I refer to ‘What made the headlines’, which included a section about the death of Mro Joseph Vella (The Sunday Times of Malta, March 4).
I would like to add that apart from being the musical director of the Astra Opera Theatre, Mro Vella was, since 1970, for an uninterrupted record of 48 years, the musical director of La Stella Band Club.
His last association with this musical society of his native Victoria was on the very morning of his demise, when he directed a recording of funeral marches comprising his two latest works, due to be executed during special functions of the next Holy Week. This was indeed his latest musical feat.
La Stella Band will undoubtedly remain grateful to Mro Vella not only because throughout his leadership it achieved successes both locally and abroad, but mainly because its archives will remain enriched with his numerous musical compositions.