The Teatru Salesjan is slowly growing as a theatre and more Slimizi are becoming aware of its events.
It is a relief to be able to go to a concert or a play without having to spend time and energy parking, as is the case with Valletta. This parking business, almost everywhere, is changing our lifestyle rapidly and frightening us so much that we prefer to deprive ourselves of certain events then enter the stressful world of parking.
Yet, all is not lost. Teatru Salesjan is a short walk away for most of us who live in Sliema and we should patronize it as much as possible.
I have always thought short lunchtime concerts an excellent idea and envied those who live and work in Valletta where they have been going on for a long time.
This latest initiative is that of pianist and educator Gisèle Grima. She currently and on volunteer basis is Education Coordinator at Teatru Salesjan, and her role includes that of supporting, creating and encouraging initiatives where children and young people are concerned. Education has been her field since 2007 when she trained and worked in the UK with a performing arts education company. This holistic training enabled her to explore and utilise her skills as a musician and educator. "Channelling education through your specialised skill is one of the most rewarding experiences and thankfully Teatru Salesjan has served as a solid home for me to build on that," she told me.
When in 2013 she approached the theatre's directors with a proposal to set up a children's choir they welcomed her with open arms and provided her with a rehearsal space. "Since then, the TS Children's Choir has grown and is more established now with a group of around 20 children who meet once a week to share their joy and love of singing together," Gisèle tells me with her usual enthusiasm. Through the various music and singing activities, these children gradually develop a strong vocal and musical awareness driven by their own self-expression, their creative minds and of course an important dose of discipline. "They are engaged to become creative thinkers, good listeners, conscious singers and respectable friends," she adds. And I would like to add from personal experience, that a love and a reasonable understanding of music is often retained throughout life especially when it starts when we are young and will provide comfort and entertainment in later years.
Gisèle was later approached by Wendy Dwyer, a musician/parent of one of the choir children, who proposed setting up a children's instrumental ensemble. This idea was taken on board and since then Teatru Salesjan also has its very own TS Children's Chamber group made up of string and woodwind musicians.
Gisèle who I first got to know as an Ian Tomlin Scholarship holder, told me: "We are very lucky to have such talented children and to nurture this talent with the right intentions. The aim is to provide young ones with enjoyable yet structured activities and opportunities which focus on turning remarkable children into remarkable adolescents or adults. In addition, we have a fantastic team of parents - some of who are professional musicians themselves - and who constantly support these two ensembles."
About her initiative to organize lunchtime concerts Gisèle said she realized to her disappointment that there hardly exist any performance opportunities that are open to music students to play in recitals around the island. Knowing from her own experience how essential it is for music students to perform, collaborate and experience their own playing in a formal set-up she decided to revive the lunch time concert as this will equip them with the necessary skills to develop into young professionals. "Their music peers too should recognise the importance of attending concerts not only to support their friends, but to learn that a training musician should also listen to music as much they play it. The TS Lunchtime Concert series specifically target instrumental and music students who wish to support their development in a professional performance environment. The recitals are around 35 minutes in duration, a perfect lunchtime break. The response from the students has so far been excellent with around 20 young musicians who have applied to perform and have proposed some very interesting programmes."
The series was opened on Thursday 12th October with Chantelle Borg, a young violinist who currently plays with the MYO. Gisèle especially encourages University music students and students who play in other ensembles and who are seeking a performance platform to contact her.
I went to the concert two weeks ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. Gisèle accompanied the young talented violinist on the piano and also acted as compère.
Chantelle played works by van Beethoven, Williams - 'Remembrances' from Schindler's List and a Scherzo by Brahms. It was most satisfying and we all left to have lunch, no doubt, at least I did. And yes, the music put everyone in a good mood too.
The next lunchtime concert is on Thursday, 9th November at 1.10pm when pianist Amik Lanfranco will be performing works by Glinka, Satie, Chopin and John Buttigieg.
Anyone interested in participating in these recitals, can send an email to [email protected].
[email protected].mt