Friday, 17th December 2010
Annual Christmas Dinner
Over150
members, bandsmen and guests
attended the annual gala
dinner organized by the St
Joseph Band Club. The event
took place at the Country
Terrace, Ghajnsielem
and
included a speech by the
Club's president,
spot-prizes and gift
presentations.
Thursday, 9th December 2010
Liturgical Feast of Our Lady
of Loreto
Ghajnsielem
marked 'Jum Ghajnsielem'
with a procession
commemorating the feast of
Our Lady of Loreto. The St
Joseph Band Club accompanied
the statue of the Black
Madonna around the main
streets ending with a
bonfire which was lit in the
main square - a tradition
started just two years ago.
Saturday, 4th December 2010
St Joseph Band takes part in
Bethlehem f'Ghajnsielem
The third edition of Bethlehem f'Ghajnsielem was officially
inaugurated by the Hon. Prime
Minister Dr. Lawrence Gonzi on early Saturday afternoon. The official ceremony started an
hour earlier when the St. JosephBand played
Christmas carols in 10th December square as several guests
and dignitaries started to arrive for the opening. At
3.30pm, when the Hon. Prim Minister arrived, the actors
started to enter into the nativity village in a
pageant-style procession while the St. Joseph Band played
the national anthem. Mayor Francis Cauchi and project
manager Franco Ciangura accompanied the Prime Minister around the nativity village.
Wednesday, 1st December 2010
Parents Day for our young
students
The St. Joseph Band
organized
a meeting for the parents
and students during an
informal activity held in
the main hall of the club's
premises. School of music
teachers Mro Frankie Debono,
Tony Galea and Joe Galea
gave a short speech for the
occasion while President
Gino Cauchi gave the
concluding remarks before
Fr. Joe Cardona closed the
meeting with a prayer.
During the refreshments, the
parents had the opportunity
to discuss several issues
with the teachers while a
number of students played
short musical pieces.
Sunday, 14th November 2010
War Victims Remembered
The
St. Joseph Band Club joined
rest of the Commonwealth to
mark Remembrance Day to
honour the victims of the
two world wars. Several
people gathered to pay
tribute to the victims War
Memorial in a short butsignificantceremony
organized by the Ghajnsielem
Local Council.
The commemoration started
with a mass in St Anthony's
church. Shortly afterwards,
at around noon, Mayor
Francis Cauchi together with
representatives from the
main organizations and
relative of the victims laid
flowers and bouquets around
the monument.
Tuesday, 31st August 2010
Download the 2010 Feast
Magazine
The 2010 Feast Magazine is
out! Published by the St
Joseph Band, this year's
publication offers a record
170 pages full of features,
interviews, stories and
factual information about
Ghajnsielem. The publication
which was distributed to all
Ghajnsielem households is
now available for download
for the benefits of all our
emigrants.
To download the
publication, right click on the link below and select
'Save target as'
Monday, 30th August 2010
'Ikla ta' wara l-Festa' well
attended
The St Joseph Band organized
the traditional 'Ikla ta
wara il-Festa' in the form
of a pasta buffet dinner.
Around 200 people attended
for this event as the St
Joseph Snack bar remained
closed for a deserving break
after 7 days of non-stop
work. The present crowd had
the opportunity to view the
official DVD of St Paul's
2010 Feast at Palazzolo
Acreide and Ghajnsielem's
2010 feast photos.
Sunday, 29th August 2010
Feast of Our Lady of Loreto
As Ghajnsielem celebrated
the Feast in honour of Our
Lady of Loreto, the St
Joseph Band proudly
accompanied the statue
around the main streets. The
procession started at
8.00pm. Today marked the end
of a week long of
celebrations where our band
gave an impeccable service.
A big thank you goes to all
our bandsmen, committee
members, volunteers and
supporters. Viva x-Xemx!
Viva l-Madonna ta' Loreto!
Tuesday, 24th August 2010
Soprano Agius wows the crowd
during annual feast concert
Soprano Pamela Aguis wowed
the crowd with her rendition
of Puccini's famous “O Mia
Babbino Caro” on Tuesday
night as she accompanied the
St Joseph Band during the
annual Instrumental Concert.
Mro Sunny Galea assisted by
Mro Frankie Debono directed
a selection of works by
Beethoven, Morricone, Verdi
and several pieces of
musicals and arias among the
applause of the present
crowd of over 300 guests.
The event was attended by
Acting President Dr. Anton
Tabone, Hon. Giovanna Debono,
Minister for Gozo, Hon.
