Palazz Marija Assunta

Triq Rokku Buhagiar,  Qrendi QRD 1011
 MALTA

 Tel. 356 2164 2224

Last Update:

August 2008

St. Mary's Band Club consists of a Voluntary Social Musical Club dedicated to Our Lady's Assumption

• To foster a better musical appreciation amongst  our members especially the younger generation
• To organise the feast of 'Santa Maria' on the 15th August.
• To organise young people to develope their artistic skills.
• To organise sports activities like Darts, Snooker, Soccer, Draughts etc.
• To organise Fund Raising Activities. 

     The society was founded in 1908, first to celebrate to the full, the feast of the Assumption,  to keep old traditions alive for future generations, as at that time it was being seriously neglected. The Society's founders were Ignazio Falzon, Giuseppe Asciak (1868-1927), Mose` Zammit, Francesco Falzon and Raimondo Ellul. The first Honorary President was a known Professor and politition, namely Dr. Pier Gius Frendo LL.d. He was one of the founders of the Malta Labour Party. The first President was Dr. Roberto Tabone P.L. In 1944 the Society commenced musical tuition and in a few months 22 young musicians were trained by the founder Band Master Giuseppe Muscat. In fact the St Mary's Band was the first "band" from Qrendi to perform in public when on 5th August 1945 the band took part in the procession which accompanied the freshly restored statue of St Mary from the chappel of Our Saviour to the Parish Church. On this occasion the popular hymn written by the renowned Maltese poet, Karmenu Vassallo, was sung by the St Mary's Band and accompanied by the Society's girl choir. Then on the 3rd September, the Band held the first Official public concert on the occasion of the Feast of Our Lady of Consolation. In 1995 the Musical Accadamy was instituted to take care of the needs of the Band with a sub-committee which is elected in a general meeting for the band's musicians in October.Ever since then it has grown so that there are about 500 paying members today. It has always been a nest for talent. Free music lessons are given to those who wish for it, and given a musical instrument by the club or else the instruments can be bought by the member/student.

 A general meeting is organised every January to update statute and confirm or change committees. There could be general extraordinary meetings also during the year when the need arises. The present Central Committee is chaired by Martin Formosa as President, Mario Zerafa, Secretary and Felix Zerafa as the Treasurer. There are several sub committees, namely the Ladies Committee with Gina Schembri as Chairwoman, the Youth Committee with Maryrose Abdilla as Chairwoman the Fireworks Committee with Felix Zerafa as the Director, the Radju 15 ta' Awissu Committee with Mario Zerafa as Chairman along with the previously mentioned Musical Accadamy chaired by Nikol Aqiulina who incidentally is also one of the Society's Honorary President and ex-Qrendi Mayor.

Several activities are organised during the year mainly for fund raising, beginning with the New Year's party, Carnival activity which includes best costumes,  Easter bonnet and 'figolla' competitions, Wine Tasting competition, several Outdoor Maltese Nights and Bar-B-Ques during the summer, Dinners like Christmas Dinner, and Cold Buffets, Discos several Raffles are made during the year. A most impressing show of statues made by a young artist member Christopher Ebejer on Good Friday which depicts the road to the Cross.

 A big three day fair is organised every year, where an impressive stage is erected for shows done by the young members of the society and invited popular guests.

THE COMMITTEES