MCAST, Johann Strauss School of Music and Malta Philharmonic Orchestra Academy to collaborate
MCAST, the Johann Strauss School of Music and the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra Academy yesterday signed a collaborative agreement which will provide an accessible, long-term educational pathway for young musicians so that they may have the opportunity to become professional musicians.
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed at MCAST Main Campus yesterday in the presence of Ministers Evarist Bartolo and Owen Bonnici.
The collaboration between the parties will continue to strengthen and develop the provision of music education on the Maltese Islands between MCAST, the Johann Strauss School of Music and Malta Philharmonic Orchestra Academy in order to ensure a sense of continuity from the early years of music making to the music professional world in music performance, music education and technical fields. The three entities will liaise with each other so that all parties will contribute and young musicians will gain to the maximum.
Minister for Justice, Culture and Local Government Owen Bonnici congratulated MCAST, Johann Strauss School of Music and the Malta Philharmonic orchestra academy on the important collaboration for the arts sector in Malta. Dr Bonnici emphasised the importance of having professional musicians in our country, creating a sustainable arts and cultural sector. This collaboration, he said, will ensure that Maltese talent is cultivated and developed, reducing the need of importing foreign musicians.
Minister for Education and Employment Evarist Bartolo noted how the signing marks a very special moment for the future of Malta’s music education. This col- laborative agreement, between these three entities, is the first step towards a long-term educational pathway for Malta’s young musicians. A pathway which we hope will encourage and motivate young musicians on their long career towards becoming professional musicians.
Dr Silvio De Bono, President of the MCAST Board of Governors, welcomed the initiative and stated “MCAST is proud to contribute by providing professional opportunities for Malta’s up-andcoming young classical musicians. We believe that the emerging musicians who come into our program deserve the very best chance to succeed and we are committed to making this success a reality. With this collaboration we are showing our unerring dedication to artist development and believe that the program will continue to grow from strength to strength in the future.”
Sigmund Mifsud, MPO Executive Chairman added, “Through our joint collaboration we are offering music students in Malta the opportunity to attend MPO orchestral rehearsals and a selection of MPO Concerts for free, as well as to participate in professional master classes with our visiting international musicians. We are also providing them with an opportunity to have a hands-on experience working in the professional music world as interns with our admin and logistics teams, which are fundamental aspects needed for the smooth running of any professional cultural organization. At the MPO we believe that it is crucial for Malta’s young musicians to be given exposure to the workings of the professional musical world, for students to experience the level of musicianship that they are aspiring towards, and for them to witness the dedication and professionalism that is required in order to achieve these standards. It is our hope that this collaborative pathway will provide students with the encouragement, motivation and inspiration needed for them to become Malta’s future professional musicians.”
Mary Ann Cauchi Centre Administrator, Johann Strauss School of Music Malta stated, “Johann Strauss School of Music is Malta’s National School of Music – the place to be if you want to learn music – but first and foremost it is an educational institution. It is the School’s duty to educate society at large from a young age and create educational opportunities and this is a big step in helping society to grow in music and the arts.”