On Thursday 2nd of September the Junior Choir and Orchestra took part during the feast’s novena dedicated to children.  For the first time the choir and orchestra performed the ‘Messa Simplex’ composed by Sr. Emma Camilleri together with other sacred hymns.  The choir and orchestra were prepared by Mr. Michael Bonanno and Ms. Susanne Bonello.

Under a starlit sky and with a gentle breeze blowing, the Choral and Orchestral Society Maria Bambina has once again presented its annual feast’s concert on Wedndesay 1^st of September in the main parish square of Mellieha.  The 35-strong orchestra together with the Society’s choir, under the baton of Mro. Kenneth Fenech, performed various pop and classical pieces including: Mamma Mia, Holding out for a Hero, William Tell Overture, Love Shine A Light, Dan Buster March, L-Ahhar Bidwi f’Wied il-Ghasel, the Beatles Medley, Gloria and pieces from the musical ‘L-Assedju’ composed by the local composer Mro. Carmel Muscat.  The young but promising Maltese tenor Cliff Zammit Stevens together with the orchestra performed ‘Funiculi Funicula’ and ‘Con Te Partiro’ whilst  soprano Susanne Bonello sang ‘Memory’ from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical ‘Cats’.  The orchestra presented ‘Sleeping Beauty’ and excerpts from the ‘Mask of Zorro’ and both pieces were sublimely accompanied by the ballet dancers Martina Zammit and Seamus Kelly Vella Aloisio who enchanted all those present with their light and expressive steps.

Every year the programme takes on a funny twist where a brief sketch combines music and acting to present a funny situation.  Gaetano Sultana together with John Cauchi, Josette Vella, Robert DeBono and Jean Pierre DeBono took part where Gaetano sang ‘Your Cheating Heart’.

The programme, presented by Annabelle Debono, concluded with the Choir and Orchestra hymn, the European Union’s hymn ‘Ode to Joy’ and the Maltese National Anthem.  This year’s artistic background, depicting a flourishing tree with a treble clef growing amongst its branches, was once again designed by the local artist Gilbert Fenech.  The Society’s President Mr.Joseph DeBono and Mellieha Mayor Mr.Robert Cutajar made their speeches with the latter presenting a cheque as part of an agreement reached by the local council and the Society.  The attending public, both local and foreign appreciated the great effort put into organising and holding such an event and this was witnessed in the numerous crowd that filled the square and its perimeter.

The Committee would like to thank the public, all its members, the volunteers and all those who contributed generously through donations.  This is encouraging for the Society to persist in its aim to instill in all an interest and passion for music and the arts.

The Junior Choir and Orchestra organised and had their annual musical concert for the third consectuive year on Sunday 1st August.  They were under the direction of Michael Bonanno and Susanne Bonello.  The concert included music by Carl Jenkins – Adiemus, Mozart’s – Voi Che Sapete from the Marriage of Figaro; Rossini’s William Tell; Verdi’s La Donna e Mobile from Rigoletto; a German Polka – Bohmischer Traum; traditional Maltese folk song il-Karozzin; Pop songs We are Family; the Lion Sleeps Tonight and the medley from the popular musical Beauty and the Beast.  During the concert, solos on the piano were also performed by students.

These students perform throughout the whole year including Mellieha Nights organised by the Local Council and during the Christmas festive season.  With these concerts the students are given a chance and an opportunity to gain experience in musical performance.  The students will be also prepared for their exams provided by the Associated Boards of the Royal School of Music after intensive training at our club.  The numerous audience which attended appreciated this concert and expressed their satisfaction in many ways.  This successful concert ended with speeches by the President of the Choral and Orchestral Society Maria Bambina Mr Joseph DeBono and Mayor Mr Robert Cutajar, after the presentations of the students’ certificates.

The Junior Choir and Orchestra will now be involved for the first time in the solemn mass dedicated to students at the Mellieha Parish Church on the 2nd September as part of Our Lady of Victories Festivities and during Mellieha Nights on the 12th September.

‘In-Nota’, September 2010 edition is now available for download – the printed version will be distributed for free to Mellieħa residents later this month.

Members of the Choral and Orchestral Society Maria Bambina and Simar Folk Group performed in Pozzallo (Italy) on the 1st May for Notti Blu. This was another successful experience abroad for our Society and members. Thanks to the Mellieha Local Council and all those involved who made this visit possible.