MALTA BAND CLUB
A Brief History of the Malta Band Club
A Brief History of the Malta Band Club
The Malta Band Club was founded by a group of dedicated Maltese musicians who mostly lived on Dundas street and the whereabouts. After a short stay with this club, the Malta Band committee decided to move its activities to the church hall of St. Paul's the Apostle Maltese-Canadian Parish. As the club grew in popularity in the Maltese community, the club committee decided to move to a building next to the Malta Park on Dundas Street West. Then two years later, the Malta Band Club moved to 235 Midland Avenue, just south of Dundas Street. The Malta Band Club still maintains facilities in this building. When the club outgrew the facilities on Maitland Avenue, the members started looking for bigger facilities to establish a permanent home for the Malta Band Club. The club finally purchased and moved into an 11,000 square feet building at 5745 Cooper Avenue in Mississauga, a block south of the HWY 401 and Kennedy road. This building is the official headquarters of the Malta Band Club. The Malta Band Club is the biggest Maltese Club outside of Malta and boasts a paid-up membership of over 600 Maltese-Canadians from across the Greater Toronto Area. If you wish to obtain more information about The Band Club, membership, up coming events, and any Club Feast or function, please call the Club at this number: Phone: 905.890.8507 Fax: 905.890.1306
2000 Malta Band Club Executive Committee
Upcoming Events of the Malta Band Club
Pay the 2000 membership fee and take advantage of reduced tickets for the functions where applicable. Also start receiving the "Band Notes" a sixteen-page club's magazine full of interesting reading material.
News from the Malta Band ClubOur Band is Italy Bound Th help raise funds to offset some of the cost of the trip to Italy, the band directors have come up with a wonderful idea of different 50/50 draws to be held every Friday or whenever they feel is appropriate. We would like to extend to all members interested in this upcoming trip to assist and participate. Mro Silvio Camilleri also introduced a monthly fund raising concert with the participation of our band. This also serves as a means to help raise more money. Along with the concert, a dinner will be served afterwards with dancing to our in-house music. We cannot do this without the help of all of you. So attend and support your fellow members.
Still thinking about your New Year's resolution to keep fit? Come and have fun with ballroom and line dancing. Anyone interested should register at the bar and someone will get in touch with you.
Past Activities of the Malta Band ClubFORZA VALLETTA CITY REUNION DANCE On Saturday April 29, 2000 the "FORZA VALLETTA CITY COMMITTEE" held there 2nd annual reunion dance at THE MALTA BAND CLUB. Good times were had by everyone. The evening started by a marvelous dinner of roast beef, pasta, hobz biz zejt and dessert all prepared by volunteers. After dinner Mr. Milo Vassallo, Consulate General of Malta, said a few words and brought greetings from the president of Malta. He than presented a signed picture of the president of MALTA to THE MALTA BAND CLUB. Also, Mr Vassallo on behalf of the consulate presented two nice presents to be raffled that night: one was a video tape of Malta; and the other a collection of photos taken in Malta in a book form. Other contributors to the raffle: The Bank of Valletta donated an $800.00 gift certificate towards a trip of the winner's choice; Orange Blossom Jewellery contributed a beautiful pearl necklace; and Mr. Costa of WatchWold contributed a clock. The host MC for that night was Martese Bianco. Following the speeches and all the thank yous, we settled in for an evening of dancing, celebrating and good times. The Forza Valletta City anthem was played a few times. The response was a huge crowd of people on the dance floor singing, dancing and jumping with joy celebrating our great city of VALETTA ........... "THE CITY BUILD BY GENTLEMEN ..FOR GENTLEMEN" The highlight of the evening came when a huge cake with the VALLETTA CITY SOCCER TEAM CREST WAS PARADED AROUND THE DANCE FLOOR TO THE TUNE OF TWO GREAT MARCHES; THE KING AND FORZA VALLETTA CITY ANTHEM. Other marches were player on CD by THE KINGS OWN BAND and LA VALETTA BAND. After the cutting of the cake the raffle was held and the dancing and celebrating continued well into the night in true Valletta style. Again the committee would like to thank THE MALTA BAND CLUB, Mr Albert Vella of the Bank of Valletta for his support, and all the FORZA VALLETTA CITY committee members: Joe Micallef, Fred Portelli, Mike Cini, Albert Sejeba, and Censu Francicca. The committee already started working towards next year how we are going to make it better and bigger next year.
THANK YOU ALL
St. Valentine's Dinner Dance On Saturday February 14, 1998 close to three hundred members and friends celebrated Valentine's Day at the Malta Band Club. A beautiful gesture was offered as a door prize for a gentleman to present to his special lady. This was won by a visiting guest from New York, Joe Tabone, who presented to his wife Perry a beautiful heart-shaped ring for the special occasion. The ring was donated by Watch World. Watch World also donated two watches, won by Theresa Vella and Mrs. Guza Mizzi. Both watches were presented by the owner of Watch World, Paul Costa. Chocolate hearts, which were painstakingly prepared by Mrs. Stella Francica, were given at the door to the ladies. The raffle prize of a lovely picture frame and a book of Mnajdra, donated by the Bank of Valletta, were won by Katie Vella and John Farrugia respectively. The prizes were presented by the Vice President of the Bank of Valletta, Mr. Albert Vella. Mr. Vella and his wife Theresa were our guests. The guest of honour was the Consul General of Malta Mr. Alfred Dalli and Mrs. Joyce Dalli. The dinner was prepared by our volunteers. After dinner, everyone danced the night away to TK the DJ. See you at our next function.
