EnKor's debut

Newly-Formed EnKor, a 30-strong choir, will make its debut on Friday at 7.30 p.m. at St Paul's Anglican Cathedral, Valletta.

Dutch emigrée Johanna van Lent-Singels, a music graduate who spent 28 years directing choirs in the Netherlands, set up EnKor, which specialises in Gospel music, last November.

Ms van Lent told The Sunday Times last week she decided to form the choir after she saw and heard so many talented local people. "I noticed there was a talent within this group to perform gospel," she added.

She started training them from scratch, teaching people voice and breath control, refinement in dynamics and expression.

Everyone practises hard, even at home with cassettes, and the choir works as a team. The choir is divided into four sections, each with a section leader, who sometimes assist during rehearsals.

The choir's accompanist is Nathalie Camilleri, and its band is made up of base guitarist Jonathan Orlando, electric guitarist Raymond Scicluna, and drummer Michael Mason. They are just as committed to the choir as the singers.

EnKor has already attracted attention. Well-known music critic Martina Caruana came up with the choir's name. Aldo Polidano has created the choir's logo.

Entrance to next Friday's performance is free but a collection will be made for the Maltese Red Cross in aid of Iraqi children.

Enkor's next performance will be a full gospel Mass on May 18 at Jesus of Nazareth parish church, Sliema.

For more information contact: Claire Galea on tel: 9926-2511, Martin Chetcuti (9982-8425), Sean-Paul Attard (9946-5107), or Ms van Lent (2137-2147).