The climax of the launch season of Manoel Theatre’s Education Programme, Toi Toi, was a free concert held in the Theatre’s courtyard for children and young adults with profound and multiple learning disabilities on Monday 11 June. The students from St Clare College San Miguel Primary Resource Centre in Pembroke and St Benedict College Helen Keller Secondary Education Resource Centre in Qrendi were treated to a variety of music ranging from traditional tunes such as Carmen’s Toreador’s song and Beethoven’s Ode to Joy to more popular ones such as the theme tune from Pink Panther as well as a touch of the local with Lanċa Ġejja. The music was specifically chosen to provide an array of rhythms and melodies. The students interacted by playing hand percussion instruments along with the music. All of them responded to this music-making with much enthusiasm.
Rosetta De Battista, who leads the Toi Toi programme at the Theatre, explained the objective behind the concert; “Toi Toi’s aim is to share the joy of the arts with all children and young adults. Especially with these children we witnessed how music can penetrate so deeply. The effect was evident in the their smiles and reactions.” As a Music Therapist herself, Rosetta emphasised the significance of the benefits of such concerts.
Twenty students attend San Miguel Primary Education Resource Centre on a full time basis while services such as hydrotherapy, ICT, multisensory, optimusic, and cognitive sessions are offered to over forty babies, toddlers and pupils of primary school age on a weekly or fortnightly basis, depending on the needs of the individual pupil. At the end of the concert, Josephine Mamo, Head of San Miguel shared her own reactions, “This was a unique experience for the students of San Miguel and Helen Keller resource centres. Our students learn and experience life though their senses and this concert provided a sensorial and pleasurable experience to our students. They really enjoyed themselves and just as students from mainstream schools attend concerts, our students were also able to attend a concert, thanks to Toi Toi and Manoel Theatre.”
Ray Attard, Manoel Theatre CEO, added, “I am very satisfied with the decision we have taken at Teatru Manoel to embark on such a Children’s Educational programme. We have managed to bring hundreds of children to this Theatre and the good thing about it is that they enjoyed the experience so much they want to come back for more next season. We will be doing our utmost to continue building on this success and to meet the increasing demand.”
The Toi Toi programme will return in October with a full schedule of events. For more information visit the Toi Toi section of the Manoel Theatre’s website at www.teatrumanoel.com.mt