On Sunday 25th October 2009, the Victory Philharmonic Society of Xaghra celebrates the 111th Anniversary of its foundation.

This band was founded in 1898 on the initiative of Rev. Joseph Diacono, the then parish priest of Xaghra and subsequently the first Archpriest when the Xaghra Parish was raised to Archpresbyteral in 1893. The original name was ‘La Vittoria’. The first bandsmen were under the musical direction of the Maltese conductor, Mro. Eduardo Farina. It was a great pity that some disgruntlements between members of the first committee led to the downfall of the band in 1906. However, on the initiative of Francis Camilleri and Michael Farrugia, the band was reactivated and built again in 1934 and from the onwards, it never stopped giving contribute in the musical sphere of the country.

The Victory Band has a long story of success. It was always led by brave conductors, namely Michael Farrugia (1934 – 1960), Joseph Camilleri A.MusLCM (1960 – 1971), Nazzareno Refalo (1971 – 1977), Anton Bonnici (1977 – 1993) and Joseph Galea LCM (1993 – present). The band organises two main concerts during the year… the first one occurs on the eve of Palm Sunday, consisting of sacred music for the Holy Week celebrations and the other one is the annual programme on the occasion of the titular feast of the Nativity of Our Lady (generally on 4th September).

Between 1958 and 1967, the Victory Band was the main protagonist in presenting the formal request of the Xaghra people to Pope Paul VI in order to elevate the Collegiate Church to a status of minor Basilica. This title was bestowed on 26th August 1967 through the works of H.E. Mgr Nicholas Cauchi, the then Apostolic Administrator and subsequent Bishop of Gozo.

Between 19th September and 4th October 1994, the Victory Band of Xaghra paid its first visit to the United States – it was in fact the first Maltese band to visit this country. In September 1999, the band participated in the commemorative feasts organised by the Xaghra parish on the occasion of the 25th Anniversary of the Crowning of the titular statue of Our Lady of Victories (Il-Bambina).

In April 2006, the Victory Philharmonic Society was the only band in Gozo (apart from the Leone band of Victoria) who participated in the special feasts organised by the Leone Philharmonic Society and the Cathedral parish, commemorating the 50th anniversary since the devout statue of Saint Mary was donated to the Cathedral (29th April, 1956). The Victory band is the only Gozitan choir having its own choir – the Nativitas choir which is gaining popularity in religious services around the island.

This 111th anniversary will be commemorated with this programme:

Saturday 24th October:

Eve of the anniversary. 6.30pm: Solemn Mass at the Collegiate Basilica of Maria Bambina (Xaghra) led by Mgr Archpriest Carmelo Refalo together with Rev. Can. Julian Refalo Rapa, Spiritual Director of the Society and Rev. Fr. Michael Curmi, the first director of the Nativitas choir. The Nativitas choir animates mass under the direction of Silvana Agius and organist Ivan Attard.

Sunday 25th October:

The day of the anniversary. From 2.00pm onwards: A social activity in the main hall “Dun Alwi Camilleri”.

Tuesday 3rd November:

Commemoration of the departed bandsmen, conductors, spiritual directors and members of the society. During the month of November, a special mass is organised for the suffrage of the departed members of the Victory Philharmonic Society. 6.00pm: Solemn Mass de requiem led by Rev. Can. Julian Refalo Rapa, Spiritual Director of the Society, and animated by the Nativitas choir at the Xaghra Basilica. Soon afterwards, a pilgrimage to the parish cemetery is held where bouquets and flowers are laid in the chapel and prayers are said.

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