On Wednesday 16 December, the newly-established University of Malta Wind Ensemble presented a Christmas lunchtime concert at university. This well-attended event was part of the Christmas on Campus programme aimed at raising funds and making university students more aware of other’s needs. The programme prepared by this 12-piece ensemble under the direction of Philip Ciantar, a lecturer in music at the University of Malta, included a whole range of musical styles: from jazz to classical music, from semi-classical pieces to Christmas carols. The Ensemble, which is part of the DegreePlus programme, is composed of brass, woodwind and percussion players coming from different faculties and institutes.

I was happy to see my friends and colleagues playing in this Ensemble and enjoying the informal ambience that characterised this concert. It was interesting observing their way of playing, their mood and the enthusiasm they were putting into the music. When the music started, I couldn’t help noticing their body language, their high degree of teamwork, the breathing techniques employed and their sensitivity to musical details, such as phrasing and intonation. All this resulted in a very well balanced sound and a secured tempo throughout. The Ensemble was also very firm in its attack and level of projection. An admirable dynamic was the sforzando-piano to crescendo effect, which was proficiently played by the trumpets, mainly, in Walters’ Pizza-Party and Johnson’s Christmas Serenade. Minor hitches included occasional unclear articulation on the low brass and some strained notes on the high brass. Another flute in the Ensemble could also help this instrument to come out more, especially, in solo passages. However, throughout the entire performance the members of the Ensemble showed thorough preparation and a strong sense of self-discipline.

The concert benefited greatly from the participation in the Ensemble of Godfrey Mifsud on the bass clarinet and Joseph Chircop on the trumpet, both tutors in the DegreePlus programme. Their professional playing at both extremes of the gamut was stunning. Chircop’s interpretation of Purcell’s Trumpet Voluntary was impressive with very well-played trills and secured intonation throughout. Mifsud’s steady passing bass, especially in jazzy pieces, and the full sound he projected on his instrument added to the sense of assurance that strongly characterized this performance. The concert ended up with a medley of popular Christmas songs; a perfect way to end a Christmas concert that augurs well to this newly-launched university Ensemble.

Alison Saguna