An example for valid information for my book on Malta.
Very Thanks to Mr. John Ivan Borg. An excellent Maltese conductor.
1. Brief General History of Maltese Bands
The origins of Maltese band clubs dates back to the 19th century, when in 1860, Indri Borg grouped some amateur musicians commissioned to take part in the most traditional feast on the Maltese islands: L-Imnarja. As a general rule, we associate the Maltese band clubs to the feasts of the patron saints in Maltese towns and villages. They are also active participants in the procession of Good Friday and the feast of the Risen Christ on Easter Day. This does not mean that before the birth of band clubs music ensembles were non-existent. It is documented that in 1673, the Good Friday procession in the capital city Valletta was accompanied by some form of music playing, probably including basic string instruments, fifes and drums. The same thing was still happening in Naxxar in 1761.
In 1804, we have the first mention of some kind of band, which did not have any particular identity. This was formed by musicians commissioned to entertain the crowd during the procession of the feast of the Risen Lord in the town of Vittoriosa.
The influx of Italian refugees, between 1866 and 1870, also left its mark. In fact, most of the traditions that we still encounter up to this day in Maltese bands date back to the end of the 19th century and to the customs that the Italian refugees brought with them.
The main reason why philharmonic band clubs started cropping up around the island was to take part in the celebrations of the feasts of the patron saints of almost all towns and villages. They even took up the name of the respective saint as a means of identity, for example, “St.Joseph Band Club”.
In the beginning, band clubs were only frequented by men but in the past 30 years women started to actively participate in the Band clubs both as members in the club’s committee as well as musicians in the band. As time went by, philharmonic societies not only focused on the musical aspect but also included activities such as sport and drama to enrich the cultural and social aspect of their town or village. However, the main aim of Maltese band clubs was and still is a source of providing basic training and knowledge in the musical field.
2. Different Kinds of Bands
We classify all village bands mentioned in the General History section, as community and amateur bands. Various schools in Malta possess their own school band, but again on an amateur level. Whilst all village bands fulfil the activities carried out during the feast of their respective patron saint, which is held annually, school bands are mostly involved in music appreciation activities and during the annual scholastic concert to celebrate the completion of the academic year.
The only professional wind band in Malta is the Armed Forces of Malta Band – a military band.
3. Professional Level of Directors
Conductors / Directors in Malta have a very high professional level. Most conductors studied abroad namely Italy, England and USA. Maltese conductors seek to further their studies in musicology.
4. Maltese Composers
The following are just a few Maltese composers from a larger number mentioned in several music reference books throughout the world.
Paolino Vassalli Joseph Abela Scholaro
Nicolo’ Isouard Anthony Chircop
Antonio Nani George Debono
Antonio Miruzzi Ray Sciberras
Vincenzo Carabott Lawrence Borg
Vincenzo Ciappara Philip Gatt
Carlo Diacono Hector Dalli
Reuben Zahra Profs. Charles Zammit
Profs. Charles Camilleri Joseph Magri
7. General Information
The number of musicians in each band varies however bands generally consist of 40 to 50 musicians. Sometimes, on particular occasions, the number of musicians is doubled.
The expenditure of a very active village band is more than Lm10,000 (€ 23,300) per year for its annual commitments.
As mentioned in point no.3, in Malta there is a large number of qualified titled conductors. Most decorations and titles are obtained through British music colleges.
Rehearsals are usually called very often depending on the commitment of the band. Each village usually holds a rehearsal in its premises once a week whilst the Armed Forces of Malta Band holds rehearsals every day.
The uniform used by amateur bands is, so to say, standardized. It consists of a white shirt, black trousers, white forage cap and the band club tie with its respective logo. This is obviously not the case for the professional military band where the uniforms used are various depending on the occasion. There are uniforms used during ceremonial activities and others used for non-official functions.
The repertoire covered by Maltese wind bands varies from the classical genre (sometimes even heavy classical) to the pop.
No festivals and / or competitions are held at present here in Malta.
8. Personal Opinion regarding Maltese Wind Bands
With all due respect to all bands in Malta, I consider the professional level obtained so far (after so many years since the first band originated) as rather poor. Discipline in musicology is lacking and non-musicians are usually selected to form part of the band’s administrative committee often resulting in the organisation of nonsense activities and events with timings that more often than not go off the limit. A percentage of wind bands in Malta have non-professional conductors and unfortunately sedentary programmes are lacking.
