We sang, we danced, we cheered and we cried together, overcome with emotions on the final night as we sang Waka Waka for the last time to an audience which was on its feet clapping, dancing and cheering with us. You could literally feel the love in the MCC theatre, and as Ronnie jokingly predicted, we brought the roof down.
The VOICES experience is like no other, and the bonds that are built and the friendships that are made are also, like no other. Perhaps it is because random people of all ages from all walks of life are thrown together for almost four months (and in the case of the band for almost seven months) to make beautiful music together for a good cause.
Perhaps it is those grueling last five technical rehearsals and the long hours spent at MCC in the run up to the opening night which break down any remaining barriers, as voice groups mingle much more than they did during the summer rehearsals, sharing their stories and sharing their food.
The talented band members and choir also get to know each other more, and we meet the stage, lighting, sound and vision crew for the first time, a group of people who will soon become very familiar faces to us during the shows.
Perhaps it is the stamina required to perform for three hours a night, for ten nights, or the way we bolster each other’s spirits as some of us fall sick, and tragically lose our voice mid-way through the concerts, with people frantically trading recipes and home made cures to battle the germs. Those who have to miss a concert because they are simply too sick to attend, often say that they sit home and cry. I don’t blame them, I would too.
We would have worked too hard, invested too much time, energy and emotion into the concerts and missing even just one is simply heartbreaking.
When it’s all over, we are like children who have had the time of their lives at a party and refuse to go home because we just don’t want it to end.
The “newbies”, in particular, find the first few days especially difficult, and feel lost and overwhelmed by a sense of anti-climax. “Is that it?” they ask us. “What, aren’t we going to keep meeting up any more?”
And, in the words of the book so lovingly put together by Zillah Bugeja and Adrian Mamo, they demand “We want more.” Facebook has certainly helped ease the sense of loss, and has almost served as a support group for those who want to keep on talking about VOICES, reliving each and every crazy, wonderful, amazing moment, from the mishaps back stage to the magic which was created onstage.
Moments like when the band outdid us all with their props of flippers and surfboards and towels during Surfin’ USA. Or when Jon Vella and his sound crew, who were right in our line of vision, would dance hilariously along with us to every number. Or when band leader Sandro Grech surprised us with the band’s rendition of the Maltese medley.
VOICES is ..Martina’s mischievous smiles and winks, Tony’s sense of comedy and Joseph’s loveable personality.
VOICES is Justin grooving to Philadelphia Freedom and Andrew swaying to the reggae rhythm of Three Little Birds.
VOICES is Ronnie and Josef’s unbeatable comic banter which we laughed at every single night despite knowing the punch lines by heart.
It might sound corny to outsiders that we keep referring to ourselves as one big family, but corny or not, it’s true. We feel protective of each other like brothers and sisters do, and when one of our soloists gets a standing ovation we swell with as much pride as if they were our own children.
As photos are traded and tagged on Facebook, we continue to remember the laughter and the happiness we felt, and the excitement and thrill of every concert as night after night we brought the audience to its feet.
After the opening night, word quickly spread that this was one of the best VOICES concerts ever, and even those who have been involved in VOICES since the beginning agreed with this assessment.
Something magical happened this year, and I’d like to think that it was the spirit of Louis Naudi – who had a dream of helping others through song – and it was his spirit which could be felt at the MCC even by those who had never met him.
See you in 2012!
Josanne Cassar
*tears streaming down my cheeks* … you hit all the nails on the head Josanne …. very well said xx
Very well said Jos, another fantastic experience, my 8th one , VOICES was ,is and will always be my 2nd family. I had the time of my life and will miss you all. AND thanks again Louis xx
Well Said Jos. Just to add one small note – I would personally like to thank all the rest of the Committee, including yourself, because without the tireless input of all – Voices 2010 would have never happened !!!!!
William
thanks everyone and thanks Will..I feel the same way about the rest of you…you are a fantastic team to work with.
Perhaps the word ‘committee’ is a bit vague: the fact is we all have very specific roles so I thought I would describe what the jobs involve, here goes:
William – finance, keeping us on budget and ensuring we cover our expenses through sponsors (a major headache believe me)
Nello – the one who takes care of all the thousand little details to make sure everything that needs to be done is done on time..he is a tireless and extremely meticulous organizer who steers the committee with incredible efficiency
Adrian – our creative genius who puts the concept of the show together, and always comes out with wonderful innovative ideas such as the book this year
Flossie- does administrative work and takes care of a lot of the running around, the t-shirts and anything else required. but she is also the voice of Louis who keeps us all grounded
Vanya – the link with the choir, band, and committee who daily answers queries from over 200 people and makes sure everyone is kept informed of what is happening
Anita – takes care of the very crucial aspect of sponsorships, approaching new and old sponsors and is involved in the delicate negotiations which need to be carried out with ever single company.