Fredrick Azzopardi MP and
Opposition Speaker Dr. Anton
Refalo.
Shortly after his speech,
the Society's President of
Malta presented
commemorative gifts to Susan
Cassar and Dr. Ray Bondin.
Mary Scicluna and Joe Rapa
also donated craft work made
by hand to the society. A
reception was held
afterwards with many guests
taking the opportunity to
visit the newly refurbished
committee room.
Innu lil Għajnsielem
Sunny Galea
Innu Marċ
‘Lill-Madonna ta’
Loreto’
Sunny Galea
Romance
Romanze in F
L.V. Beethoven
Melody
Gabriel’s Oboe
(mill-film ‘The
Mission’)
E. Morricone
Solista: Emmanuel
Saliba – Euphonium
Selection
Puccini in Concert
arr: W.Hautvast
Solista : Joe Galea
– Clarinet
Hymn
Amazing Grace
William Walker
Solista: Nicholas
Camilleri – Trumpet
Musical
Highlights from
‘Fiddler On The
Roof’
Jerry Bock
Solisti: Nicholas
Camilleri – Trumpet
Frankie Cutajar –
Euphonium
Aria
O Mio Babbino Caro
G.Puccini -arr:
Ant.Galea
Soprano : Pamela
Agius
Aria
Saper Vorreste
G.Verdi--arr:
Ant.Galea
Medley
Moment for Morricone
arr: J. de Mey
Symphony
Sinfonia Lirica
Sunny Galea
Solista : Joe Galea
– Clarinet
Innu tal-Banda
Joseph Farrugia
Innu lil Għawdex
Joseph Vella
Innu Nazzjonali
Robert Sammut
Sunday,
22nd August 2010
Open day at St Joseph
Band
For the third consecutive
year, St. Joseph Band opened
its doors to the general
public during an open day
event. During the morning,
many took the opportunity to
view the newly refurbished
formal committee room which
also included a sculpture
exhibition. The exhibition
showcased the sculpture that
will be decorating the
musical archive which will
be inaugurated next year. A
bandsmen concert also took
place in the morning.
The evening included many
musical and cultural shows.
The St Joseph Band students
led by Joe Galea, Tony Galea
and Frankie Debono played
several short pieces. The
Virgo Choir also performed a
religious tune for the
present crowd while several
local talents took the stage
to play their performances.
The Cash and Band group
animated the rest of the
evening.
Thursday,
19th August 2010
Rare music pieces donated to
the St Joseph Band
Emigrant Frank Zerafa who
was recently on a short
holiday in Ghajnsielem has
donated two rare manuscripts
to the St Joseph Band. The
manuscripts of which only
200 worldwide copies exist
contain Mozart's Requiem and
Beethoven's Moonlight
Sonata. The pieces were
presented to President Gino
Cauchi, Musical Director
Sunny Galea and Archivist
Loreto Galea. They will be
displayed in the Musical
Archive once the project is
completed.
Wednesday,
14th August 2010
St Joseph Band sponsors
statue restoration
The St. Joseph Band is
sponsoring the restoration
of old statue of Our Lady of
Loreto popularly known as
the 'Madonna tad-Dar'. The
statue was displayed last in
public in 2005 during
Friday's demonstration march
because a year later, it was
replaced by a new statue.
The old statue, work of
Wistin Camilleri dating back
to 1949 will now be placed
in a niche which is being
built in the main hall of
the Band club's premises.
But the Ghajnslemizi will
have the opportunity to
admire the newly restored
statue on Thursday during
the traditional band march
from Simirat Street where
the St Joseph Band will
accompany the statue of Our
Lady of Home from the old
parish church to the band
club's premises. The
restoration work is being
done by Rudolph Cauchi and
the Ghaqda Armar. A detailed
article about the history of
the statue written by Maria
Xerri will appear on the St
Joseph Band's feast
publication.
The St Joseph Band decided
to restore this statue to
preserve it for future
generations while being the
society's gift to the
Ghajnslemizi for the feast
of Our Lady of Loreto.
Wednesday,
4th August 2010
St
Joseph Band launches CD, Tile4U scheme
The St. Joseph Band
proudly launched
a new CD, 'Ġawhra'
for the occasion of the 2010
feast of Our Lady of Loreto.
The name 'Ġawhra'
refers to the Musical
Archive, a project which the
St. Joseph Band has been
working tirelessly for the
last four years and which
will soon be the 'jewel' of
the club's premises.
