HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY 

INTRODUCTION

In the late nineteenth century, Malta experienced a big boost forward in music. A substantial number of philharmonic societies were set up and in June, 1898 the first Band Club in Paola was set up with the name  Gran Maestro Fra Antonio De Paula.

According to historical records, it was set up at the home of the cleric Don Carmelo M. Bologna who at that time lived at no.8 Strada Loggia (today renumbered to 45). Don Carm at that time was the Rector of the church of St.Ubaldesca and he worked very hard to set up the band. He can be considered as the pioneer and founder of the band. It is believed that Salvu Carabott and Luigi Galea, known as iz-Zukkletti helped him in his quest.

Art and music had already been established for years as an integral part of the culture of Paola. In August 1881, on the eve of the feast of St.Ubaldesca (who at that time was the patron saint of Paola) the national band San Giorgio,from Cospicua, played a program of classical music. The music played included the overture "Poet & Peasant" of Suppe, the Waldteufel waltz and the selection "Follitto" of Petrella. In those days it was a tradition of the Paolites to invite a musical band for entertainment, with the band normally coming from the Cottonera area.

In this socio-musico-cultural environment the Paolites also had the Wanderers Recreation Club which in September of 1894 gave its first Somking Concert. Some time later, Salvu Carabott organized an orchestra and set up the "Annunziata" club, which was situated a few metres away from the Nazzareno church. This was under the direction of Maestro Prof. G. Giliberti. This orchestra took part in the inauguration ceremony of Teatro De Paola in 1896 under the direction of the same Prof. Giliberti. In this same year one of the concerts from the National Contest of Band Clubs was held in Paola Square.

All these activities that were held in Paola helped a lot and lead to the setting up, in June 1898 of the Gran Maestro Fra Antonio De Paula band. The historian, Emmanuel B. Vella later recorded from a conversation that he had with Dun Carm that "the musical instruments were bought and the band was immediately set up".

THE FOUNDING OF THE G.M. FRA ANTOINE DE PAULA BAND
June 1898

According to Emanuel B. Vella's Book 'Storja ta' Hal Tarxien u Rahal Gdid (Pawla)' published by Empire Press in 1932,

"Mal-qawma il-kbira f'Rahal Gdid ghall-ahhar tas-seklu li hareg bdiet ukoll tinhass il-hajra ghat-twaqqif ta' banda. Dun Karm Bologna li kien Rettur ta' Santa Baldiska, rewwah kemm seta' u gabar l-ewwel studenti fid-dar tieghu stess. F'Gunju tal-1898 infetah l-ewwel kazin taht l-isem tal-Gran Maestro Fra Antonio De Paula; inxtraw l-istrumenti u bdiet tassew il-banda."

The above extract found on page 291, states quite clearly that the Society set up its band and opened its club for the first time in June 1898. Vella states that the musical instruments were bought and the club was named 'Gran Maestro Fra Antonio De Paula'. 

According to Vella it was Don Carmelo Bologna, the Rector of the Church of St. Ubaldesca, who gathered the first music students in his own house and encouraged the founder members to establish a band in Paola.

It is a historical fact that on Sunday, 19^th August 1900, the first Band from Paola made a march along the main roads of the village. It accompanied the artistic statue of St.Ubaldesca amongst fireworks and a large crowd of people and children all carrying flags and bandalori in their hands. This enthusiasm for the band and the feast can still be felt and experienced to this same very day.

In August 1900 the band moved to its new premises which today houses the Hibernians F.C. It remained in this location for two to three years. 

Of course the band club had its teething problems and due to some difficulties had to temporarily close its doors. But on the same page 291 Vella emphasizes the fact the the "same" club was reopened in June 1910. This is what he means when he writes:

"L-imsemmi kazin rega fetah f'Gunju 1910 u baqa' miftuh sal-lum."

THE SOCIETY'S REVIVAL

The enthusiasm for the band was once again at its highest in 1910. Rumours that Paola was going to be made a parish increased the motivation. Two of its pioneers, namely Salvatore Carabott and Luigi Galea, together with Vittorio Pace, Emmanuele Grech and Ernesto Cutajar revived the Society, keeping the original name as that chosen in 1898. Records of meeting minutes show these five people as Fondatori (founders) with a Data Ammissione 10 Agosto 1910. This date is almost a month after the decree pronouncing Paola as a parish which was issued on 12^th July, 1910.

The Register of Philharmonic Members names "Ernesto Bajo, 10 Agosto, Socio Fondatore; Antonio Pace, 10 Agosto 1910, Socio Fondatore" respectively and then keeps on listing other names. The first Band Director was Mro. Carlo Ronsisvalle.

The Society and the Band were known officially (according to historical records) as Circolo e Filarmonica G.M. De Paula, Casal Paula.

The G.M. Fra Ant. De Paula band soon became quite popular, especially in the Cottonera area. In 1912 it was invited to play during the feasts of St.Laurence and St.Dominic in Vittoriosa. It was always most welcome in a number of the surrounding and neighbouring villages, namely Zejtun, Luqa, Gudja and Ghaxaq.

On the 11^th of January, 1914, the new premises in Paola Square were inaugurated. A fair to raise money for the new uniforms was held on the eve of the feast of St.Peter and St.Paul - on this occasion an amateur orchestra accompanied the Banda De Paula .

Another important event took place in August 1916 in the meeting of the Second Anniversary of the First Word War. This was held on the Granaries, in Floriana. After the meeting, during which it was unanimously approved by all those present to continue the war till the collapse of Germany, the band played marches up to the Governor's Palace. Six days later after the signing of the Armistice, in November, 1918, the band performed a Victory march along the streets of Paola.

Being situated in an industrial district, the band club had its representatives on the National Assembly of 1919 - these were Antonio Nicholas, Luigi Flamini and Francesco DeGiovanni. The aim of this assembly was to prepare a new Constitution for the country.

The 1930s were golden years for the De Paule Band eiyh Mro. Joseph Stivala leaving the band a prestigious musical record.

On October 26th, 1949 the Band, ably led by Mro. Carmelo Baldacchino, performed a memorable programme in Queen's Square, Valletta for the occasion of the Episcopal jubilee of H.E. Mons. Michael Gonzi, Metropolitan Archbishop.

The Society has changed its club location a number of times and had to face a lot of difficulties, amongst them the disaster left by World War Two in February, 1942.

The club settled in its new location, 120, Paola Square, Paola on Easter Sunday, 21st April 1946 which was inaugurated and blessed by the then Archbishop, Mons. Sir Michael Gonzi.

THE LATER YEARS

In 1993 during an Extraordinary General Meeting, the society was officially named "Socjeta Filarmonika Gran Mastru Fra Antoine De Paule - Banda Kristu Re".

The popularity and fame synonym with  the band are nowadays also well known abroad. In 1995 it accepted an invitation to play a number of programs and concerts in Dandas, Toronto, Canada on the occasion of the feast of St.George. On this same occasion the band visited Detroit, U.S.A. and played in a number of Maltese clubs. In fact it is the first Maltese band to have played in U.S.A.

A year later, the band had another successful overseas visit in Germany and Austria.

In 1997, during the feast of Christ the King, the band played a march with the Pollham Band of Pollham, Austria.

In 1999, the Society was invited to take part in the 26th Century celebrations of the City of Marseille, France. The peak of this visit was the participation in a huge parade in which about 6000 people took part. The people were divided in different groups, all with different nationalities from all around the world.

The band has participated in the National Competition for Bands winning first prize in January 1998 and placing second in January, 1993.

OTHER HISTORICAL INFORMATION