The Santa Marija Band/Santa Marija Philharmonic Society Malta has a long history of musical bands that dates back to the nineteenth century. The role of military bands during British rule inspired the community to establish bands and musical societies in Maltese cities and villages. Thus, bands became an integral part of social and cultural life in our islands. Their participation in religious feasts, including titular feasts, musical programs, as well as civil celebrations like official funerals, became an essential part of life in Malta.
As one climbs up to Żebbuġ, in the direction from Rabat, one cannot fail to notice an imposing building at the corner facing the village entrance. Its architecture is not typical of Gozitan villages. In fact, the building before you is the headquarters, or club, of the Santa Marija Band, which eventually became the Santa Marija Philharmonic Society.
The band, which is named after the patron saint of Żebbuġ, was established in 1995. The founding committee of the society was formed by these members: Mr. Charles Cini (president), Mr. George J. Cefai (secretary), Ms Marlene Dimech (treasurer), Mr. Mario Cassar (public relations officer), Mr. Stephen Cini (archivist), Rev. Fr. Salv Tabone (spiritual director), Mr. Joe Saliba (member), Miss Frances Spiteri (member), and Mr. Francis Saliba (member).
The band’s statute was written by Lawyer Dr. Alfred Grech. Various amendments were made to the statute over time, particularly in 2004 when what was the Santa Marija Band was officially registered as the ‘Santa Marija Philharmonic Society’.
Maestro Joseph Grech was chosen as musical director, and he still conducts the band to this day. Equipped with a doctorate in music from the University of Nottingham, Grech was instrumental in ensuring that the Santa Marija Band, since its first performance on August 20, 1997, has always presented band music of a very high standard.
Since its establishment, the Santa Marija Philharmonic Society has always encouraged musical talent among its members. This is done through teaching, and then, as a band, it offers its services to the Żebbuġ community and participates in external feasts in various Gozitan villages. Beyond these roles, the Society has worked hard to rediscover the cultural heritage of Żebbuġ.
The establishment of the Society coincided with a socio-economic revival that had begun in Żebbuġ since the early eighties. At that time, Żebbuġ was still a relatively unknown village and few visited it. This began to change after the parish church was decorated with marble that was found in the village and had been known since the eighteenth century. Regarding music, the people of Żebbuġ had always yearned to establish a band, until in the mid-twentieth century, a young man from Żebbuġ, Maestro Anton Mallia (1898-1980) began teaching music to various young people from Żebbuġ, established a small orchestra, and even composed various pieces of religious music for the parish church. After his death, his work was continued by his son Giuseppe (1932-2023). The work of this family didn’t stop there, as today, Giuseppe’s nephew, Maestro Franco Cefai (1992- ) has been, since 2015, the assistant conductor of the Santa Marija Band, maestro di cappella in the parish church, and a highly sought-after organist.
Among the most important dates in the Santa Marija Band’s calendar, one finds its participation in the titular feast of Santa Marija held in Żebbuġ on the weekend after August 15, during Holy Week, and Easter Sunday. The Band organizes various musical concerts, both inside the parish church and outdoors, where the main event is the annual musical program Assumptafest held in the main square, which always attracts a large attendance.
The Club
The club was built on the site where previously there was the garden of the Parish House, which was originally left as inheritance by the first parish priest Fr. Francis Vella. The site was given by the parish for the Society’s use. In 1999, the Bishop of Gozo Mons. Nikol Cauchi, through a decree, authorized the Archpriest at the time Can. (now Monsignor) Noel Saliba to transfer part of the Parish House for the building of the Santa Marija Band Club.
The club and all its interior were designed by Sculptor and Designer Emmanuel Cini, and much of the work was done by volunteers who helped at the club over time. The first stone of the club was laid by H.E. Prof. Guido de Marco, President of Malta, and was blessed by the Bishop of Gozo Mons. Nikol Cauchi. The building of the club continued until 2013 when it was inaugurated in a special ceremony under the patronage of the Maltese ambassador for culture, international tenor Joseph Calleja. H.E. Bishop Mario Grech, now Cardinal Grech, blessed the project. Work didn’t stop with the inauguration, as during these recent years, the equipping and beautification of this club continued.
Among other things, the club contains a Restaurant, music classrooms, a musical archive, a hall for activities, as well as a Creativity and Visitors Centre. A particular attraction is the artistic dome found in the same club. In the basement of the Club, there is a chapel, teaching classrooms, an exhibition hall, as well as workshops for the feast decorations of the Għaqda Armar Santa Marija.
Thanks to the Society’s Committees, the Santa Marija Band has grown and strengthened both musically and institutionally. The enthusiasm and dedication of the committees over the years have drawn a sense of trust both locally and on a national basis.
While the Santa Marija Band continued to establish itself over the years with various services and musical programs around our island on different occasions; besides the musical aspect, the Santa Marija Philharmonic Society organizes several activities on a regional scale and also commissions various initiatives, studies, and projects related to the history and development of the village of Żebbuġ, including those particularly related to social aspects, traditions, culture, and art.
For more details about the Santa Marija Philharmonic Society, current activities, and its present administration, please visit the website: www.bandasantamarija.com or the Facebook page Soċjeta’ Filarmonika Santa Marija Żebbuġ Għawdex.
Research: Mario Cassar
Copyright: Soċjeta’ Banda Santa Marija and Żebbuġ Gozo Local Council
Photo credits: St. Mary Band Society, Mario Cassar
