APS Bank launched the “APS Bank Music Competition for Maltese Composers”. Chairman Prof. E.P. Delia said this new initiative wholly embraces the bank’s diverse and innovative initiatives to promote Maltese music and composers.

Participants in this competition, which will be for an oratorio-type work lasting about 60 minutes, will be able to choose from two subjects, highlighting two particular aspects of Malta’s cultural and religious heritage, namely the Catholic faith and Maltese literature in general.

The composers, who should be Maltese nationals born in Malta are being asked to prepare work which takes any of two specific artistic pieces into consideration, namely a sacred work setting the Latin texts of the three canticles found in the Gospel of St Luke or a song cycle setting of seven poems written by Ruzar Briffa. The works should be scored for a four-voice choir, two soloists and a 30-piece orchestra.

The works submitted will be judged by a non-Maltese panel of three independent judges resident in different European countries. APS music consultant Joseph Vella Bondin will chair the panel; however, he will not have judging powers.

The winner and runner-up shall receive cash prices of e2,500 and e1,500 respectively. In addition, APS Bank will pay for a live performance and recording of the winning entry. Entries should be sent by registered mail by not later than noon on 31 December 2007 to the bank’s Head Office in Floriana.

Further details regarding the APS Bank Music Competition for Maltese Composers including regulations and entry form are available either from the bank’s website www.apsbank.com.

mt, or from the Bank’s Head Office in Floriana.

APS Bank announced also that its series of Grand Masses of the 19th century will continue with a performance of Pietro Paolo Bugeja’s Messa Solenne. The concert will be held on Friday 30 November at 7.30pm at St John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta.

Last year’s featured music by Giuseppe Spiteri Fremond was recorded on CD and is now on sale.