MaltaMedia.com

The Band of the Armed Forces of Malta has just returned from Monchengladbach, Germany, where it was invited to perform during the 27th Edition of the annual Musikfest which took place between Thursday 31st May and Sunday 3rd June 2012.

Since 1965, the City of Kaiserslautern in conjunction with NATO’s Air Command at Ramstein, have been organizing this Music Festival featuring military bands from Allied or Partnership for Peace nations. Several elite bands took part in the event, amongst them; The Band of the Royal Corps of Signals, HM Kings Guards of Norway, The German Federal Republic Defence Drill Team and the Royal Air Force Band of Belgium.

This three-hour open-air performance is a collage of precise military music, drill and uniforms from all over the world providing the 18,000 spectators in the Fritz–Walter soccer stadium with an exceptional musical and precision drill experience.

Under the command of the Director of Music, Captain John Ivan Borg, the Armed Forces of Malta Band spent long hours of painstaking preparation and precision training in Malta in order to achieve the highest of standards overseas. The last time that a Maltese military band gave a performance during the Musikfest was way back in 1966 when the predecessors of the AFM, the Royal Malta Artillery Band participated in the 4th Edition of the Musikfest in Monchengladbach.

The Official Opening of the Musikfest saw each band giving a showcase performance to all those present. The AFM band gave a breathtaking display of the highest professional standards. The Band is today also proud to have some of the best Maltese musical talent serving with it.

During the Grand Finale of the MusikFest, all bands marched in together playing the famous Margaretten Marsh. Following the playing of this magnificent piece of music, the Massed Band performed the famous German march “Der Coburger” in full synchronization with a fireworks display. The show was fittingly brought to an end with each Bandmaster conducting the National Anthem of his own native country.

The AFM band took great pride in promoting Malta and the Armed Forces of Malta in Germany. A long serving band member described the atmosphere during the performance as ‘one of a kind and the applause from such a large crowd was proof that our efforts as Maltese Military musicians were appreciated.’ Capt Borg explained that this ‘was a valuable experience to help us enhance and strive to achieve the best possible professional level as a team’

Presently the AFM Band is made up of 52 musicians including the Director of Music.