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The Circolo Musicale Santa Marija was the first Musical society in Gudja,
established about the year 1883. After some ups & downs, the new circolo
Musicale Santa Marija closed its doors for the last time in 1915.
At the beginning of 1919, Messers Abram Zammit , Loretu Thewma, Giuseppi
Gatt and john Baldacchino, started discussions about the formation of a
musical society to help the Feast of Santa Marija and also organise the
feast of our Lady Of Consolation at Gudja. The number of persons supporting
this idea was so encouraging that a premises was officially opened on Sunday
25th May 1919 as "Circolo Musicale Indipendente". On the 7th of
June 1919 the circolo was one of those clubs showing Sympathy for the 4
Maltese persons killed in Valletta, by hosting the flag at half-mast. Later
in 1919, an orchestra was formed under Mro Ferdinandu (Dandu) Falzon.
In 1936, Circolo Musicale Indipendente changed its name to King Edward
VIII Musical Club.
During 1939-1945 war, the club premises were offered to the civil Authorities
to house the refuges after the first air raids of 11th June 1940.
On the 12th April 1942 the premises were damaged during an air attack,
and all documents and Trophies were lost.
On the 10th September 1943 Mro Anthony Micallef was entrusted with the
formation of a band, which was inaugurated on the 13th August 1944 by Mons
Emmanuel Galea, Bishop Of Tralles as Our Lady of Consolation Band Club.
In 1993, Our Lady Of Consolation Band Club changed
its name to Ghaqda
Muzikali Maria Assunta.The Maria Assunta Band is still taking an active
part in the celebrations at Gudja of the feast of Our Lady Of Consolation
which falls on the last Sunday of October, as well as Santa Marija, the
Patron Saint of Gudja on 15th August. In the olden times, when people were
very poor, the local Festa was the only means of entertainment, wearing
their best clothes, having a special dinner and participating in the celebrations.
Today the standard of living has improved but the tradition of the Local
Festa is still very strong. Since its formation in 1919, the Society had
many distinguished visitors, amongst them the Governor of Malta, The Presidents
of the Republic of Malta and Church Dignities.
The Following persons served the Society as:
1927-1930 - Loretu Thewma
1930-1938 - Pietru Barbara
1938-1945 - Stiefnu Zammit
1945-1947 - Nazzarenu Calleja
1947-1956 - Joseph Vassallo
Ferdinandu Falzon (Orchestra)
Anthony Micallef 1943-1946
Anthony Micallef 1948-1949
Joseph N Farrugia 1949-1950
Joseph M Bilocca 1950-1992
Emmanuel Spagnol
1994-1997
Joseph N Farrugia
1997-2002
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History