The Santa Maria Accordion Band, Malta’s only accordion band, visited the Netherlands on the invitation of the Swentibold Accordion Orchestra.
The Maltese band was founded in 1992 and is directed by Marthese Busuttil Cassar. The Dutch orchestra, directed by Henke Tiebosch, was founded in 1967 and comprises 35 members. It has already performed in Malta and hosted the Santa Maria Accordion Band in Holland earlier this month.
The two bands performed on their own as well as together in concerts in Salvius church in Limbricht and at the MFC De Grous in Stein. The Swentibold band members also organised visits to Salvius Castle and Maastricht and a canal trip, among other activities.
The aim of both bands is to attract more people to accordion music and to entice more students to play this instrument.