The new committee didn't have to look very far to fill Cosimo's big shoes as his faithful and most dedicated assistant band conductor for 10 years, John Chetcuti applied for the role of Musical Director and held this title for the next 5 years, passionately devoting most of his time towards musically enhancing the MQVB.
John has been with the band since it's inception and has proved to be a very worthy Band Conductor. With his Maltese background, his dedication and knowledge of music, John took the band to another era, teaching the band some great marches, medleys and popular numbers. John also took the band to some great performances in those 5 years, especially at Our Lady Queen of Victories Feasts in October, the 2001 Concert in Melbourne, but the highlight of his musical career as the band's Musical Director, was no doubt, his last year instigating the most popular 20th Anniversary Concert, A Musical Odyssey in 2001 (above) and the making of the band's first Compact Disc. John has been the backbone of this band for a good number of years arranging and composing music which included his inaugural march "TO MY BAND " followed by his latest march named after his two deceased grandmothers "FELICIA-ANNE."
The Maltese Queen of Victories Band is one of the most successful Maltese Associations in South Australia, which manages an extremely busy schedule with never-ending administrative, financial and musical committments. A quarterly Newsletter "The Sound Of Music" is published by the MQVB and it is distributed to it's members and to other Societies and Groups. In the band's 20th Year the band was invited to once again travel to Melbourne, this time to take part in the Good Friday Procession in the streets of St. Albans where the Maltese Own Band and the St. Albans Melita Band also took part. Some 8000 people witnessed this colourful and popular Maltese Style procession. On the Sunday at the Feast of the Risen Christ (L-Irxoxt) the band performed in front of a very appreciative audience inside the Errington Hall. Once again John introduced vocals in his concert inviting young Lauren Grima to sing Celine Dion's " My Heart WiIl Go On " which proved to be a successful addition to the Concert.
The band shifted its headquarters from Christ The King Parish Hall to the Maltese Cultural Centre in Beverley South Australia. A place where the Society can now hold their Band Rehearsals, Music tuition, administrative meetings and also a place where the members can interact socially.
The 20th Anniversary Concert " A Musical Odyssey in 2001 " marked a milestone in this band's history. With the diverse challenges this association has tackled over the 20 years, it is unquestionably an outstanding achievement.
With the departure of Musical Director, John Chetcuti, after months of searching for a suitable replacement, the band found the services of Co-Musical Directors Pasquale Carpinelli and Rosemarie Andreacchio, both talented Musicians and tutors of Italian background. Together with the Assistant Musical Director Samantha Chivers (nee' Carabott) the band was once again in good hands to tackle the future.
Their first performances were at the St. Paul's Feast in Adelaide and in St. Albans in Victoria for Easter in 2002. Together they have since introduced new music to the band with an Italian Flavour mixed with some American style Popular Numbers and still continuing with traditional Maltese style Music.
Pasquale and Rosemary adapted well to the MQVB members and were welcomed by the Maltese Community as proven at the St. Paul's Feast in February, the Imnarja Feast in July and the Queen of Victories Feast at Lockleys in October. |
