For the third year running, La Stella Philharmonic Society will be organizing RockAstra - an open-air spectacle on Republic Street, Victoria on Friday 5 June.
As in the previous editions of RockAstra, La Stella Band will be performing under Mro Sigmund Mifsud, a leading personality in the local music scene.
During the recent press conference launching the event Minister for Gozo Anton Refalo, remarked that such cultural initiatives help in confirming the island as a destination of excellence. On a wider scale, musical events like RockAstra enhance the local cultural calendar. Dr Refalo recognised the potential of the La Stella Band and renewed the Ministry's promise of offering its full support for this large-scale musical event.
Albert Marshall announced that the Malta Council for Culture and Arts is supporting the La Stella Band through a project which was submitted under the Creative Communities scheme, namely a series of master classes which are being held in the context of RockAstra - which aim at instilling further a musical cultural amongst the young musicians in Gozo.
The press conference was also addressed by Michael Formosa, Administrative Secretary of the La Stella Philharmonic Society. He explained how RockAstra was a success story in which the La Stella Philharmonic Society is investing heavily - an opportunity for young musicians to engage in contemporary music and a free of charge bonanza of music and song for music lovers. He thanked the State entities supporting this event and large number of volunteers involved in this large scale production.
Formosa added that besides the concert and attached spectacle, the La Stella Philharmonic Society through the funding from the Creative Communities Scheme Malta Council for Culture and Arts will be organising for the first time Masterclasses sessions in music improvisation. These Masterclasses are targeting musicians that play both woodwind and brass instruments. These sessions are free of charge and will be held at the Visual and Performing Arts Centre in Gozo. These Masterclasses will be directed by Mro Sigmund Mifsud and will involve also Dr Matt McKay (woodwind instruments) and Mro Alex Bezzina, (brass instruments) who are both professionals in their respective sector.
Mro Sigmund Mifsud and Assistant Musical Director of the La Stella Band pointed out that the preparations are running in full swing ahead of 5 June. He commended the effort of the musicians involved, members of the La Stella Band.
During this year's edition, once again the concert will feature a number of top local artists and classic and popular tracks from the repertoire of Queen, Pink Floyd, Bon Jovi, Blues Brothers amongst others.
Victoria Mayor Samuel Azzopardi noted, with gratitude, the efforts of the La Stella Philharmonic Society which through the collaboration of the Local Council will be organising a large-scale concert which will boost in no uncertain way the musical profile of city of Victoria. Victoria's mayor praised this initiative because events organised by the La Stella Philharmonic Society like RockAstra and Festival Mediterannea are keeping Victoria's cultural aspect on a very high scale which give a certain honour to our city.
RockAstra will also feature Teatru Astra's 45-strong children choir - Piccole Stelle directed by Ms Mariella Spiteri Cefai who made reference to the education and artistic opportunity the young members of the choir have when involved in such events.
RockAstra is being organised by the La Stella Philharmonic Society in collaboration with the Malta Council for Culture and Arts, the Victoria Local Council, the Ministry for Gozo, the Malta Tourism Authority, Local Government and Culture and is supported by General Soft Drinks Co. Ltd and Citadel Insurance plc. The masterclass sessions are organised with the support of the 'Creative Communities Scheme'.
Entrance is free of charge. Registration for masterclass sessions can be made on [email protected]Information is available on 21550985 and www.lastella.com.mt