Band clubs had 27,326 members last year, of whom 3,524 were resident or trainee musicians.

Band club membership for the year under review dropped by 0.6 per cent (162 members). This decline was mainly a result of downward shifts in trainee musicians. There are 90 band clubs in Malta and Gozo.

Just over a quarter of band club members were women. The highest female presence was among trainees, while the lowest was in band club committees.

The largest number of resident band players in Malta and Gozo was recorded in the South Eastern district (25.2 per cent).

Over 1,200 performances were estimated to have been held by band clubs, of which just over a third were at a locality different to that of the performing band club. In total, performances by band clubs were estimated to have increased by 7.3 per cent when compared to 2014, when the last survey was held.

Total recurrent expenditure during 2017 was estimated at over €4 million, up by 18.6 per cent when compared to 2014. Remuneration of band players accounted for 35.9 per cent of the total recurrent expenditure. On a district level, the South Eastern and Northern Harbour districts spent the most, 27.2 and 22.3 per cent respectively.

Total recurrent income registered by band clubs during 2017 was estimated at €5.1 million, up by 37.8 per cent when compared to 2014. Band clubs in the South Eastern district registered the highest income, with a share of 27.8 per cent of the total. At 7.2 per cent, band clubs in the Northern district
registered the lowest share. Apart from other income, which includes government funds and rents, donations were the next main income source, amounting to 23.4 per cent of the total recurrent income.

Between 2014 and 2017, average expenditure per band club rose from €37,526 to €44,516, while average income per band club rose from €41,049 to €56,572.