Schola Cantorum Jubilate was invited for the 11th Edition of the Gozo International Celebration organized by the Qala Parish Church, namely by the Archpriest Can. Dr. Joseph Zammit. The evening focusing on the theme ‘Abide with me' started at 6.30pm with an eager audience that filled St. Joseph Parish Church. Apart from Schola Cantorum Jubilate, the participants were: the University of Malta Junior College Orchestra, under the direction of Mro. Manoel Pirotta, the Għawdex Handbell Ringers, the Magnificat Choir and soloists: Ruth Portelli, Joseph Buttigieg and the Archpriest himself. During the same evening, the Horace Mercieca Award was launched and bestowed for the first time. It was conferred to Ruth Portelli who had made a name for herself as soloist and for the village of Qala. Schola Cantorum Jubilate performed a cappella: ‘Adoramus Te' (Palestrina), ‘Popule Meus' (Palestrina and Victoria), ‘Miserere' (Lotti), ‘Jesu Dulcis Memoria' (Portelli) and ‘Regina Coeli' (Bartolucci). During the same soiree, the choir performed as a premier a recent composition ‘Haec Dies' by Paul Portelli who was among the audience. During this piece, Antoine Theuma accompanied the choir on the organ. At the end of the programme, the choir joined the University of Malta Junior College Orchestra and interpreted ‘Jubilate Deo' by Mozart. The Schola Cantorum Jubilate's participation was highly appreciated by the present audience.
