Mnarja Band

The Mnarja Philharmonic Society was set up on July 7th, 1967. A group of young enthusiastic Nadurin, led by Joe Curmi and Leli Vella, wanted Nadur to have its own band. Triggered by the enthusiasm which came along with the declaration of the Basilica, the Mnarja Band was formed to promote music and culture in Nadur. The first Mnarja Band had 65 band players - all from Nadur. Today, the Mnarja Band is broadening its horizons and has so far performed in Sicily, Italy, France and Germany. It also hosts Nadur's MBC Theatre at December 13th Street.

Click here for an interview with Mnarja Band President Charlie Xuereb.

Photos: Mnarja Band in Engen

Mnarja Band together with the German band from Engen.  Mnarja 2001 ^

NADUR PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY - A Dream.

by Alan Cordina

The need of a band in Nadur had always been felt. We know that there were some attempts without any results.  We know about the band ‘Calypso’ and the ‘ Nadur Philharmonic Society’ that existed somewhere around the 1890.  For some reason or other these two bands stopped after a very short time.

It had to be the patriotic movement, some thirty four years ago, exactly on Saturday July 7th 1967, a memorable day, that a group of more than eighty people, among adults and youths, encouraged by the cultural movement met together to form a Committee and a band.  Our fathers were proud that our church was raised to the title of ‘Basilca’, but one thing was missing – a local Band.

Everything was because of these brave people, who met in the Parish house at Parish Priest Street, who accepted the challenge and opened a new chapter in our history - that of the ‘Mnarja’ Band.  A committee of seven persons was chosen for this hard task that requested strategy, imagination, dedication, sacrifice and above all, courage.

The truth is that one had to have great courage to accept the role of a member in a new society, and to unite a band during those hard times.  They had no money, the only thing they had was courage and faith, and like their ancestors they worked hard to move the culture in Nadur a step forward.

It is not easy to understand all the problems that existed to those who thirty four years ago changed Nadur completely.  I am sure that they were ready to lose hope and their hard work, but I am sure also that they did not know what was awaiting them in the near future.  I am certain that no one guessed that in a very short time, we would have a band in Nadur.   

…The Beginning

All the work and sacrifices done gave their fruit less than year from when the first committee was formed.  On the June 16th 1968, a group of 56 musicians played for the first time in front of a public audience in the Nadur Square.  The public applauded and cheered the band for it was a remarkable achievement that no one had ever dreamt about some eleven months before.  And exactly when the Band began playing the march written by the famous composer Vincenzo Ciappara…’Inauguration’, all the people present showed their enthusiasm by a continuous applause. This was the beginning of our Band.

The economic and administrative problems that encountered the band were huge, especially its organization of the band which for some time was left drifting alone without no one to guide it.  It was only for the musicians and the committee that the band had strength enough to continue and move on.

 …Against all odds

Thirty-three years have passed from the first time that the band first played, and not everything during these years was smooth.  The persons who formed the first committee accepted a task that if it had to happen now the results would certainly be different.  It is not easy to create a band, buy the instruments and the build a band club.  The formation of a Band and the buying of the instruments requires a great effort…but to buy an old place, demolish it and erect a club is an extraordinary investment.

Throughout this thirty-three year period, the Mnarja Band had its glorious times but also periods of uncertainty. Although all the committees of the band always faced problems, they always worked hard together and brought our Band to a high profile that it enjoys today.

Today some of these pioneers are not with us, some retired and others, although not in there youth days, are still contributing to our Society.  Among these, the Honorary President and the secretary of the Society Mr. Joseph Curmi who was a member of the first committee and currently still holds the position of the secretary of the Society.  To everyone who helped in bringing our Band to the position that it is occupying today, on behalf of the committee I extend my gratitude and thanks. If it was not for them who had courage enough, who had 'Nadur blood', who made sacrifices, who did not stop when facing the first problems …we could not enjoy the Mnarja Band we have today. 

Today we thank everyone who, in some way or another, helped in creating our Band, because all of you kept working for something, this is for a better Nadur. I wish that the Committee, the musicians, the members and everyone else willing to be part of a great Society work together in harmony to keep our roots strong and one day our children will be proud of what we are now doing to keep our Band as strong as ever.

Mnarja Band Club ^

A great role during feast days ^