Every band club in Malta thinks that theirs is the best, but as you walk through the spacious, lovingly decorated rooms of San Gejtanu band club in Hamrun, you can actually feel the pride of all those who have worked tirelessly to make this club what it is.
These days, their pride is more pronounced than ever as the committee and active members are busy getting ready for a month long celebration to commemorate the 100th anniversary of their beloved club.
Financed through a mixture of donations, benefactors and sponsors San Gejtanu is impressive for its history. Marble, damask curtains and works of art adorn everywhere you look, while glass showcases house the various trophies. It boasts almost 500 members, including a very passionate youth section which was founded in 1987.
There is something happening every day during the month of June, including art exhibitions of the patron saint San Gejtanu in popular art and in history and a concert in the main square presided over by President Emeritus and ex-Vice President Prof. Guido de Marco.
On 17 June a Mass will be held, celebrated by two priests from the Order of the Teatini which was set up by St Gaetan himself.
Putting aside their rivalries, San Gejtanu will be joined by the band clubs of St Joseph and Tal-Kuncizzjoni for a grand celebration on 24 June (the club’s founding day).
The centenary celebrations will come to a close in December when a Musico Literary evening attended by the Prime Minister and Malta’s Bishops will be held.
As Dr John Buttigieg jokingly said, “Tal-Hamrun kollox bi kbir jaghmlu” (We in Hamrun like to do things in a big way).
Double CD album
Regnum Dei is the name of a double CD album being launched tomorrow at 10.30am at the San Gejtanu band club. This album is being released by the club on the occasion of its centenary and includes the best anthems and hymns dedicated to the patron saint San Gejtanu. The music is written by former band conductor Joseph Abela Scolaro and the present conductor Ray Sciberras, while the lyrics are by Dun Frans Camilleri, Anselm Sciberras and other songwriters.
Club members are urged to buy this double CD album which has been two and a half years in the making, and which is the result of considerable sacrifice by the band, the choir and the soloists.