Hermann Farrugia Frantz

I compose mainly liturgical and sacred music to fulfil my duties as a Church music director. With the music that I compose, I try to give the liturgical and sacred text an atmosphere of sounds that elevate the religious rite of worship. In all my compositions sacred or not, I compose music that reflects my feelings, thoughts and produce my own expression of sounds.

Hermann Farrugia Frantz started his first music lessons with the 12th May Band Club, Żebbuġ and pursued his studies with Dr Charles Zammit and Ronnie Debattista, during which period he achieved various certificates and diplomas from British Music Colleges.

In October 1999 Hermann started his musical degree course at the University of Malta. He specialised in composition under the tuition of the late composers Joseph Vella and Charles Camilleri. In 2002 he obtained the BA (Hons.) degree in music from the University of Malta and in 2016 he obtained the fellowship (FLCM) in composition from the University of West London.

In July 2001, he attended a course in composition and conducting at the Aberystwyth Arts Centre in Wales where his composition was ultimately played in Musicfest 2001 at the Aberystwyth Arts Centre Theatre. For this occasion Hermann composed Mask for flute, clarinet, violin, cello and piano and also 4 expressions for 2 Bb Clarinets, played by internationally renowned musicians such as the clarinettist David Campbell.

Hermann Farrugia Frantz composed various works for choir, orchestra, solo instruments, wind and brass band, and also chamber. Among others one can mention Missa De Christo Aeterno Sacerdote (SATB choir, organ and orchestra), Missa de Salutazione Angelica (Soprano, tenor, baritone, SATB choir and orchestra) and the oratorios Marija fil-Qalb Maltija and Canticum Vitae, both performed by the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO).

As a musical director he has been leading the 12thMay Band of Zebbug since 1999 and Marija Assunta Band of Gudja and Marija Annunziata Band of Tarxien. In March 2006, Farrugia Frantz was appointed Musical Director of the Parochial Choir St. Cecilia of Siggiewi and afterwards Provincial Maestro di Cappella by the Order of Fransican Minors in Malta. In April 2006 he formed the Coro Bel Canto which has since grown in reputation and is today one of the leading versatile choirs in Malta. He is also working as Choir and Orchestra Director in various parishes during liturgical functions and concerts. He conducts the Malta Philharmonic orchestra from time to time, one can mention the oratorio Demm fuq il-Verna by Joseph Vella (2010), a revival concert of sacred music by Ferdinando and Giuseppe Camilleri (2013), An Easter Concert of Sacred works by Carmelo Pace (2015). In October 2011 he conducted the 12thMay Band at the Manoel Theatre, among others he conducts the Maltese premiere of the Euphonium Concerto by the famous composer Karl Jenkins, it is performed by the renowned and internationally-acclaimed David Childs.

Hermann Farrugia Frantz is a music teacher in B’kara Middle School, which make part of St. Theresa College.