Maestro Carmelo Caruana | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 3, 1927 |
| Died | January 17, 2005 (aged 77) |
| Nationality | Maltese |
Carmelo Caruana (November 3, 1927 - January 17, 2005) was born in Luqa.
Childhood
editEver since he was young, he had close ties with the Band of St. Andrew since his father was an active member in the club and member of the Committee. His father, Gio Batta Caruana, was for several years the Conductor of the Band, cashier, as well as President during the War between 1944 and 1945. Because of this, he always took his son to the club with him whenever he went. Caruana was also a committee member and served in various positions, such as Secretary and Archivist. He served the committee as an archivist in 1952 when the band was celebrating 70 years since it's foundation. He was inaugurated the club present with new instruments on a new musical archive. Precisely in 2002 when the Association recalled the 50th year of this event Unity memento presented to him as well as Frans Mifsud, the only two that were still alive at the time. Caruana was one of the first to be appointed an Honorary Member of the Association.
Undoubtedly the greatest talent that Caruana possessed was in the musical field. As was customary in those times, just before the Second World War, members or Bandsmen would teach what they knew to others. There were no schools of music. In the case of Caruana, he was taught by Ġan Patist, his own father. Maestro Vincenzo Caruana Spiteri, and Sant Band Association son Andrew was his uncle, his father's brother. With St. Andrew's band he came ringing in the quarter. I continued his studies and after Mro Antonio Muscat Azzopardi teaches harmony and violin at Agostino Mro Camilleri.
Musical Career
editStart
editFor a long time the church was part of Maestro Lorenzo Galea of Birgu and Mro Camilleri, known to many religious services in various churches of Malta and Gozo. He began his career as Head Band with St. Andrew where directed to several times as "co-director" of the band. The first time Banda led the St. Andrew officially as a substitute of Maestro A. Muscat Azzopardi was on 15 August 1949, who then directed Hynix Band several times. The Headmaster of the time, Mro. Antonio Muscat Azzopardi, Head believed that Caruana had great musical talent and performed by all to help this talent issue outdoors. It was a habit of Mro. Antonio Muscat Azzopardi to foster the Caruana allows it directs the concerts by the band. I was watching them after the concert to discuss the selected music, as well as direction.
After the War with Malta practically all demolished, the Banda St Andrew always remained active with concerts. Caruana along with several bandsmen was their happiness that release music and play day every evening. Apart Caruana (quarter) trawmu several exceptional bandsmen including the present Headmaster of Saint Andrew Banda Mro Paul Schembri (euphonium), John Calleja (kurunetta), GianMari Busuttil (low), Joseph Bartolo (trombone) and several other. Bandsmen of great talent has distinguished Caruana uses their services ran as Headmaster of other Bands around Malta.
Other habit that helped improve the talent of Caruana was Mro Muscat Azzopardi was purchase several orchestral scores to be rearranged for our band and for l'Isle Adam Band of Rabat where Mro Muscat Azzopardi was also Headmaster. Caruana was left to arrange the music. Caruana definitely still known for musical compositions and arrangements made for bands.
When I enter in his study where, do I compose and arrange the music you entered temple. Wherever you turn your face to see books, sheet music, CD's all related to music. L'impressive amount of arrangements that had shelved and jimperssjonak because when I issaqsih to any piece of music, was tell you, "Yes I have two arrangements". He could prepare such performances to be executed by the hand as that led him well as other bands. Evidence of this Caruana was appointed Honorary several bands with Malta. Among these undoubtedly find a Band Saint Andrew, Lourdes Paola Band, Banda Beland Zejtun, of Birzebbugia, of Cospicua, of Qormi and St Lawrence of Birgu.
For his musical talent was chosen as Head of Banda Maria Mater Gratiae of Haz Zabbar in 1963 and ran for ten years Head. In 1969 with the same band that led the Anthem Sung to the Apostle St. Andrew on the Feast f "Hal Luqa.
The King's Own Band
editIt was in 1973 when to joined as Headmaster of the King's Own had to leave the Band of Haz Zabbar. In the club of the City is ga Banda had been more than ten years as assistant, teaching the trainees and to assist the Major Head Anthony Aquilina. It was also a band musician with this band where he played the clarinet Piccolo. The first time led the King's Own was the Feast of Our Lady of Lilies in Mqabba in 1973. A year later in 1974 was celebrated ic Centenarju the establishment of the Society and King's Own Band. The King's Own That the direction of Caruana undertook Manoel Theatre program where the Symphony performed for Struensee of Mayerbeer and Symphony, Dal Mondo Nuovo 'of Dvorak all major b'applawsi ceased. Who then onwards only successes with programs annually to King's Own Band Banda was executing around Malta and Gozo, as well as programs inside the Catholic Institute in Floriana. Can say that the majority of his musical career to know this band which lasted for 29 whole year. In 2002 he had to retire for health reasons, his appreciation of the work that made this the band with the committee appointed as Headmaster Emeritus.
Other Bands
editCaruana was also Head of Banda Christ King of Paola between 1987 and 1993.
For sixteen years the band also managed Shipyard where he was employed as "draftsman.
He always worked to foster and teaching the beauty of music. Many remember the program of Peter Paul Ciantar, Siesta daily afternoon on FM whelk. This was a radio program where the Maltese were asking for classic ta'muzika played several parcels. Every Thursdays Mr Caruana Ciantar was callers to radio to discuss any particular composer. Also during concerts was explaining about the music loves to be played.
The Musical Society St. Andrew always found the support of Maestro Carmelo Caruana. Was wholeheartedly be shabu encounters members of our Society. Whenever the Society had a piece of music that was'll forward it to the archivist, Senza interests. Also a few occasions when in the current Headmaster has ndispost he was directing the band instead. It was always an honor to be directed banda any occasion by Head of that quality, especially from a man who made a name for over Luqa Malta.
Death
editCaruana died on a Monday, January 17, 2005 at the age of 78. The funeral was at the church of Paola. At his funeral took part two Bands. The Banda Christ King of Paola, b'korteo at Paola. As another Korteo was inside his home village, Luqa, by Banda St Andrew. Several were the bands that have been locked in them, besides the Band Saint Andrew and The Band Christ King of Paola who performed were represented these bands, the King's Own Band of Valletta, the Banda Beland Zejtun, Isle Adam Rabat, Banda San Lawrenz and Prince of Wales of Birgu, Lilly Band and the Mqabba St Mary, St Catherine Band Sugar Zurrieq, Banda Lourdes Paola, St. Joseph of Hal Ghaxaq, Santa Maria Qrendi and Nicolo Isourd of Mosta. All this show of great respect he had this headmaster from bandistika Maltese community.