King’s Own Band Releases Calendar of Activities for 150th Anniversary

The King’s Own Band, is a Maltese philharmonic band based in the country’s capital, Valletta. Next year, the King’s Own Philharmonic Society will be celebrating its 150th year since opening in 1874 under the name ‘La Stella’. During a press launch at their own club, the Society announced that they would be inviting every Maltese and Gozitan band club to accompany the King’s Own Band for a traditional march in Republic Street, Valletta. The Society’s president, Ivan Piccinino, remarked that the unification would be the most suitable way to celebrate the important milestone. He then listed out the main events planned for the following year.

Music

The Band plans to partake in several musical and vocal concerts in the coming year at a variety of venues, including the Manoel Theatre, Sir Temi Żammit Hall, as well as the Presidential Palace in Valletta. The Society’s Annual Concert will be held at Sir Temi Zammit Hall on February 17, featuring the Madrid-based Argentinian tenor Gabriel Arce, as well as one of the best sopranos Malta has to offer.

Throughout April 2024, the Club will be marching through the streets of Floriana and Valletta with The Philharmonic Society Vilhena, which like The King’s Own Philharmonic Society, was founded by Maestro Giuseppe Borġ and will be celebrating its 150th year. Today, the band is directed by Maestro Dr John Galea, who is coincidentally celebrating his 20th year as bandmaster (with the assistance of Maestro Anthony Cassar)

What’s more, as it was announced some months ago, Maestro de Haan will be conducting the King’s Own Band for a concert at The Royal Opera House in Valletta. The famed composer, whose works include ‘Free World Fantasy’ u ‘Music Xperience’, will also be dedicating an exclusive new work for the Band.

Culture & Religion

As for cultural events, the Committee has planned to release a book documenting the club’s history, as well as a three-day tour in Bologna for its members in May. During this visit, the Band will be taking part in a street parade on the Italian city’s streets, as well as carry out a concert at Basilica di San Domenico, where the burial ground of the society’s patron is located.

On 7 April, the Society will be organising a thanksgiving mass, which will be celebrated by Bishop George Frendo of Tirana Durres at the Basilica of Our Lady of Safe Haven and St Dominic, Valletta. On top of this, there has been talk of an oratorio about the life of St Dominic of Guzman in October, him being the society’s patron saint due to a number of the original members being celebrators of St Dominic’s feast. For Holy Week (March 24 – March 30 2024), the society will be taking to the streets of Valletta, along with the Ghaqda Madonna tal-Grazzja Banda San Mikiel, Żabbar for a Passion pageant.

Restoration

Furthermore, the Club’s Committee has spent the last few months planning two major restoration projects that will be carried out during the coming year, in order to ensure that the members’ expectations are met. The first project is the refurbishment of the club’s Main Hall, which was named in honour of King Edward VII after he authorised the Society to use the name ‘The King’s Own Band’ in 1901. The second project will preserve the Society’s musical archive with a digitalisation of their numerous impressive musical works, ranging from the classics to the contemporary.

All of these upcoming events and projects are a celebration of 150 years of milestones. After succeeding in all categories at an international concours in Algiers in 1912, The King’s Own became the first Maltese band club to receive the title of ‘Excellence’. And, in 1936, it became the first civil band in Malta to play the national anthem in public at St George’s Square. Then, following the end of World War II, the band took part in several festivities and played the march, Victory, written by eminent bandmaster Vincenzo Ciapparat.

For more details related to next year’s festivities, you can visit the King’s Own Philharmonic Society’s facebook and website.