Once again we celebrated one of the most popular feasts on our beloved Islands. Close to four hundred people mostly from Mellieha, Isla, Naxxar and Xaghra Gozo danced the night away to Tk the DJ after being enthused by marches played by our very own Band. Il-Vitorja is one of the two most popular functions in our Club after New Year's Eve the other being Santa Marija. Both these feasts are dedicated to our Lady and they show the devotion that the Maltese have for the Mother of our Lord. Entertainment was provided by Natasha and Charlene Grima who where visiting from Malta. A big thank you to Eugene Borg for sharing his statue with us and to our hard working volunteers without whom these functions would not be possible to keep at such reasonable prices. The next three months are the busiest at our Club and we look forward to seeing you.
TENOR VICTOR MICALLEF BRINGS THE HOUSE DOWN .. PRIME MINISTER APPLAUDS PERFORMANCE The Bank of Valletta's Annual Concert is now part of the Maltese calendar. BoV's commitment to the Maltese community was again illustrated by the well organized function, which was run so smoothly by the consummate professional, MC Mrs Gina Hili. The concert, with 700 guests in attendance, was special this year as it was held under the distinguished patronage of Dr Alfred Sant, Prime Minister of Malta; the distinguished guests included HE Dr Mark Micallef, Malta's High Commissioner-designate to Canada, Consul General of Malta Mr Alfred Dalli and Mrs Dalli, Hon Karmenu Borg MP, Mr Joe Borg Personal Assistant to the Prime Minister, Parliamentary Secretary in the Federal Government Mrs Susan Barnes MP, Hon Jean Augustine MP, the President of the Malta Band Club Mr Charles Azzopardi and Mrs Maria Azzopardi, the President of Malta Labour Party in Canada, Mr. Joe Bonanno, and the Vice President of the Maltese Canadian Professional and Business Association Mr Harold Farrugia, and Ms Ave Bartolo. The Malta Band under the direction of Mro Silvio Camilleri played some choice pieces by Verdi, Mascagni, Mros Sammut, Bugeja, and Ciappara. The concert also featured Tenor Victor Micallef who brought the house down with his Neapolitan renderings; Victor, who was accompanied on the accordion by Mro Camilleri, was given a couple of standing ovations and had to perform an encore. Mro Camilleri played "Granada" on the accordion, and also led the beginners band who were performing after only six months of starting music lessons. Jacqueline Zuccarelli, all of five years, played on the clarinet and was carried shoulder high to acknowledge the applause. Mike Azzopardi read, and presented a framed copy, of a poem for the occasion, and was followed by a short address by the Bank of Valletta Canada Representative Office Vice President who greeted the Prime Minister of Malta, and acknowledged the support received from the Consul General and the High Commissioner designate. Mr Vella also made reference to the Bank's commitment to the Maltese community, and to the productive reciprocal benefits of the special relationship the Bank of Valletta has with the Malta Band Club, an arrangement that has proved to be beneficial to both parties. Mr Vella also thanked the Bank of Valletta staff, Mrs. Gina Hili, Mrs Dorothy Camilleri, and Mrs Sandra Dingli. The Prime Minister of Malta who, had earlier been entertained by the Committee of the Malta Band Club, thanked the performers and the band for their wonderful manifestation and for preserving the Maltese tradition and culture. Mementos for the occasion were presented by BoV to the Prime Minister of Malta, The Malta Band Club, Mro Camilleri and Tenor Victor Micallef, and to all the bands persons. President Charles Azzopardi also presented gifts to the Prime Minister. Our congratulations to all who participated, and many thanks to the Prime Minister and his delegation, and of course to our Honorary President, and Bank of Valletta Vice President Mr Albert Vella and Mrs Vella. The audience donated $6,850 towards St Paul's Church, Dar tal Providenza, Gozo Handicapped Society, and Gozo Eden Foundation.
Membership
For the second year in a row our membership has exceed the 600. This means 600 families enjoying the opportunity to belong. We thank you for your support and remember the club is there for you, our second family.
Message
Hopefully in the near future we will put our hands together and start working on the roof of the dance floor. We are sure that this hard work from our volunteer members and some money which we always find somehow we can keep improving our hall. The plans are to raise the dance floor ceiling based on the design of the BoV concert room where we received lots of praises. No one could believe that al the work done in our club with few exceptions was done by volunteer members who all they get for their trouble is a sandwich or a meal and a few drinks. We know why you do this work. You do not do it for a piece of bread or a drink. You do it because you enjoy the work, you enjoy the friends, and you enjoy helping out without expecting anything in return. But most of all, you are proud to say you helped this place with the fruit of your labors. As usual, we thank you for continuing to help your club in any way you can. From this corner, "Notes from the Malta Band Club....., we promise you that we will keep nudging you in the ribs to continue making your club as comfortable and decorated as your home. We want you to think of this place as your second home with as much comfort, luxury, features and gadgets as you dream necessary and will be behind you every step of the way.
Joining the Band
Those of you who are interested in music lessons should apply to Mro. Silvio Camilleri. Everyone is encouraged to learn their favourite instrument or one that is needed in the Band. Mro Camilleri is also interested in teaching the Mandolin. Come any Friday evening and speak to either Mro. Camilleri, or one of the Band Directors, Leli Camilleri or Martin Azzopardi.
The Building and Getting There
The building can host large crowds for dances, concerts and other activities of the Club and its sponsors. In recent years, the MCST Miss Malta Pageant and the Bank of Valletta concerts have been held at the club. The club is tastefully decorated. Pictures of Malta, trophies, testimonials and other artifacts are displayed throughout the building. The large Bar serves all sorts of drinks including Kinnie and pastizzi. Other Maltese dishes are served on special occasions and dances. The club is open to members and visitors and is a great place to meet other Maltese immigrants and friends for a chat and a drink.
This Page is maintained by camilleri@canadamail.com Last updated: Thursday, May 04, 2000 6:21:48 PM |