The CD contains a good mix
of traditional and new
marches which were backed up
by the Lauratana Choir. The
CD contains fourteen band
marches which were recorded
under the direction of Mro
Sunny Galea.
'Ġawhra'
can be purchased from the
Band Club premises for the
price of €12.
Meanwhile, the St Joseph
Band has recently launched
the Tile4U scheme during a
get-together orginized for
all expatriates and
foreigners currently living
in Ghajnsielem. The Tile4U
scheme aims to collect money
for the Musical Archive
unit. A wooden board
displaying 250 empty boxes
has been placed in the main
entrance hall of the Club.
All those who contribute to
this scheme will have their
name and address written in
these boxes. In just a few
days, over 50 boxes have
been
sponsored
by a number of benefactors.
All Ghajnslemizi are being
urged to contribute in this
initiative to finance this
exciting project. Those who
are interested in giving a
donation of€20
can call or send an SMS to
Kevin Cauchi on 99459426. A
member of the committee will
personally come and collect
your donation.
There is a lot of on-going
activity in the club's
premises as it for the
feast. The formal committee
room which will host the
musical archive has been
completed and the garage
doors underneath the premise
have been given a fresh
look. Four doors have also
been installed in the main
hall entrances. The general
public will have the
opportunity to see the on
going works during an open
day on Sunday 22nd August, a
week before the feast of Our
Lady of Loreto.
Monday
,
2nd August 2010
Musical Concert with soprano
Pamel Agius
On Tuesday 24th of August
the St. Joseph Band will be
performing a Musical Concert
and for the first time will
feature the voice of soprano
Pamela Agius. The concert
will be held at the' Our
Lady of Loreto' Square at
9.00pm. The public is
invited to attend.
Thursday,
15th July 2010
St.
Joseph Band on Facebook
Saturday,
3rd July 2010
Video footage of Sicily trip added on
YouTube
Part 1 For
the second consecutive year, the St Joseph
Band proudly performed a magnificent
performance in Palazzolo Acreide, Sicily for
the feast of St Paul. The strong 80-people
delegation arrived in Sicily on the 27th of
June to represent Ghajnsielem and Malta
during a 4-Day trip in Sicily for the feast
of St Paul in Palazzolo Acreide near
Siracusa. The first part of the video starts
with a short welcome march and continues
with the 'Giro di Gala' which is a 3-hour
march along the streets of Palazzolo. The
footage ends with a spontaneous march from
the youths to the delight of the Italians.
Part
2 The second
part of the video starts with the famous 'La
Scuita'. Later, the St Joseph Band performs
a musical concert in the main square of
Palazzolo Acreide, Sicily in honour of St
Paul. The video also shows some scenes from
the excursions to Mount Etna and Taormina.
Video edited by Kevin Cauchi.
Wednesday,
30th June 2010
Memorable experience for St Joseph Band in Sicily
For the
second year running, the St Joseph Band
proudly performed a magnificent performance
in Palazzolo Acreide near Siracua, Sicily in
occasion for the feast of St Paul. The
strong 80-people delegation arrived in
Sicily on the 27th of June to represent
Ghajnsielem and Malta during a 4-Day trip in
Sicily for the feast of St Paul in Palazzolo
Acreide near Siracusa.
The strong 80-people delegation, out of
which 50 were bandsmen, arrived in Sicily on
the 28th of June. The band took part in a
short band march in the villa communale
on the first day, a 3-hour giro di gala
around the main streets of village and a
highly praised 2-hour concert in the main
square on feast day. The trip also included
an afternoon shopping at Auchan and Siracusa
and a day trip to Mount Etna and Toarmina.
Many were once again impressed by the feast
celebrations especially the spectacular
fireworks, the shouts of the people, the
firecrackers and the bells making so much
noise that makes one hear nothing! There
were some touching moments such as when the
St Joseph Band played 'Viva x-Xemx' as the
statue of St Paul passed in front of the
Maltese delegation just before the
procession ended.
The trip was made possible with the
collaboration of Mr Ray Bondin, UNESCO
representative who is also currently living
in Ghajnsielem.
click here to see the
whole photo album of Sicily trip
Sunday,
9th May 2010
Procession in honour of our patron
Saint
On
Sunday afternoon, the Ghajnsielem parish celebrated the
feast of St. Joseph the Worker, better known in Maltese as
'San Guzepp Haddiem'. A mass led by the St Joseph Band
spiritual director Fr. Joe Cardona started at 5.00pm and
several bandsmen and committee members took an active part
in this celebration. Afterwards, the band accompanied its
patron St Joseph with a procession around the main streets
of Ghajnsielem. This year, three new members joined the band
and played for the first time.
