Equality in music

Mandy Darmenia Equality in Music is a project implemented by the Radio Valo Team Malta within the Down Syndrome Association.

Out there, and I dare say sometimes even those close to them, people tend to underestimate the abilities of persons who have Down syndrome. The Radio Valo Team is made up of youths who have Down syndrome. This Team was the brains behind the introduction in Malta of the Figurenotes system. This was made possible by funds of 'The Presidents' Award for Creativity'.

The Radio Valo Team asked Mr Marrku Kaikkonen, (Director of The Special Music Centre Resonaari in Helsinki, Finland) to come over to Malta to show them how this system works. The Down Syndrome Association helped the Team to find a professional music teacher to assist them in making their dream of playing music come true. Ms Sarah Spiteri succeeded in doing this very well!

Mr Kaikkonen visited Malta twice. The first visit, in 2016, was aimed at introducing the system to the youths themselves and also to the teacher, Ms Sarah Spiteri. The second visit was very recent, in October 2017, to monitor and help out with the small concert the Radio Valo Team did at San Anton Palace in the presence of Her Excellency the President of Malta and Hon Agius Decelis, Parliamentary Secretary for the Rights of Persons with Disability. The group did great and was applauded both by Her Excellency and by the Parliamentary Secretary. The musicians were very proud and honoured to have their first concert at San Anton Palace and in the presence of Her Excellency. In fact, it was Her Excellency herself who had invited the Team to organise their concert at the palace. They will surely never forget this moment!

During the months between Mr Kaikonnen’s visits, the group met on a weekly basis to practice their music under Ms Sarah’s guidance. They worked really hard for the concert and showed great dedication and the result was awesome! Mr Kaikonnen was also surprised with the result and he said that the group was ready to go a step further. This was music to our ears as supporters and the teacher herself. It is our intention to continue what has just started.

This was a pilot project and it worked. The intention behind this project was to: • introduce the figurenotes sys

tem in Malta. • bring this system to the attention of all the music teachers in Malta. I cannot however not mention that unfortunately this did not happen. Although on his initial visit, Mr Kaikonnen was scheduled to meet interested music teachers, no one turned up except for Ms Sarah. To add insult to injury, another meeting for music teachers was organised at the same time and place! • to make this system available to all who need it. We are glad that during the various meetings we had with our Prime Minister, the Hon Parliamentary Secretary for the Rights of Persons with Disability, the Hon Minister for Education on the subject, all approved this system and have shown interest in making it happen for the benefit of all persons with disability.

We, the Radio Valo Team, the Down Syndrome Association and us supporters, appreciate a lot that these persons in authority who can make this happen, understood the necessity for this system for our peers, children and society. One can say that this goes hand in hand with what the UNCRPD states.

I have been supporting and giving a helping hand to this group for quite some time now. This group never ceases to amaze me. I have literally experienced the mile stones they made and I am happy and extremely proud of them. Recently another youth, Ditmar Degiorgio, joined in to help with their support and this encouraged these youths even more. These youths wish, want and prefer us youths to be their supporters and guidance and not just their parents. Both Ditmar and myself urge you youths to give some of your time to support other youths in their initiatives / goals.

I would like to take this opportunity to point out to the authorities concerned that they should at all times invite the Down Syndrome Association and the Radio Valo Team around the table where decisions are to be made about how to introduce and make this system work with all those who need it. Were it not for the hard efforts and work of these persons, such a system would not have been yet introduced here in Malta. These young musicians who have Down syndrome, their supporters, together with Ms Sarah, are the experts in this field and their continuous involvement with regards should be guaranteed. You can watch the music concert on https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=yo_dGUoTP2I&t=376s