Domenic Darmanin has been appointed band director of the Philharmonic Society La Valette, succeeding Mro Joseph Sammut, who led the band for almost 40 years. The first occasion for the new leader will be a concert by the brass section within the band, which will be held on the society’s premises on Wednesday, 13 February at 8pm, when it will give a recital of classical and modern themes. Entrance is free.

The new deputy band director is James Chappel.

The brass band concert is one of the activities that the society is organizing for the feast of St Paul Shipwreck. Other activities to mark the feast will be the march on the eve of the feast, which this year will be on 15 February, starting in Republic Street, proceeding down through l’Arcipierku and on to the area next to the Siege Bell Memorial (after which a display of fireworks will be held). They will also participate in the traditional march on the afternoon of the feast day.