Hear† Bea†! a Christian Music Festival starts this Saturday 28th November to 10th December 2009

Be Inspired this Christmas…

Hear† Bea†! is Gibraltar's first Christian music festival. It will be an exciting event, comprising a diverse range of Christian music, from contemporary to classical, kindergarten to adult, rock concert to carol service.

Christian Mission Teams exists to promote the Christian faith in Gibraltar through mission and evangelism. In addition to organising the music festival, CMT helps young Christians to learn about the Gospel and undertake missionary work themselves through sponsorship. It promotes events in Gibraltar to bring the good news of Jesus to our community.

Chris Pitaluga is the chairman of Christian Mission Teams and he explained: "Hear† Bea†! is an endeavour several years in the making. We believe that people are inspired when they hear about Jesus in song and music. As Christians, we not only enjoy our music and the way God is praised by it, we also understand that others are inspired to come closer to Him when music is played in His name."

The main focus of this year's Festival will be Graham Kendrick, a renowned Christian singer/songwriter who will play a concert called DREAMING OF A HOLY NIGHT with his band on Saturday 5th December at the Queen's Cinema, backed by a local choir brought together especially for this occasion.

"We chose to hold our first Festival around Christmas-time because the opportunity arose to invite Graham to Gibraltar and at this time he is taking his Christmas-themed concert 'Dreaming of a Holy Night' on tour" said Chris.

DREAMING OF A HOLY NIGHT promises to be a wonderful evening of superb music played by a talented band coming from the UK with Graham. The songs tell the narrative of the Christmas story from the annunciation to Mary of her future pregnancy to the birth and epiphany of Jesus. The concert weaves a tapestry of changing rhythms and evocative moods, culminating in a powerful declaration of the glorious arrival of the Messiah.

The words and music of DREAMING OF A HOLY NIGHT explore the mystery and wonder of the Nativity, tapping into a rich vein of imagination, empathy and insight.

The songs explore history's greatest story both from the inside - courtesy of the characters of Joseph and Mary, Elizabeth and Zechariah, and from the outside - looking back at the incarnation, celebrating its meaning for today, and its hope for tomorrow.

Graham explains: "At its core beats a heart-felt longing for a different kind of world - where the peace and goodwill we associate with the best of the Christmas season becomes a reality for everyone."

He adds: "Our hope is that the concerts will not only bring Christians together, but be the kind of event to which they can confidently bring not-yet-Christian friends; an environment where they can encounter the nativity story in a fresh, creative and inspiring way".

Under the direction of local impresario Christian Santos, a choir has been put together especially for the event at Graham Kendrick's request as a means of involving local Christians in the pageant. DREAMING OF A HOLY NIGHT will be a memorable occasion that will enliven Christmas 2009 and make way for a marvellous celebration of the birth of the King.

"We'd especially like to thank the owners of the Queen's Cinema for allowing us the use of the venue for this event. We are so grateful to them" said Chris Pitaluga. Admission to the concert is absolutely free. Tickets are available from the Cathedral Bookshop in Main Street on a first come-first served basis. Donations are, of course, welcome and any contributions received will be given in full to the GBC Open Day collection.

The Festival will also include a number of other local events.

MAJESTY! on Friday December 4th is an evening of praise, worship and music for all Christians also at the Queen's Cinema. As part of Hear†Bea†! a group of Christians in Gibraltar has come together to play contemporary songs and lead a congregation in praise and worship.

"Christian music today is as varied, inspiring and enjoyable as it has been through the centuries. Millions of Christians find that they are able to worship God and come closer to Him through music and song" said Chris.

There will be an event for young children, ADVENT WITH JESUS…for Kids on Saturday 28th November at 11.00am at the Catholic Community Centre. Our children are blessed each year to be part of many celebrations. This will be a Christmas party with a difference as we place Jesus and His birth, as He should be, at the centre of the celebration. He is the meaning of Christmas. This will be a special treat for children aged 4 - 8 who will enjoy the interactive party atmosphere and feel the presence of the Messiah who comes to bless them, their parents and their families.

An annual treat for parents and families from the 1st to the 4th DECEMBER is the presentation given by the MIDDLE SCHOOL CHOIRS in Gibraltar at St Theresa's Church under the welcoming embrace of the resident parish priest, Monsignor Charles Azopardi whose support for the Festival has been outstanding.

The more traditional side of the Festival will include three Church-based events. On Sunday 29th November at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, there will be a carol service called FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT. St Andrew's Church of Scotland will be the venue on the evening of Sunday 6th December for a traditional CAROL SERVICE, accompanied by mince pies and mulled wine. On Tuesday 8th December there will be a concert at the Cathedral of St Mary the Crowned of hymns to Our Lady in honour of the Feast of the Assumption that day called REGINA COELI.

CMT were hopeful at the time of going to press that the Gibraltar Philharmonic Society will be presenting a classical concert with a Christmas theme as the conclusion to the Festival around the 10th December. Please look out for announcements on this in local media nearer the date.

Admission to all Festival events is absolutely free.

Hear†Bea†! is a music festival with a difference - a real heart beating at its core. Come and join the party.

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