Għaqda Mużikali Marija Assunta Gudja

Għaqda Mużikali Marija Assunta Gudja is a band club based in Gudja, Malta. It is a voluntary musical society that provides a marching band for the religious feasts of the village, most notably the feast of Our Lady of Consolation, held on the last Sunday of October, and the feast of Santa Marija (the Assumption), the patron saint of Gudja, celebrated on 15 August. The club is the successor of several earlier musical societies in Gudja, including the Circolo Musicale Santa Marija, which was established around 1883 and closed in 1915. In 1919, a group of local men founded the Circolo Musicale Indipendente, which opened its premises on 16 May 1919. The organisation later became the King Edward VIII Musical Club in 1936, and in 1943 it was reorganised as the Our Lady of Consolation Band Club, with a band inaugurated in 1944. In 1993 it adopted its present name, Għaqda Mużikali Marija Assunta. The club remains active, maintaining a website, publishing an annual feast book, and participating in the cultural and religious life of Gudja.

The musical society tradition in Gudja began with the Circolo Musicale Santa Marija, established around 1883 as the first musical society in the village. After periods of activity and decline, it closed permanently in 1915. In early 1919, four local men—Abram Zammit, Loretu Thewma, Giuseppi Gatt, and John Baldacchino—began discussions to form a new musical society to support the feast of Santa Marija and to organise the feast of Our Lady of Consolation. The initiative gained enough support that premises were officially opened on Friday 16 May 1919 under the name Circolo Musicale Indipendente. On 7 June 1919, the club demonstrated sympathy for four Maltese killed in Valletta by flying its flag at half-mast. Later that year, an orchestra was formed under Mro Ferdinandu (Dandu) Falzon. In 1936, the club changed its name to King Edward VIII Musical Club. During the Second World War (1939–1945), the club premises were offered to civil authorities to house refugees after the first air raids of 11 June 1940. On 12 April 1942, the premises were damaged in an air attack, and all documents and trophies were lost. On 10 September 1943, Mro Anthony Micallef was entrusted with forming a band, which was inaugurated on 13 August 1944 by Mons Emmanuel Galea, Bishop of Tralles, as the Our Lady of Consolation Band Club. In 1993, the club changed its name to Għaqda Mużikali Marija Assunta. The Maria Assunta Band continues to take an active part in the celebrations in Gudja of the feast of Our Lady of Consolation (last Sunday of October) and Santa Marija, the patron saint of Gudja (15 August). The club maintains a website, publishes an annual book titled "Festa Santa Marija" distributed to Gudja residents, and shares news and photos of its activities.

• 1993

  The club changes its name to Għaqda Mużikali Marija Assunta.

• 1944

  The band is inaugurated as Our Lady of Consolation Band Club on 13 August.

• 1943

  Mro Anthony Micallef is entrusted with forming a band.

• 1942

  The club premises are damaged in an air attack; documents and trophies are lost.

• 1936

  The club changes its name to King Edward VIII Musical Club.

• 1919

  Circolo Musicale Indipendente is founded and premises open on 16 May.

• 1919

  An orchestra is formed under Mro Ferdinandu (Dandu) Falzon.

• 1915

  Circolo Musicale Santa Marija closes permanently.

• 1883

  Circolo Musicale Santa Marija, the first musical society in Gudja, is established.

A community-based Maltese band club dedicated to the musical and religious traditions of Gudja.

Product categories. Marching band performances · Annual feast book "Festa Santa Marija" · Organisation of religious feasts

1. 1Ghaqda Muzikali Marija Assuntamariassuntagudja.com
2. 2Club Historymariassuntagudja.com
3. 3Għaqda Mużikali Marija Assunta Gudjawikidata.org