Established in 1975, and originally known as the Johann Strauss School of Music situated in Old Bakery Street in Valletta, our school has been one of the most effective governmental schools in the music performance and artistic field. Over the years thousands of students have attended music lessons at the school and many of them furthered their studies both locally and abroad. The School of Music
is now situated in the newly refurbished centralised premises in Hamrun and forms part of the Mikiel Anton Vassalli College (MAVC), a network for specialised Visual and Performing Arts Schools. The School of Music boasts more than 80 teachers, amongst who are some of Malta’s top musicians and pedagogues. These specialized teachers constantly strive to help each student achieve their highest potential in music appreciation, theoretical knowledge, composition, performance and musicianship through exciting and effective music programmes and opportunities. The School of Music offers around twenty-seven different courses, which cater for the young learner and for the advanced student. All the courses are accredited by MFHEA, from MQF Level 1 through to Diploma MQF Level 5. Our youngest students start their musical training through specially designed Music Makers Course, which offers them an opportunity to try out various instruments and provides a solid foundation for the years to come. Students following the Regular Course (Grades 1 to 8) attend a weekly individual performance lesson on the instrument of their choice and a group music theory lesson. Students are also encouraged to participate in at least one Ensemble of their choice throughout the scholastic year. The school caters for the study of practically all the orchestral instruments as well as bagpipe, accordion, saxophone, contemporary guitar, bass guitar, pianoforte and classical voice. In addition to the study of the traditional concert repertoire, students are encouraged to work on various styles including contemporary and jazz, and to endorse works by local composers. The main objective of the School of Music is to prepare students for careers as creative musicians and performers who can successfully contribute to the further development and evolution of the musical heritage. With this in mind, the School also collaborates with various cultural and educational entities, providing our students with a various opportunities to enrich their musical journey. We also offer masterclasses and workshops for students and teachers in which new approaches and methodologies are experienced and explored. Students at the School of Music benefit from unique opportunities in which they can perform varied repertoire in chamber setting and also form part of the various ensembles that participate in various performances both at school level and in various venues around the island throughout the year. Some of these include the cello, clarinet, flute, guitar, saxophone and violin ensembles, jazz combos, the wind band and various other groups that are set up through the hard work of the respective teachers. All music performance courses are combined with the harmonic and historical background gained in the music theory classes. Aural perception, harmony and counterpoint, musical history, orchestration, analysis, sight-singing and performance involve a wide range of activities and strategies for building up our students’ musical profile. The School of Music respects and values the worth of each student, offering individualised and differentiated programmes in the pursuit of knowledge and learning through experience. The open communication between students, staff and administration helps us to achieve a better understanding of the needs of our school as a community whose individual members are a source of creative energy in a diverse and ever-changing musical world. At the School of Music, teachers and admin staff are very proud of the students’ various accomplishments over the years and look forward to more years of creative output.
