalgic Can't Help Falling in Love. Before hearing John Rutter’s devout Pie Jesu, with soloist Loranne De Bono and the male sections of the choir, This is Our Song is a St Monica Choir original production, all to be discovered! The live versions of The Bare Necessities and Rhythm of Life sum up an hour of marvellous choral music!Musical instruments, four different voices and sixty individuals blend perfectly in this production which has been described as “ a must have in any music enthusiast’s collection” by one critic.

References

¹ [http://www.choirolympics.de/fileadmin/pdf_data/austria/linz/co2000_result.pdf 2000 Choir Olympics Results]

External Links

[http://www.stmonicachoir.com/ Official website]
[http://www.musica-mundi.com/interkultur-foundation.html Interkultur Foundation]
[http://www.apsbank.com.mt/page.asp?n=home APS Bank]