The Qrendi Group Scout Band

[click here to download and hear one of our music sessions]

Ever since the formation of the Qrendi Scout Group, the need arose to establish a modest Scout band within our Group. A band that would give that extra colour during our activities. Within a relatively short time our Scout Council went about to acquire the necessary funds to enable us to procure the necessary instruments in order to conform to other scout bands.

Seeking the assistance of Roderick Bugeja, a renowned musician within the Qrendi Community and an able percussionist, the group selected to set up with an initial percussion band and improve as time and experience permitted.

Hearing of our new venture, Mr. Benny Mifsud promptly donated a Band Master baton to the group in order to get the ball rolling and set our group in the right direction.

The Qrendi Scout Council also decided to ask the assistance of the Qrendi Societies for the sponsorship of an instrument and in a relatively short time St. Mary Band Club, the Nationalist Party, the Qrendi Bocci Club together with Mr. James Green, Mr. Raymond Mifsud and Mr. John Azzopardi came forward and sponsored several instruments. Several other financial donations allowed the group to order the instruments required.

The instruments ordered finally arrived in 1998 whereas the Qrendi Scout Group faced an unforeseen problem, Roderick Bugeja, the person nominated to take over the charge of the Qrendi Scout Band had to complete his final studies and was therefore unable to fulfill his commitment.

The Qrendi Scout Band - 2001

During 2000, Roderick returned and took over the responsibility of teaching our members musical appreciation as a percussion band, whereas no fewer than fifteen scouts turned up wishing to form part of the new established scout band.

The Qrendi Scout Group first outing on Palm Sunday

Regular rehearsals saw the Qrendi Scout Band participate for its first activity during the Palm Sunday pageantry procession. The impact that our modest contribution made on the local community was much admired by one and all. Little did we know that our band would be asked to participate in the majority of religious processions that regularly take place at Qrendi.

Blessing of the Qrendi Scout Band - Sunday 25th May 2002

Blessing the Musical instruments and its members during a Church Parade on Sunday 25th May 2002, the Qrendi Parish Priest Fr Ray Toledo praised the Group for its initiative and assistance whenever the church clergy asked for this.

He elaborated that the church also wanted to form part of the Scout Band and therefore wished also to sponsor one of its instruments as a sign of solidarity. The Group openly thanked Father Toledo for this kind gesture and reminded him of the Scout promise that obliges a scout to do his duty to God and Country and to help others at all times.

The Qrendi Scout Band now actively participates in the majority of our local activities and religious processions.

During the latter part of 2002, Roderick Bugeja was required to proceed abroad to continue his studies and once again the Qrendi Scout Band were left without the right person required to teach our members.

In a relatively short time, Mr. Joseph Psaila a Dockyard employee and mutual friend of Scout Leader Louis Sammut and Committee member Joseph Pace volunteered to take over the band responsibilities. Week after week, Mr. Psaila traveled to Qrendi from Marsacala at his own expense, to assist our group. Joseph’s experience in scout bands was quick to show and once again our scout band prospered under his leadership.