As a parent whose children attend the Johann Strauss School of Music, I have only words of praise for this important and essential educational niche. Head of school Monica Bugeja is the driving force behind a wonderful team of highly motivated and professional teachers. It is always a thrill and a treat in itself to simply walk by the School of Music, which has been moved ‘temporarily’ to North Street, and hear the different sounds of music emanating from this hive of musical activity. (Two years have already passed by and still no sign of the new premises!) Its teachers’ passion for music is reflected in the way our children love and enjoy learning all about music. I hardly think that many of us realize what a talented and dedicated pool of music teachers exists in our local school of music.
As parents, we are, from time to time, invited to attend wonderful concerts performed by our children who are encouraged to either play their instruments in solo pieces or in an ensemble.
One such occasion was held on Saturday 5 May. The parents of the youngest students of the Johann School of Music, Prep 1 and 2, were invited to yet another delightful children’s concert this time ably co-ordinated by the vibrant Ms Moira Azzopardi Barbieri, with the devoted assistance of university students Sylvana Cini, Marie-Claire Cassar and Mauro Farrugia amongst others. Besides being a full time teacher at the School of Music, Ms Moira is also visiting senior lecturer and co-ordinator of the B.Ed (Hons) and PGCE Music Programme in the Faculty of Education where she lectures in Music Methodology to older students.
The Prep 1 and Prep 2 classes of the Johann School of Music are preparatory classes for children aged between six and seven. Their preparation consists of the teaching of basic music awareness. Such classes aim to guide the children to appreciate music and choose the instrument of their choice rather than that of their parent or guardian.
Having attended a couple of rehearsal classes run by Ms Moira before the actual day of the concert gave me an insight into the seemingly magical teaching method she adopts with our children who from such an early age grow to love music and realize that it is after all yet another language with which they can communicate with others. The beauty of it all is that a minority of privileged people only knows this language of music and our children are lucky enough to form part of this privileged minority.
Ms Moira’s love for music works wonders on our young children. She manages to bring to life the dreary studies of theory of music by combining all the key pedagogic ingredients with knowledge, perseverance, motivation and passion, which produce the excellent results she obtains at the end of each scholastic year.
Her 40-strong prep concert consisted of six- and seven-year-old students. A programme of 33 music pieces was presented and played exquisitely by highly motivated budding musicians. The concert itself was a joy.
Besides musical instruments being played solo by 33 young students, Ms Moira trained a 29-strong Orff ensemble who played xylophones, glockenspiels and metallophones as well as a 25-strong choir and five soloists who delighted the proud audience of parents with their singing of various international old folk songs.
The logistics involved in organising and training the keen and very young musicians demand perseverance and vocation, two important qualities required to put up such a concert in less than six weeks successfully. For us parents it was such a treat to see and listen to our little ones perform.
Such a gem of a school indeed requires more overall recognition.
A very big thank you for yet another eventful scholastic year to Ms Bugeja, Ms Moira and all the hardworking teachers and staff that make the School of Music the wonderful school of music it is.
Maria Karlsson