I hope I have done justice to all your roles in my few lines…:)
hmmm…I think it’s time for another meeting, x’tahseb nello
And Josanne – our super PR person, who takes care of all the tiny details making sure Voices reaches all the corners of the media at the right time. Well the result shows !!!
Josanne, you summed up my feelings exactly! I was wondering whether these feelings I have were unnatural but now I know you all feel this way. I have a sense of loss and sadness but am extremely happy to have taken part! Hope to meet some of my new friends along the way and send my love to ALL OF YOU XXXXX
very well said jOS!! MA YOU BROUGHT TEARS TO MY EYES!! i miss everything about VOICES….the symptoms are pretty tough..no doctor can cure except if we all meet again!!
Thank you all for everything and for giving me this amazing experience. xxx
Well said Josanne. Thank you to everyone who made all this possible,for all your hard work, it is an experience I shall never, ever forget. A BIG “THANK YOU” to You ALL.x x x
Indeed… a MASSIVE thank you to the hard-working Voices committee and each & every person involved throughout. I have to say a special thank you to you, Josanne. Since you have taken over the PR of Voices in last year’s edition, marketing has significantly improved & this has reflected in the sold out concerts… well done & thank you
The feeling of emptiness after the concerts are over does not get any easier as the years go by (my 5th Voices already!!!). It is only soothed by the party which is thrown a few months after Voices, where we give out the funds to the beneficiaries… this makes ALL our hard work, sickness & efforts worthwhile
you really captured everything in this article Josanne.WELL SAID!!
Voices is an awesome experience.You have to live it to truly appreciate it.
A big thanks to EVERYONE involved!…………..Looking forward to hopefully re-live it again
You have just managed to make me cry! Well done Josanne and thank you, thank you for expressing all that I am and have been feeling and really hope to be there with you all again in 2012 – Love to all xxx
You couldn’t have worded better jos. I just can’t remove all these flashbacks, which daily come to me whilst listening to the songs of this years repertoire. Thankyou VOICES for making a dream come true & for granting me such a wonderful experience both musically and socially…as it really is one big family & i’m PROUD to be part of it!! xxx thank you!!
Thank you Josanne for this wonderful piece. It really sums up what Voices is all about. Still it is hard to fathom unless you have experienced it first hand. It’s difficult to explain but you have done justice to our feelings. I miss you all!!! Justine xxxxxxx
Thanks to all of YOU…am lost for words
)
Speechless Jo!! You really said it all… Well done to my Voices buddy. She really does deserve all the praise that’s been showered on her.. She’s meticulous in everything she does. Does it all to perfection .. and more! Her role should have ended in the last week of Voices with the last bout of advertising and yet her PR brain is still rolling, planning out the next one!!! Prosit Jo, I said it two years ago and I’ll say it again. Your contribution to the Voices success is tremendous!!! Anita xxx
You gave me goose pimples Jo and made me relive some fantastic moments especially the final Waka Waka!!!! Miss it all so much but that’s what makes it so special. If we had it every day it would loose the lustre.
Thank you everyone so very much for making it happen.
Beautiful Noise
We studied hard
For weeks on end
To train our voice
And be the best
To sing the songs
With all the band
Directors fixed
The Songs to sing
Long trough the night
They labored on
To find the tunes
And make them work
And so we sang
On stage well lit
In colored shirts
We looked so good!
Our best we gave
To great applause
Sopranos pitch
And with such ease
Up up above
The notes go high
With voice so sweet
Like angel fly
And basses dip
The deeper notes
They ground us down
Their voice so low
From deep within
Like a trombone
The alto girls
And tenors boys
They balance out
The high the low
To join the voices
Fills the gap
To be a part
Although so small
Of many hearts
Who gave their all
Oh how exiting
It all was
And I’ll be there
In years to come
If God still gives me
Strength I need
To once again
Create a beautiful noise
To all of you Voices
Doris
Dear Josianne,you made me relive those beautifull moments with you all at rehearsals and on stage.I am missing the voices experience even though it was hard and hectic for me but it was so wonderfull. I wish to be there again in 2012.Miss you all,
Carmen Fenech
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