In 2018, Dr. Jennifer M. Barker, Professor of Music Theory and Composition at the University of Delaware in the United States, decided to launch “The Joseph Vella Award in Composition from the University of Delaware”, in his memory and honour. The inaugural 2018 Award went to promising composer Christian R. Johnson.

Dr Barker maintained her promise to turn this initiative into an annual award, and just announced that the recipient of the 2019 Joseph Vella Award in Music Composition is promising Colombian composition student Jorge Ivan Ramirez Marin.

Mr Ramirez Marin is currently following a Masters degree at the University of Delaware, and also intends continuing his music studies in Europe. He was presented with the award on Friday 19th 2019.

A heartfelt thank you from Joseph Vella`s family to Dr Barker and the University of Delaware for contributing to keep alive Maestro Vella`s legacy. Dr Barker recently also wrote an outstanding tribute to Maestro Vella, which was read out during the commemorative event relating to the launch of Maestro Vella`s bust in Villa Rundle Gardens, Victoria Gozo.