Culture of Qala

Ite Ad Joseph

The Ite ad Joseph Band is the official band of the village of Qala is one of eleven bands on the island Gozo. It was established on 8 December 1996 and just recently marked its first tenth anniversary. Since then the band has offered numerous services and most of Gozo's feasts on an annual basis mainly at the villages of Nadur, Ghajnsielem, Xewkija, Xaghra, Fontana, Kercem, Sannat, Zebbug and at the St. George's feast in the capital Victoria. Also, the band has had services in a number of localities in Malta.

Over the years, the Ite ad Joseph Band grew to become a medium-sized Gozitan band with an emphasis on quality service. It has issued two CDs so far, one in 2001 and another in 2004 on the occasion of the Centenary Celebrations. Between 20 and 26 September 2001 a number of Ite ad Joseph bandsmen participated with the Sicilian Band of Salina at Isola Verde. In September 2005 the band visited and performed in Arvika in the region of Varmland in Sweden. On other occasions a number of bandsmen performed in Siros in Greece.

The band is composed of about 35 regularly practicing and attending bandsmen and women and 39 students studying music, all from the village of Qala. As is the tradition in Gozo, a number of bandsmen and women are invited from outside the village to support the band on most occasions.

The Ite ad Joseph committee is presided by Raymond Tabone, Joseph Gatt is the assistant secretary and Simeon Spiteri is the treasurer and Steve Bartolo is a member. The band is presently under the direction of Mro. Antoine Mercieca. All official committee meetings are held at the Ite ad Joseph Band Club at 12 St. Joseph Square, Qala, Gozo.

The membership base counts to over