For the fifth time in its history, the Saint Lawrence Band Club was the musical ambassador of Vittoriosa and Malta, with its visit in Viagrande, Sicily from Saturday 13 to Tuesday 16 January 2018. The Saint Lawrence Band was invited to perform in the feast of Saint Mauro. This meant that the Saint Lawrence Band began the year celebrating its 135 anniversary fro its foundation with a bang, since these musical performances abroad were a huge success.
On Saturday 13 January, the first day of this visit, the group composed of musicians and supporters of the Saint Lawrence Band departed to Sicily and visited Mount Etna, where one could enjoy magnificent views and also snow. Soon following lunch, the group visited Catania, while in the evening, the first visit to Viagrande was made where the group assisted to the lighting show synchronised with fireworks.
On Sunday 14 January, the Saint Lawrence Band Club participated for the first time in the feast of Saint Mauro. Marking the eve of the feast, the Saint Lawrence Band Club performed festive marches in Viagrande’s main roads early afternoon, and later on accompanied a procession with the relic of Saint Mauro. Both musical performances of the Saint Lawrence Band were described as very successful and undoubtedly honoured Vittoriosa and Malta.
On Monday 15 January, the Saint Lawrence Band Club played festive marches along the main streets of Viagrande where the Mayor of this Sicilian town was accompanied from his home to the main Parish Church where the Mass of the feast was being held. At noon, the Birgu Band Club performed a Musical Concert under the baton of Mro Jonathan Abela in the main Square of Viagrande. Following this concert, the Saint Lawrence Band Club accompanied the first stages of the procession with the statue of Saint Mauro. This concluded the musical performances of the Saint Lawrence Band Club, and rubber stamped the Birgu Band Club as an exceptional musical ambassador of Malta.
On Tuesday 16 January, the group visited the City of Taormina and following that, the Shopping Centre Porte di Catania till befre the flight back to Malta which was scheduled for late at night. There is no doubt that this success was thanks to the fruitful collaboration between the Band Conductor, Musicians, supporters and organisers. These four days showed t hat all participants had one objective in mind, that of enhancing the Saint Lawrence Band’s reputation as not only the main Band Club of Vittoriosa, but one of the most successful ones in Malta.