Wednesday,
5th May 2010
Join the St Joseph Band in Sicily trip!
The Executive
Committee today announced the details of a 4-Day trip in
Sicily
between the 27th and 30th of June 2010 for those
who want to accompany the St Joseph Band. Following the
successful performance last year, the St Joseph Band has
again been invited by
Mr Ray Bondin and the committee of St Paul's to play in Palazzolo Acreide.
This traditional and popular
feast is celebrated between the June 27th to 29th in a
magnificent way. The Band will play marches the feast eve
and a host musical program on the feast day. Last year's
performance was described on one of the local
Sicilian newspaper as "Un bellissimo concerto".
The price is €430 (Lm185) for HALF BOARD and includes the accommodation,
catamaran tickets, transport (both in Sicily and Malta)
and all taxes. The trip will include excursions to Mount Etna and Taormina and
also an afternoon of shopping at a large market centre.
Places are VERY limited and bookings are strictly
accepted on a first come, first served basis.
Deposit must be paid by not later then
Friday 21st May in order to confirm your place. A
copy of your ID Card or Passport must also be provided.For bookings
or further details please contact:
Friday,
3rd April 2010
Way of the Cross at Għammar Hill, Ta Pinu
On Good
Friday, the St Joseph Band organized
the
'Way of the Cross' at Għammar Hill,
Ta Pinu. The group departed from the
club's premises at 9.00am and was
led by spiritual director Fr Joe
Cardona.
Wednesday,
31st March 2010
Musica Sagra by St Joseph Band
This
evening, the St. Joseph Band held
its annual concert of religious
music which included a mixture of
funeral marches and other works
related to the Holy week. The event
was held at the old parish church
and was well attended by the locals.
The band
was conducted by Director Mro Sunny
Galea A.L.C.M. and assisted by Mro.
Frankie Debono. Throughout the
concert, Fr. Joe Cardona, the Club's
spiritual director shared some
spiritual thoughts for religious
reflections. Notary Josepha Xuerebwas
compère for the
evening. The
pieces were played at an astonishing
level of virtuosity which rightly
brought those present to their feet
to acknowledge with applause.
Sunday,
28th March 2010
Via Sagra display St Joseph Band Club
For the
second consecutive year, the St
Joseph Band is taking an active part
in the 'Holy Week' activities. After
the success of last year's
exhibition, this year the executive
committee decided to display a set
of statues decipiting scenes from
the Passion of Christ .
The
display is being exhibited
at the
club's premises and will remain open
until Easter Sunday.
he
statues were provided by Francis Lee
Buttigieg.
Friday,
26th March 2010
Our Lady of Sorrow Procession
Today processions and pilgrimages were held all over the
islands with deep veneration towards Our Lady of Sorrows
and in Ghajnsielem this was certainly not an exception
as hundreds followed the solemn procession of Our Lady
of Sorrow which went round the main streets of the
village. The feast takes place before Palm Sunday and is
considered as one of the most revered in the Maltese
islands. The procession started at 6.00pm and took the
form of a pageant with various participants dressed up
in period costumes to represent Biblical personalities.
It was a day of devotion with several volunteers
participating in this procession as an act of sacrifice
or thanks-giving. The St Joseph Band accompanied the
procession with religious and funeral marches.
Tuesday,
23rd March 2010
St Joseph Band to play again in Sicily
The St
Joseph Band has once again been invited to take part in the
feast of St Paul at Palazzolo Acreide, Siracusa in Sicily.
This traditional and popular feast is celebrated between the
June 27 to 29 in a very magnificent way. The Band will play marches the feast eve and a host
musical program on the feast day. The trip
was made possible with the collaboration of
Mr Ray Bondin, UNESCO representative who is
also currently living in Ghajnsielem.
The executive
committee is once again also planning to organize a tour
which will be open for the general public and will include a
day of shopping and a day-trip to Taormina although the
final program is not confirmed yet. The group is set to
depart on Sunday 27th June and return on Wednesday 30th
June. More details will be announced soon.
Palazzolo Acreide is a town where history, tradition and
modern life coexist in a wonderful natural setting between
gorges formed by two rivers. The town raises on hills
overlooking a large part of the South-East of Sicily down to
the cost. A visit to Palazzolo Acreide combines the beauty
of the archaeological Greek heritage with fine examples of
Baroque architecture, the religious celebrations and the delicious tastes and smells of the Hiblean
mountain food. The town has 9204 inhabitants and is situated
670 metres above sea level.
