In early 1990, Mro Colin Attard was invited to put on two events in relation to the Qala Parish’s celebrations marking the centenary of the arrival of the statue of St Joseph. The first was a Musico-Literary Evening scheduled for April 27th , while the second was the oratorio “Guzeppi ta’ Nazzaret” (which the maestro was also commissioned to compose) scheduled for July 6th.
It was the maestro’s practice of forming ‘ad hoc’ choral groups for his various musical events during the 80s, with various choristers hailing from all over Gozo and having different cultural backgrounds invited to join from time to time. However, in view of the above-mentioned two high profile events, it was felt appropriate that the choral group involved be an official one rather than an anonymous one. Hence, it was decided to formalize and ‘christen’ the choral group singing under Maestro Attard. The chosen name was ‘Gaulitanus’, meaning ‘of Gozo’. It was, indeed, the island’s first ‘independent’ choir, not affiliated to any political association, parish, band club, theatre or any other affiliated body. What followed is history!
Whereas very few choir members who formed part of the choir’s first line-up/s in 1990 are still active within the choir’s ranks, yet, ever since, the Gaulitanus Choir has adhered to its raison d’etre, namely the organisation and participation in concerts and similar events, whilst also retaining its secular orientation.
Today, April 27th, 2020, marks 30 th anniversary of the Gaulitanus Choir’s first official appearance. Proudly we look back on the choir’s achievements throughout the past three decades, and at the same time very enthusiastically look forward to many more years of music-making.
AD MULTOS ANNOS GAULITANUS!
Choir’s First Line-up (as per photo):
Front Row (l to r):
Roberta Hili, Miriam Cauchi, Lelina Attard, Josianne Hili, Josephine Galea, Michelle Zammit, Deborah Sacco, Lorriane Caruana, Joany Farrugia, Fabienne Grech
Second Row (l to r):
Josephine Cassar, Maria Theuma, Evelyn Grech, Francine Zammit,Jacque Vassallo, Marie Louise Attard, Adelina Attard, Sandra Cassar, Marvic Bajada, Austin Camilleri
Third Row (l to r):
Francis Galea, Carmel Grech, Frankie Bajada, Can Joseph Borg, Colin Apap, Paul Cini, Joe Apap, John Scerri, Alfred Vella
Back Row (l to r):
George Caruana, Emanuel Bonnici, Anthony Scicluna, Joe Cremona
Photos credit: Qala Parish & Lehen il-Qala (May 1990)
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