Army band performs in Bremen festival

The band of the Armed Forces of Malta took part in the 39th Musikschau der Nationen festival for military bands, held annually in Bremen, Germany.

Military bands and dance teams from 10 countries, including Malta, participated in the 2003 festival that attracted more than 45,000 spectators during the seven shows held in the city's congress hall.

This was the second time in three years that the AFM took part.

The AFM band was accompanied by dancers from the YADA Dance Company. This event is held to raise funds for the German War Graves Commission and is considered as the most important "indoor brass band music event" in Europe. The festival has been held since 1964.

The AFM band, comprising 43 musicians under the baton of Warrant Officer John Ivan Borg, together with six YADA dancers, took part in seven shows. The inaugural evening show was performed in front of 6,000 spectators.

The AFM band also performed in a charity concert organised by Thomas Stocker, honorary consul for Malta in Bremen, in aid of poor children in the city.