Prekursur Band annual musical concert hailed as great success

by Gozo News · June 22, 2023

The annual musical concert by the Prekursur Philharmonic Society of Xewkija, Gozo, took place on Tuesday and was hailed as a great success.

The concert marked a memorable occasion in the Society’s history, it said, and was the result of hard work and collaboration with the Culture Directorate of the Ministry for Gozo, the Xewkija Local Council and the Prekursur Philharmonic Society.

The main steps leading to the church parvis was the setting for the concert, with a backdrop of the beautifully illuminated church facade and the towering rotunda – a unique venue for the evening.

The Society said that the audience was entertained by an extensive and richly diverse programme executed under the baton of musical director Mro. Mark Gauci, assisted by Mro. Marvin Grech.

The Xewkija choir “Ulied Il-Battista,” the young singer Gabriella Azzopardi, and young guitarist, Rafael Curmi, rose to the occasion when called in by Mro. Mark Gauci, to join the band. Two Xewkija youths, Rebecca Attard and Mark Attard, presented the evening.

The anthem of the Prekursur Band, Jubilant Rhapsody, opened the repertoire for the evening. This anthem is a composition of Mro. Vincenzo Ciappara, with lyrics by Wenzu Camilleri.

The concert came to a close with Michael Jackson’s song “Heal the World” (adapted for band by Ron Sebregts). There was a magical moment in the square as the choir Ulied il- Battista, under the direction of Amy Rapa, sang along with the band and Mro. Mark Gauci invited the audience to light up mobile during the execution of “Heal the World.”

The music, the glowing lights from the mobiles, and the colourful confetti were a fantastic climax to the evening, as was the well-earned standing ovation.

This event on the second day of the feast marking the birth of St. John the Baptist was attended by the Minister for Gozo Clint Camilleri, Xewkija Local Council Mayor, Hubert Saliba and Mr. Charles Borg, Secretary for the Prekursur Philharmonic Society, all of whom conveyed a message to those present.