The Vizitazzjoni band of Gharb said that it is pleased to announce the appointment of their new bandmaster, Mro George Apap and his assistant, Jason Camilleri.

George Apap, born in Victoria, Gozo in 1983, started tuition in music theory and clarinet in Eb at the age of six under the late Joseph Bezzina and Victor Debattista. Since 1990 he has been playing the Eb Clarinet with La Stella Band. In 1995 he changed to the Bb Clarinet, making remarkable progress under the expert guidance of Mro Noel Beck and Mro Lawrence Borg. In 1997, while on tour with La Stella Band, he performed his first solo pieces during concerts in Prague and Vienna under the direction of Prof. Joseph Vella. George Apap is a B.Ed. (Hons.) graduate, specialising in Music and Maltese language. He is currently teaching these two subjects in a state college. In 2005 he joined the National Youth Orchestra (Malta). In 2006 he obtained the ALCM diploma and two years later the LLCM diploma in clarinet performance. In 2008, he participated in the 18th Encounter of the Mediterranean Schools of Music in Damascus, Syria, as head of delegation of the Maltese group. During this experience, George participated in numerous conferences and had the opportunity to perform as soloist in one of the recitals at the High Institute of Music. He also attended master classes with Daniel Paloyan (University of Provence, France). Currently, George is furthering his studies in conducting under the guidance of Mro Christopher Muscat. Mro Apap is also the musical director of the Pueri Cantores (Jubilate Deo) choir, in Naxxar.

Jason Camilleri Dip ABRSM, started studying trumpet at the age of 10 in his local band Mnarja under the direction of Joseph Camilleri. In 2000 he was appointed trumpet soloist with the Mnarja band. He continued studying under Mro Joseph Grech. In 2004 he started having theory and more advanced trumpet lessons with Charles Mizzi, where he passed grades 5, 6, 7, 8 with distinction. Mr Camilleri is a professional trumpeter in the Armed Forces of Malta. He is also a member of Windmill Brass Quartet from Malta, as well as first trumpet with Fourtissimo brass trumpet quartet. He is still taking private lessons with Andre Helleur and Mr Mizzi.

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