Imperial Band Club to play on this Saturday

Having been postponed due to bad weather on September 2, Mellieha's Imperial Band Club will perform their Vocal and Instrumental Concert on this Saturday (September 29) at the Misrah iz-Zjara tal-Papa' in Mellieha, at 20:00.

The Imperial Band Club derived its origins from The Constitutional Orchestra Club, which was set up on August 31, 1924.

Four years later, a decision was taken to establish a Band Club under the name of The Imperial Band Club. In February 1929, the Club acquired its first instruments, 45 pieces to begin with and percussion instruments. On September 21, 1930, The Imperial Band Club gave its first musical programme in the Mellieha Village Square.

On July 23, 1949 the band travelled to Sicily and, in the famous Villa Bellini Gardens in Catania, delivered its first musical programme abroad, under the able direction of Mro. Anthony Sammut.

Between July 2 and July 9 1995, the band travelled to Sousse, Tunisia, where it delivered several concerts under the direction of Mro. John Mamo.

In October 1999, the Imperial Band delivered several concerts in Germany under the Direction of Mro. Anthony Borg.

In November 2007 the Imperial Band under the direction of Mro. Anthony Borg participated in 'Novello in Festa' an annual cultural festival held in the town on Leverano (LE) in the region of Puglia in Italy.

Apart from its regular commitments in the Village, the Band proceeded to involve itself in numerous engagement outside Mellieha and in a host of official celebrations on a national scale.

Today, the Band consists of about 50 musicians with its structure resembling that of a Military band, basically made up of wood, brass, and percussion instruments. Its repertoire includes Maltese marches, Maltese Folk music, classical and popular music from international sources.

The Imperial Band takes great pains to teach musical theory to its trainee musicians and to hold regular rehearsals for these budding bandsmen.