The Jubilate Deo Choir, under the direction of Christopher Muscat, was recently awarded two silver medal diplomas at the International Festival and Competition of Sacred Music held in Rome between July 3 and 6.

The choir participated in the following categories: S1 (sacred music, a cappella, with compulsory piece) and SC (contemporary sacred music), singing works by Colin Mawby, Josquin des Prez, Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, John Stainer, John Tavener, Maurice Durufle and the choir’s music director Muscat.

The choir also sang Aurelio Porfiri’s Missa Romana at the inaugural Mass of the festival at the Basilica di San Crisogono in Trastevere, Rome.

This was followed by another concert held two days later at the Church of San Francesco a Ripa.

The festival saw 22 choirs from Australia, China, Russia, Norway, Ukraine, Israel, South Africa, Botswana, Romania, the Czech Republic and Malta.

During its stay in Rome, the choir also sang during a High Mass at St Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican.

The choir was accompanied on the organ by the basilica’s organist Gianluca Libertucci.

The choir’s repertoire for this liturgical service included the hymn Nadurawk ja Ħobż tas-Sema, which was sung both in Italian and in Maltese.