The St Paul Choral Society is one of Malta’s leading polyphonic choirs. Its repertoire ranges from the 16th century to the present day. Founded in 1998, it has more than sixty members from all walks of life who meet every week for rehearsals and performances. Since its inception it has been under the musical direction of Dr Hugo Agius Muscat.
The choir’s reputation grew quickly after successful concerts at St Paul’s Pro-Cathedral, Mdina Cathedral and St John’s Co-Cathedral. The major works it has presented include Vierne’s Messe Solennelle, Stainer’s The Crucifixion, the Requiem Masses by Fauré, Michael Haydn and Mozart, the oratorio San Gregorio Magno by Carmelo Scerri, the Litaniæ Lauretanæ Beatæ Mariæ Virginis and Missa Brevis in C major by Mozart, Handel’s Chandos Anthem No. 9, the Malta première of Karl Jenkins’ Te Deum, Gounod’s Messe Solennelle de Sainte-Cécile, Vivaldi’s Gloria, and Beethoven’s Mass in C major, as well as a very large number of small-scale works.
To date it has given more than 300 performances in Malta and abroad. It is primarily a concert choir, but also has an extensive liturgical repertoire and regularly supports major liturgical events at St Paul’s Pro-Cathedral and other churches. In Advent every year since its inception, the SPCS has led the singing in the traditional Anglican Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at St Paul’s Pro-Cathedral and Holy Trinity Church in Sliema.
In 2008, as part of its tenth anniversary celebrations, it issued a CD of Christmas carols with the name O Ġesù, Ħelwa Tarbija, which has been highly successful. Proceeds from the sales of this CD have gone towards local charities, including the St Paul’s Pro-Cathedral Organ Appeal.
In 2009 the SPCS took part in the Malta International Choir Festival and Competition, organised by the Interkultur Foundation. It won a Silver Diploma (Level V): the first Maltese choir to attain this level since Interkultur established its choir ranking system.
The SPCS has held very successful tours in London (2011), Austria (2013), Paris (2015), Spain (2017), Germany, Luxembourg and France (2019), and Rome (2023), singing in prestigious venues including St Paul’s Cathedral (London), Westminster Cathedral (London), St Stephen’s Cathedral (Vienna), the Votivkirche (Vienna), the Kollegienkirche (Salzburg), St James’ Cathedral (Innsbruck), the Madeleine (Paris), St Sulpice (Paris), the Cathedral of Notre Dame (Paris), Burgos Cathedral, León Cathedral, the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, Metz Cathedral, Luxembourg Cathedral, St Peter’s Basilica (Vatican), and the Basilicas of the Sacred Heart, St Sabina and St Cecilia (Rome).
The SPCS is a formally established association with cultural and philanthropic aims. It is a registered voluntary organisation (VO/0137); its director and members do not receive remuneration for their services. Web presence: www.fb.com/StPaulChoralSociety