Santa Marija Festa. Mqabba, Malta

(Before going on to read about the Society and Band please open your PC sound to listen for a sample from the Popular march 'Maria Assunta' by Leonard Farrugia, performed by the King George V Band, Mqabba, Malta)

Brief History:

The origin of the band go back to 1887 when a band directed by Mro. Michele Zammit used to participate during the village feast of Saint Mary in Mqabba. The present Society was founded in 1905 with the name of Santa Marija Social Club. Later on the club changed the name to King George V Social Club in 1910. The musical activity in the Society returned in 1945 with the establishment of the Santa Maria Orchestra by Mr. Joseph Galea from Mqabba. The Orchestra was then transformed into a wind band named King George V Band in 1947.

As from the very first year of its foundation, the main aim of the Society was organizing the Street Festivities on the occasion of the annual village Feast of Saint Mary in Mqabba between 30th July and 22nd August (Climax is reached during the week between 09th and 15th August). As from the year 1945 then the Society established a new aim, that of music. Hence from 1945 onwards the Society began to work for 2 main aims, continuing organizing the feast and diffusing the art of music to Mqabba people. This was the main reason why more recently the Society modified the name to Society of Saint Mary and King George V Band Club to reflect the 2 main aims for which the Society exists.

Musical Directors through the years were: Mro. Espedito Deguara (1945-1947), Mro. John Mary Barbara (1947-1954), Mro. Leonard Spiteri (1954-1956), Mro. George Martin (1956-1991), and Mro. Anthony Camilleri (1991-1997). The present Musical Director/Band Conductor is Mro. David Agius, appointed in 1997. He is most popular in the Maltese Islands for composing beautiful Traditional Maltese Band Marches.  The band is normally formed of a number between 45 and 80 members, depending on the occasion when it performs. The repertoire varies from Classical and Modern Music for Concert Band, Cinema and TV Sound Tracks, Miltary and Traditional Maltese Marches, as well as Folkloristic Music and other original music for Band. Principal activities of the Band are band concerts and marching parades during Feasts in various towns and villages around Malta and Gozo, where it is invited to participate. The main activities of the band however, come during the Village Feast of Mqabba in August. The Band performs an annual concert on its Artistic Band Stand set up at Mqabba Main Square on the 10^th August, and participates during marching parades on the 9^th, 13^th and 15^th August. The King George V Band is also the first Band from Mqabba to perform in the National Theatre of Malta, the Manoel Theatre in Valletta. The Concert was held in November 2005 in occasion of the St. Cecilia Feast organized by the Maltese Band Clubs' Association. During this concert, acclaimed by the audience present, and by many Music and Band enthusiasts in Malta, as one of the best concerts ever presented by a Band in this theatre, the King George V Band performed music by Sostakovich, Tchaikowsky, Morricone and David Agius amongst all.

A new project started recently by the Band is that of opening up an international venture, by setting up contacts and exchanges with Bands coming from the whole world. Results are the twinning with the Santa Vittoria in Matenano Band from Ascoli Piceno, Italy. This twinning was also awarded the Golden Star for Town Twinning by the European Union in November 1998. 

The King George V Band has also visited and played in Italy during July 1996. A number of Bands and Musical Groups have also visited Malta following an invitation by the Society. Amongst them are: Santa Vittoria in Matenano Band, Italy (1997); Jugend Blasorchester Leipzig, Germany (1998); Philarmonic Band of Larissa, Greece (2000); Kyriat Band, Israel (2000); Kfar Saba Band, Israel (2001); Alei Gefen Choir, Israel (2002); Bedford Town Band, United Kingdom (2005); St. Keverne Brass Band, United Kingdom (2006); and David Morris, World Champion Whistler from Dobcross, United Kingdom (2006).

As you may have noticed from the previous paragraph of this page, this year our Society has continued with this International Venture. The St. Keverne Town Brass Band coming from Cornwall, UK, was another International Guest of honour during our Santa Marija Festa in Mqabba. It performed in Mqabba on the 10th August, with a marching parade, and with concerts on the days of the 13th, 14th and 15th August. One step further this year, has been presenting an innovative Concert by the King George V Band of Mqabba on the 10th August evening. The band was accompanied by David Morris from Dobcross, Saddleworth UK, who is a Whistling World Champion. A great International attraction that delighted the audience present in Mqabba during the day !! This year for the week of Santa Marija Festa in Mqabba between the 9th and 15th of August we will have more International Guests coming to Malta. The first will be the St Stythians Brass Band coming from Cornwall UK. The second will be Dr. Andy Isca, a music professor and Band Conductor coming from the USA - He will be conducting the King George V Band during the Festa annual concert of the 10th August.

For the coming years The Society of Saint Mary and King George V Band Club remain always available to start new contacts and musical-cultural exchanges with all those Bands Interested. We would like to invite all those interested to visit Malta, and participate during our village Feast between 9^th and 15^th August of next year and the sub sequent years.  Please contact Alfred Galea, person in charge of International Relations for the King George V Band, on email: alfgalea@maltanet.net

This year (2007) the King George V Band is commemorating two important events. The first one is the 60 years from transforming the Orchestra Santa Marija into a Band late in 1947. For this occasion the King George V Band will be touring Italy in July 2007 (follow link www.freewebs.com/romevisit07/). This will also be part of a musical-cultural exchange between the King George V Band of Mqabba and the Associazione Bandistica Citta di Cave. The Cave Band will be visiting Malta in2008 to participate in the Main village Festa of Mqabba, Santa Marija. A second important celebration of the King George V Band is the 10th Anniversary of Mro. David Agius as Band Conductor (follow link www.freewebs.com/banda2007).  

(CDs and DVDs of the King George V Band are available to all those interested. Please send email to alfgalea@maltanet.net for further details)