Results from a survey carried out in 2010 among 90 active band clubs in Malta and Gozo showed a participation of 4,123 resident or trainee band players and 1,426 committee members.

During 2010, total band club participation amounted to 30,134, a rise of 1.6 per cent compared to the previous year. Male affiliates amounted to 78 per cent of the total, despite a rise of 4 per cent in female participation when compared to the previous year.

Resident and trainee band players in 2010 amounted to 4,123 – an increase of 3 per cent when compared to 2009. Of these, 1,546 were trainee band players – 287 paying and 1,259 non- paying trainees. The share of total band club participation of the total population aged 5-84 was estimated at nearly 8 per cent. The largest number of resident band players was recorded in the South Eastern district (21 per cent), and was followed by Gozo and Comino and the Northern Harbour district.

A total of 1,257 performances were recorded in 2010, of which 62 per cent were carried out in the band clubs’ own locality. There was an increase of 49 performances when compared to 2009 levels. The total number of publications produced by the surveyed band clubs stood at 331, at par with the previous year, with the largest proportion published within the Southern Harbour district (27 per cent). Almost half these publications consisted of magazines and leaflets, with the remainder being CDs, DVDs and books.

Total recurrent expenditure during 2010 amounted to €3.3 million, an increase of 12 per cent over 2009. The South Eastern district incurred the largest proportion (24 per cent), followed by the Southern Harbour district. Almost 40 per cent of total recurrent expenditure was utilised for the remuneration of band players.

Total recurrent income registered by these clubs during 2010 reached €2.9 million, virtually unchanged from 2009. Band clubs in the South Eastern district registered the highest income, with a share of 27 per cent of the total. Gozo and Comino registered the lowest share with 11 per cent. Donations were the main income source, making up 31 per cent of recurrent income.

These figures were released today by the National Statistics Office.

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