10 November 2007 Rating 8% No Comment  

A set of five stamps depicting the bands of the Maltese islands is being issued by the Philatelic Bureau of Maltapost on Tuesday, the 13th of November. Designed by Joe Mark Micallef, the set portrays different aspects of the history of Maltese Bands. Covering a span of over a hundred years, these bands have given, and indeed are still giving a considerable contribution to the musical scene in Gozo and Malta. A number of bands in several towns and villages across the Maltese Islands came into being towards the middle of the nineteenth century. The British had been in Malta for half a century, and the local population used to thoroughly enjoy watching military parades. Besides, numerous Maltese were in employment with the Services, and were therefore familiar with British bands. A number of Maltese men were also bandsmen in British bands. These Maltese bandsmen sowed the seeds for the setting up of local bands in their towns and villages, mainly with the idea of participating in village feasts. The idea took root, and several bands were set up over a relatively short period. It was not always easy, particularly in some villages, but existing problems seem to have been surmounted. Following the birth of the local bands, a number of clubs were opened, so that bandsmen could meet for concerts and to while away their free time. These clubs provided the space for the teaching of music, and several youths were given lessons in the music arts, at no charge. With the advent of the twentieth century more local band clubs were set up, and the ones started during the second half of the nineteenth century continued to flourish. This in turn led to piques in some towns and villages, sometimes resulting in the setting up of rival bands in some localities. In line with British band practice, the Maltese club committees provided Summer and Winter uniforms for their bandsmen. At the same time several local bands even ventured away from local shores and gave performances in other countries, mainly Italy. The bands continued to flourish, and a number of club committees even brought over foreign bandmasters, again mainly of Italian origin, in order to improve their performance. Since their inception, Maltese bands contributed considerably to local feasts and to Good Friday processions. Numerous popular band marches, funeral marches, Easter waltzes, hymns and other musical works were composed for these occasions. The Maltese Carnival also benefited, as several bands used to take part in the annual carnival defiles, adding to the merriment in the Valletta streets. They still do, but to a somewhat lesser extent. Over the years, bands were also set up in the Armed Forces and the Police Corps. These bands regularly take part and contribute officially during our National feasts and on state occasions. The stamps, which come in a size of 35mm x 35mm with a perforation of 14.28 x 14.28 (comb), are offset printed by Messrs Printex Limited of Qormi on Maltese Crosses watermarked paper. The face values are 4c / Euro 0.09, 15c / Euro 0.35, 21c / Euro 0.49, 22c / Euro 0.51, and Lm1 / Euro 2.33. These stamps are available, in mint or cancelled format, as First Day Covers, Souvenir Folders and Presentation Packs, from all Maltapost postal retail outlets in Malta and Gozo, from the Mobile Unit and from the Maltapost Philatelic Bureau (Tel. 25961747, e-mail philately@maltapost.com, postal address: 305 Triq Hal Qormi, Marsa, MTP1001) Additional information on this and forthcoming issues is also available on the Maltapost website www.maltapost.com.