The origins of Maltese band clubs dates back to the 19th century, when in 1860, Indri Borg grouped some amateur musicians commissioned to take part in the most traditional feast on the Maltese islands: L-Imnarja. As a general rule, we associate the Maltese band clubs to the feasts of the patron saints in Maltese towns and villages. They are also active participants in the procession of Good Friday and the feast of the Risen Christ on Easter Day. This does not mean that before the birth of band clubs music ensembles were non-existent. It is documented that in 1673, the Good Friday procession in the capital city Valletta was accompanied by some form of music playing, probably including basic string instruments, fifes and drums. The same thing was still happening in Naxxar in 1761.
In 1804, we have the first mention of some kind of band, which did not have any particular identity. This was formed by musicians commissioned to entertain the crowd during the procession of the feast of the Risen Lord in the town of Vittoriosa.
The influx of Italian refugees, between 1866 and 1870, also left its mark. In fact, most of the traditions that we still encounter up to this day in Maltese bands date back to the end of the 19th century and to the customs that the Italian refugees brought with them.
The main reason why philharmonic band clubs started cropping up around the island was to take part in the celebrations of the feasts of the patron saints of almost all towns and villages. They even took up the name of the respective saint as a means of identity, for example, “St.Joseph Band Club”.
In the beginning, band clubs were only frequented by men but in the past 30 years women started to actively participate in the Band clubs both as members in the club’s committee as well as musicians in the band. As time went by, philharmonic societies not only focused on the musical aspect but also included activities such as sport and drama to enrich the cultural and social aspect of their town or village. However, the main aim of Maltese band clubs was and still is a source of providing basic training and knowledge in the musical field.
2. Different Kinds of Bands
We classify all village bands mentioned in the General History section, as community and amateur bands. Various schools in Malta possess their own school band, but again on an amateur level. Whilst all village bands fulfil the activities carried out during the feast of their respective patron saint, which is held annually, school bands are mostly involved in music appreciation activities and during the annual scholastic concert to celebrate the completion of the academic year.
The only professional wind band in Malta is the Armed Forces of Malta Band – a military band.
3. Professional Level of Directors
Conductors / Directors in Malta have a very high professional level. Most conductors studied abroad namely Italy, England and USA. Maltese conductors seek to further their studies in musicology.
4. Maltese Composers
The following are just a few Maltese composers from a larger number mentioned in several music reference books throughout the world.
Paolino Vassalli Joseph Abela Scholaro
Nicolo’ Isouard Anthony Chircop
Antonio Nani George Debono
Antonio Miruzzi Ray Sciberras
Vincenzo Carabott Lawrence Borg
Vincenzo Ciappara Philip Gatt
Carlo Diacono Hector Dalli
Reuben Zahra Profs. Charles Zammit
Profs. Charles Camilleri Joseph Magri
7. General Information
The number of musicians in each band varies however bands generally consist of 40 to 50 musicians. Sometimes, on particular occasions, the number of musicians is doubled.
The expenditure of a very active village band is more than Lm10,000 (€ 23,300) per year for its annual commitments.
As mentioned in point no.3, in Malta there is a large number of qualified titled conductors. Most decorations and titles are obtained through British music colleges.
Rehearsals are usually called very often depending on the commitment of the band. Each village usually holds a rehearsal in its premises once a week whilst the Armed Forces of Malta Band holds rehearsals every day.
The uniform used by amateur bands is, so to say, standardized. It consists of a white shirt, black trousers, white forage cap and the band club tie with its respective logo. This is obviously not the case for the professional military band where the uniforms used are various depending on the occasion. There are uniforms used during ceremonial activities and others used for non-official functions.
The repertoire covered by Maltese wind bands varies from the classical genre (sometimes even heavy classical) to the pop.
No festivals and / or competitions are held at present here in Malta.
8. Personal Opinion regarding Maltese Wind Bands
With all due respect to all bands in Malta, I consider the professional level obtained so far (after so many years since the first band originated) as rather poor. Discipline in musicology is lacking and non-musicians are usually selected to form part of the band’s administrative committee often resulting in the organisation of nonsense activities and events with timings that more often than not go off the limit. A percentage of wind bands in Malta have non-professional conductors and unfortunately sedentary programmes are lacking.
