"Salut tout le monde! At least I remember some words in French! That’s what crossed my mind on first stepping on French grounds once more. Truchtersheim, Bergheim and Strasbourg are surely fresh memories in mind when I look back at the past few weeks… First of all these names mean a list of new friends and experiences I’ll never forget! Two events in particular; Chorus Urbanus concerts and Euroscola at the European Parliament.

It was my first time travelling on a choir tour and surely a one which I’ll seek to repeat in the future. Hard work meaning great results! Mro. Johnny Galea could not have been a better director. Combined with his lovely character and brilliant choral direction we made our utmost to entertain our audiences. Still imprinted in mind are those happy faces of the French people when we sang “Les Anges Dans Nos Campagnes” and the famous “Stille Nacht”. The loud cheers of the audiences clapping to the melodious “Jingle Bells” with their eagerness for us to continue singing made our tour even more special…

Yet, the centre of our visit in Alsace was surely our participation in the Euroscuola event representing Malta and Gozo at the European Parliament. Although this was not my first time in this European institution, I’ll not be mistaken if I admit that this visit was even more interesting. My chance to sit at the tribunal of the chamber of the European Parliament was an experience which shall serve me for my future studies. I never imagined that I’ll have the chance to sit instead of presidential authorities and have a chance to act as one of them. “We need to enhance our European education” was the cry of most of the European students participating in this event. Portuguese, Finnish, Germans, French… are a few nationalities which we made contact with. When confronting people like these, I started to put my studies at university in place agreeing and disagreeing on certain issues from a Maltese point-of-view. For the first time I realised how hard it is for the 25 EU countries’ representatives to voice their different stands and finally arrive at solutions enhancing the betterment of all the countries.

 All in all this tour served both an educational and entertaining holiday which I’m very glad I took part in. Regards go to the choir’s director and the Chorus Urbanus committee who work so hard to keep the established name of our choir at its prestigious position. Thanks to our hosts in both Bergheim and Truchtersheim for giving us a warm stay and last but surely not least a big thanks goes to my fellow friends who made this holiday such a remarkable experience!"

Charlene Debrincat

"Our tour in Alsace was a particularly unique experience. Over there we were hosted by local families and this offered us the opportunity to integrate ourselves with cultures different from ours. We were heartily welcomed and our concerts were deeply appreciated by all those who attended to our concerts. We had the unique opportunity to visit the building of the EU Parliament in Strasbourg where we participated in workshops which discussed how the European Educational System can be enhanced.

However the climax of all our activities in Alsace was the concert in Strasbourg Cathedral. It was a highly emotional experience, especially when singing Gloria de Noel with the other choirs together.

After this experience in Alsace we maintained our contact with our host families and with the new friends we made over there. I hope we will have another similar occasion wherein we will meet and sing with other choirs since one can learn a lot from these encounters. I wish to thank the management of my choir that worked so hard for the huge success of this tour. "

Josette Bajada

"I am at a loss for the proper words to express my emotions during the magnificent day spent at this top European Institution where Malta shares an equal voice with the other member states. And truly we did share our voices! The Chorus Urbanus was the cultural ambassador of Maltese choral life and together with our European counterparts we shared the common objective of diffusing the diversity within the
European unity. As the speaker on behalf of the Maltese choir, I felt very proud when I gave the official address from the podium of the 'Hemicycle', flanked by flag-bearer Tomas Bajada. It was a truly imposing ambience! The members coming from all the European choirs congregating in the Alsace region for the Strasbourg events were was spread out all around the parliament without any national barriers or identity. The building itself with its impressive floodlighting created an aura of dignity and I must say that I felt rather excited during my address. Malta's name  resonated all around the hemicycle…gosh what a joy to deliver Malta's name and cultural achievements to Europe!
 
This event will go down in the Choir's history as a truly unique achievement and as an international recognition of the reputation of Chorus Urbanus. This tour has helped us in no small way in realizing the high artistic standards that our conductor strives continually to achieve from us. The close-knit group gave excellent renditions throughout the engagements but speaking subjectively,  the highlight of this tour was the day when we sang a carol in Maltese and the singing of the European anthem (Beethoven's Ode to Joy) by the 25 choirs en-masse. Sincèrement un événement exceptionnel! "

Hilda Grima

" Going to Alsace was my first experience with the choir abroad and I must say it was exceptional. Alsace is a region very rich in culture and I brought into practice what I learned for five years at school. Knowing the French language gave me an advantage and, also, the opportunity to be a sort of translator. Everybody's effort could be seen during our concerts and this gave everybody internal satisfaction.

What will remain printed in my memory the most is the grand concert Les Noelies at the Strasbourg Cathedral, since I never thought that such a large amount of people could possibly be brought together to sing all in one voice. In my opinion, this once-in-a-lifetime experience has shown that Christmas time and most of all Christmas carols, really do unite the world as one big family. "

Christine Camilleri

" Once again, my daughter Analise and I had the privilege of forming part of the Chorus Urbanus group for another choral tour. Personally, this tour in Alsace was a particularly unique experience from all aspects. The fact that we spent some days living with local families helped us learn and appreciate their way of living. The concerts that we gave were warmly received and acknowledged by the large audiences present and this gave us a lot of satisfaction. During the concerts I was very pleased seeing Mro. John Galea with such an exuberant smile that conveyed his satisfaction for our excellent performance. At least the effort by each member of the Choir had been rewarded.

I felt particularly very proud in the EU Parliament where we participated in various workshops with some members of the Choir conducting themselves the discussions! Then there was the grand concert in Strasbourg Cathedral! I find it difficult to describe the emotions I felt there! I was then a member of an immense choir made up of almost 1000 choristers coming from all EU countries singing together. I felt very proud seeing the Maltese flag being waved within the Cathedral and along the streets of Strasbourg.

I cannot forget to mention the intense Christmas spirit that could be felt everywhere we went in Alsace. Decorations, traditional food and beautiful illuminations that fascinates you! For Analise and I this experience will remain impinged in our memory for ever. I would like to thank Mro. Galea and the choir committee members who worked so hard so that this choral tour could become a reality and be such a huge success, making such a good name for our Choir and for Malta. "

Mary & Analise Xerri

Our tour in Alsace opened with a meeting of all the 25 choirs at the building of the EU Parliament in Strasbourg. Here, each choir presented itself and sang a piece of music. Moreover all choristers present sang together the EU Hymn in the Hemicycle Hall of the Parliament. Our choir sang a traditional Maltese carol. I was chosen to carry the Maltese flag when our choir was presented. Being in the centre of the EU Parliament, singing in Maltese and bearing my country’s National Flag, the smallest EU country, was a unique experience for me.

Apart from this visit to Strasbourg, the Choir held two concerts in two villages, Bergheim and Truchtersheim. The inhabitants of these villages welcomed us very heartily. Both concerts were very well attended, especially the one performed in Truchtersheim where around 1000 people attended. Another particular experience was our accommodation with local families.

Our tour ended with the participation of Chorus Urbanus together with the other participating choirs in a grand concert at the Strasbourg Cathedral. This concert was broadcast in Eurovision throughout all EU countries.

This tour was an immensely memorable experience for me which made me proud of being a member of the Chorus Urbanus.

Thomas Bajada

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