Tell me why, children sing

In my dream, children sing
A song of love for every boy and girl
The sky is blue and fields are green
And laughter is the language of the world
Then I wake and all I see
Is a world full of people in need.
(Declan Galbraith: Tell Me Why)

It is no mere coincidence that this year Voices have chosen the song by Declan Galbraith as the theme for their production. This was his first single released when he was still 10 years old. On its release date, December 9, 2002, the largest choir in history, drawn from different parts of the UK and Ireland, joined him to sing Tell Me Why for a Guinness World Record. Young Voices in Concert had organised the event and funds collected were donated to the Sargent Cancer Care for Children.

Voices in Malta took off 11 years earlier. I shall always cherish the memory of their first concert in 1991 and since then have always made it a point to attend their biennial performances. I intend to keep following Voices along their incredible journey for talent promotion, for instilling a sense of peace and happiness in the audience, for doing something about worthy causes, for genuinely caring about others.

That is why their product remains as young as when it took off at St Aloysius College. Since then €1 million have been collected and donated to deserving causes. The organisers make it a point to have sponsors cover the costs of staging the events so that all the money paid by the audience and whatever is collected from sales of CDs, DVDs and other merchandising is not only money well spent because you go back home the richer for the experience but also satisfied that every cent poured in is making its way to causes that call for our support.

Voices is mostly the brainchild of Louis Naudi, who regrettably, passed away four years ago. Yet, his family is keeping his spirit alive by awarding a bursary to a deserving member of the choir according to clear selection criteria.

When Louis set about Voices, he asked Tony Vella to direct the choir. This year, I was more than pleased to see Tony take up centre stage again in at least three different roles - directing, playing the guitar and singing (should I add leading many of the choristers in a train-like movement at the end of the concert!?).

My gratitude and appreciation also extend to the other able choir directors, Martina Caruana, Joseph Victor Cachia and Andrew M. Attard. I followed this year's edition of Voices last Thursday. On the night it was young and talented Sarah Pace who interpreted the theme song Tell Me Why.

Tell me why we don't give a helping hand when so many need somebody. Tell me why war. Why degradation of the environment? Tell me why we often just stand and stare. It is a powerful message from a child to all those who are no longer so young.

Voices are not merely stating that they care and leaving it at that. Voices are bridging part of the gap between harsh reality and what should be each and every one's dream (and struggle) for a better world.

A total of 235 choir members from different walks of life came together for an event that offers a message in its own right. Add to those the band members, the enthusiastic and wonderful soloists, persons on the organising committee, those working back-stage, others doing front of house, those, doing lights, audio, video clips, and countless others who work tirelessly together for months on end to ensure success on the nights. As one incredible team.

Declan Galbraith recently declared that he likes to record songs that are meaningful to him and the audience. His first single certainly makes the point.

Thank you, Voices, for making it happen, and I look forward to your next event in 2010.