Last year, many Ghajnselemizi were impressed with the
traditions connected with the feast of San Paolo. The most
exciting moment for many was certainly the “A Sciuta”.
Here, the statue of St. Paul is removed from the main altar
and arranged on the processional array, then carried out
together with the relics of the saint. Outside the church
the sound of bells ringing, the music of the band, the
shouts of the bearers and of the faithful, the firecrackers,
the throwing of thousands of pieces of paper with “Viva S.
Paolo” written on and of long stripes of coloured paper,
called “nzareddi”, welcome the procession. In a moment the
imposing Baroque façade of the church, which has been
decorated since the morning with hundreds of fire crackers
and light guns to shoot the “nzareddi”, “vanishes” as it
were “absorbed” by the continuous explosions, the guns
firing, a huge cloud of smoke and by the thousands of
“nzareddi” that fall down, wriggling like snakes, over the
processional array, the bearers and the crowd of faithful.
Watch the highlights of last year's trip including the famous "A Sciuta”
Monday,
16th March 2010
Holy Week activities
announced
The St Joseph Band Club is
organizing a series of activities related with the
lantern and holy week. The activities are being
organized by the executive committee in collaboration
with the club's spiritual message Fr Joe Cardona.
Everyone is urged to attend.
Wednesday
24th March, 7.00pm Spiritual message and prayers led by Fr Joe Cardona
at the club's premises
Friday 26th March, 6.00pm
The St Joseph Band will play funeral marches at Our Lady
of Sorrow Procession
Sunday
28th March, 11.00am
Display of statues representing scenes from the Passion
of Christ
(open till Easter Sunday)
Tuesday 30th March, 7.00pm Sacrament of Confession at the club's premises
Wednesday
31st March, 7.15pm Concert of
religious music at the Old Parish Church
Friday 2nd April, 9.00am
Way of the Cross at Għammar Hill, Ta Pinu
(We meet in front of the St Joseph
Band Club at 9.00am and depart together) Friday 2nd April, 5.30pm The St Joseph Band will play funeral marches atGood Friday
Procession, Nadur
Sunday,
7th March 2010
Two new faces join the executive committee
As the St Joseph Band Club is gearing up for
a busy year ahead, two new members have been co-opted to
join the executive committee.
Brain Muscat and Josef Azzopardi
will be replacing Frank Tabone and Christian Bonello with
immediate effect. Both have been approved by the members at
the 2010 AGM. The executive committee would like to thank
Frank and Christian for the services they offered.
Friday, 5th March 2010
2010 Annual
General Meeting well attended
After years of hard
work, the Musical Archive and the
newly-refurbished Committee room are expected to be
in the final stages of completion. This
was announced by President Gino Cauchi as the St Joseph Band
Club held its Annual General Conference.
Club Secretary Kevin Cauchi
presented a detailed administrative report covering all
projects, activities and other related analysis. The
secretary emphasized that during the last 12 months,
while committee managed to continue works on the Formal
Committee Room it also started another exciting project
-the refurbishment of the Main Hall and Snooker Hall.
The executive committee also managed to find a solution
for the storage of the bar's stock.
Treasurer Elvin Tabone explained all the revenues and
expenditures of the society, covering during the last 12
months. A series of initiatives to finance these projects were unveiled.
Present for the AGM was Dr Ray Bondin, now living in
Ghajnsielem and who follows with great interest what is
happening in our village. Dr Bondin, ex-President of the
Filarmonica Nazionale La Valette praised the work and
the initiatives of present committee adding that he was
impressed by the number of volunteers who still actively
involve themselves to help and assist where required.
The
committee will now focus on the Holy Week preparations.
During the meeting, Fr. Joe Cardona, the society's spiritual director
announced a number spiritual
activities which will be organized throughout the
lantern period. Details will be announced in due course.
Saturday, 20th February 2010
2010 Annual
General Meeting
The 2010
AGM will be held on Friday 5th March at 6.30pm. The meeting
will start with an introductory speech by President Gino
Cauchi. Club Secretary Kevin Cauchi will present a detailed
administrative report covering all projects, activities and
other related analysis while Treasurer Elvin Tabone will
explain all the revenues and expenditures of the society,
covering during the last 12 months. All members are urged to
attend. There is no election for the executive committee
since a committee is elected once every two years.
