On 4 December, 2010, Claire McCartin, as part of a selected few from the choir ‘Voices’, participated in the eighteenth edition of Concerto di Natale, the traditional television appointment on RAIDUE broadcast on the night of December 24th, providing a musical backdrop on Christmas Eve for all Italians. ‘Voices’ backed international renowned artists like:

Irene Grandi, the Italian singer-songwriter; Noa, the marvellous Israeli voice fighting for peace in the Middle East; Antonella Ruggiero, the unrivalled historical voice of Matia Bazar; Lighea, singer-actress, passionate about social issues; Maria Abela, Maltese soprano of ever-increasing popularity; the duo Musica Nuda; the talented Sonhora; Cesaria Evora from Cape Verde, the worldwide queen of “Morna”, a genre that merges Brazilian rhythm with the aching melancholy of Portuguese Fado; the Italian soprano Katia Ricciarelli. Other artists included in the event were Gigi D’Alessio, the icon of music from Naples; Les Pretres, a new group of priests ranking first amongst the top 50 in the music scene in France; the tenor Maurizio Tassani, who first started out in a TV programme, Italia’s got talent; the New York State Gospel Choir, and the fabulous Al Jarreau, an American music legend, the only person to have ever won three Grammy Awards in three different genres – pop, jazz and rhythm and blues.

All sang live accompanied by the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Renato Serio, with the show being presented for the fourth successive year by Mara Venier.
The concert was produced by Prime Time Promotions to support the campaign of solidarity “HAITI CHIAMA” promoted by the Don Bosco Foundation Worldwide, a Salesian organisation committed to raising funds to support Salesian missions around the world.

Claire McCartin had the honour to perform as part of a 100-strong choir from Malta in The Beatles Philharmonic Tribute held at the Royal Albert Hall, London on 28 October, 2010.

The world renowned Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, under the direction of conductor Alan Chircop, took the audience down memory lane with a music spectacular of classical interpretations of Beatles’ songs. This musical marriage combined dramatic orchestral arrangements imaginatively fused together with rock and pop. Special guest stars included Dame Shirley Bassey, Tony Christie, Darius Campbell, Lenny Zakatek and the UK’s Soul Queen Beverley Knight.

The event was hosted by Fayon Cottrell and was supporting the Noah’s Ark Appeal, the Malta Community Chest Fund and Nordoff Robbins amongst others.

Claire McCartin participated once again in the much-awaited bi-annual event – VOICES – this year’s theme being LISTEN TO THE MUSIC. Besides being a choir member, Claire was also chosen as the soloist of Elton John’s Philadelphia Freedom.

Ten concerts were held between 6–10 and 13–17 October, 2010 at the Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta. This year, the repertoire included such songs as Volare, Philadelphia Freedom, Hallelujah, The Show Must Go On, Nessun Dorma and Viva La Vida, plus a few surprises.

Everyone involved in VOICES, from the 200-strong choir and the live band to the Committee, choir directors and backstage and Front-of-House crews, offers their time on a voluntary basis, and all ticket sales from the VOICES concerts go directly to charity. Since Voices began in 1991, funds totalling almost €1.2 million have been distributed. See www.voices.org.mt

On 20 February 2010, Claire participated in the finals of the GO Malta EuroSong Festival leading up to the Eurovision Song Contest to be held in Norway in May. Out of 122 contestants, Claire made it through to the final 20 with the song ‘Ole Satchmo Blues’, composed by herself and written in collaboration with Erin Stewart Tanti. It tells the story of a deprived young singer on the streets of New Orleans, struggling against all odds and finding inspiration in the music of the legendary Louis Armstrong.

Printed in The Malta Independent on Sunday dated 30.08.2009:

Malta’s up and coming jazz and blues singer CLAIRE GALEA, has just returned from a trip other aspiring artists can only dream about. Her strength, timbre and versatility turned the head of her London-based tutor Joshua Alamu, who noticed that she had what it takes and suggested that Claire travel to the City of Angels and superstars, Los Angeles, to attend the world renowned Seth Riggs’ Summer Vocal Program, both as an artist and as a teacher in training.
Seth Riggs, American vocal coach to the Stars, founded the Speech Level Singing technique. SLS is based on the concept of singing in the same comfortable manner as you speak. It allows a singer to sing through their entire range and through bridges with the same connected, even, strong, flexible sound at any pitch and volume, and in any style without strain or superfluous effort. Among Seth’s pupils are over 120 Grammy award winners including Natalie Cole, Barbra Streisand, Luther Vandross, Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson.

Although a program of such high calibre and prestige could make anyone feel a little daunted, Claire’s previous experiences in performing before local and foreign audiences, including some very high profile guests, have made her a force to be reckoned with.

Claire was one out of only twelve who qualified to attend an intensive Advanced Jazz Singing Course by Michele Weir, whose vocal arrangements and orchestral works have been performed and recorded worldwide. Ms Weir was the Musical Supervisor for the DreamWorks film, “Prince of Egypt” and its foreign dubbings. She has been featured as guest vocalist at hundreds of Jazz festivals and as a pianist has toured extensively with a variety of artists. Under her tutelage Claire learned the intensity of the art of Jazz Singing and creative expression. She personally coached Claire in phrasing, ornamentation, vocal improvisation, style and communication of emotion.
Throughout the program, Claire also attended lectures by acclaimed artists, composers and professionals such as American songwriter, keyboardist and music producer Patrick Leonard, who is well-known for his long collaboration with Madonna.
In the near future, Claire will be one of only two Maltese qualified to teach the critically acclaimed Speech Level Singing technique. Her professionalism, dedication, attention to detail and people skills will undoubtedly shine through to those students lucky enough to get the chance to study with her.