Projects and Investments

The Project “Music Lessons for Youths in Band Clubs”

Parti mill-Proġett 2012In the year 2012, the Youth Agency financed the project named “Music Lessons with a difference – Interactivity in the band club”. The aim of this project was an investment in hardware and software such as Laptop, Projector, Big Screen and software which is adapt for music lessons aimed at different age groups. It can be said that this project was a success since because of such investment, students at the club had the chance to use tools which they are more accustomed to and more importantly, lessons could be done in classes rather than only individually. Of course, learning in classes also means that students can learn from each other, apart from the fact that if they choose to, students can also ap

In 2015, the Saint Lawrence Band Club submitted another proposal which was accepted. This proposal had the objective of complementing the new energy and dynamics brought forward by the new musical teachers and the objectives that they wanted to reach. We acknowledge and are aware that the number of students can further increase. To this effect, the initiative taken in 2015 had the main aim of an outreach in order to increase the number of students attending classes in our band club, whilst at the same time modernising and introducing new methods of learning in our club through further investment.

Following the strengthening of the music lessons through acquisition of softwarewhich can be adapted to all age groups, and also to lead to any students who would like to undertake music theory exams, the club believed that the next step shall be an investment in further hardware and other accessories in order to have the possibility of also undertaking lessons in classes of music practice, between students and residents bandsmen, added with the already established music theory lessons. Apart from this, the Musical Director of the band club is also heading the school of music within our band, together with other music teachers, with the aim of being more professional in the music teachings given to our students. Through this way, both students and resident musicians can further increase their talent and potential, whilst providing the club with an opportunity of performing together in musical programmes.

In fact, the 2015 project investment included music stands, White Board, two althorns and snare drums. This initiative compliments what was already achieved, since the club is now equipped with further tools which shall provide all students with the ability to even organise practicing classes. We also believe that with the implementation of this project, the chance for creativity has been created.

The 2016 project, baptiseInvestiment 2016d as The Vittoriosa Kids Music Centre, has the aim of further strengthening the musical lessons in our club. In fact, a wide range of percussion instruments was acquired, together with a synthesiser, with the aim of organising on a weekly basis a percussion class for children aged 5 years and over. We also believe that with the introduction of the synthesiser in rehearsals, our students will have the opportunity to understand and further learn the mechanics and processes happening in rehearsals. Apart from these, the c

lub also acquired a photocopier, books to be used in teachings and music related posters in order to be hung in the Concert Hall of the club.

The 2017 project, named Vittoriosa Kids Music Centre – Continuity, was geared to continue empowering the Percussion Class. To this effect, the Club bought 3 new xylophones aimed for children, as well as a rubber carpet aimed at kids. The Club believes that students will be much more comfortable and attentive with this new set up. New Music sheets were also acquired as part of this project, geared at youths enjoyment and also after consulting with them. In addition, the Club thought it is fit to acquire a first aid box, just in case the need arises. For Clarinet students, the tool Classical Finger was acquired, aimed at improving drastically the fingering of students to a professional level. 2 trumpet players were given practice mutes, while another one needed a gig bag and was bought accordingly. Our Music teachers deem as crucial ear training, and to this effect, 6 clip on tuners were included in this project. Last but not least, the Club also invested in 2 Trumpets and an Euphonium.

In the year 2018, the Saint Lawrence Band Club succeeded in benefitting for yet another year from this scheme. With the initiative called Vittoriosa Kids Music Centre – Strengthening with further investment, the Saint Lawrence Band Club increased further its resources for the benefit of its young students. In fact, it acquires 6 recorders and relevant theory books with the aim of providing first instrumental experience as a preparatory training for the actual instrument, 10 flow balls in order to increase the breath flow, 2 breath builders to improve the stamina in breath, more instrument practice books, trumpet, snare drum and 2 clarinets, Bell Tree, 3 Practice Mute for the Trumpet students and more charts for the new classes. This initiative will further support and sustain the previous projects undertaken by the Saint Lawrence Band Club and will further ensure that the Club remains a catalyst in music teachings to youths and kids.

The 2019 project can be described as an innovative project. Bearing the name of ‘Team Building and Enhancement in the Vittoriosa Kids Music Centre’, this project had the main objective of organising a team building session for all resident musicians and students in the island of Gozo. This activity was held on Saturday 4 May 2019 and various Team building sessions were organised, apart from some tracking in the Gozitan environment. Apart from this, there were several other items acquired under this scheme, mainly Drumkit skins, two brass mouthpieces, Clarinet reeds, gig bag and a strap for Sax Alto and also the salaries of the Maestro, Assistant Maestro and music teacher for kids class.

Although the year 2021 will be remembered as the year where we lived a pandemic, the Saint Lawrence Band Club continued to organise its musical lessons which were held online, while implementing another project from this fund.  Titled as Gaming and Music – The Fusion!, This project had its primary objective of icentivising the young and youth students in continuing their musical studies in these special circumstances. This was done by giving tokens in currencies pertaining to the popular video games Fortnite and Roblox. It is worth highlighting how this project was proposed from the students themselves after a consultation. In addition, since due to the pandemic no team building events could be held as in previous years, another element in this project was to use the online platform to reach same objectives. This was done through a development of a small simulation game on Minecraft by the students themselves together with the Music Teachers. The salaries of the Music teachers of the Saint Lawrence Band club were also included in this initiative.

The 2022 initiative under this scheme was named “Etiquette and Quality in the Vittoriosa Kids Music Centre”. This initiative had the aim of providing to young and youth students values pertaining to etiquette and quality as part and parcel of their music studies programme. Etiquette and quality are two very important aspects in a musician’s life which sometimes may be overlooked. Etiquette is of utmost importance especially when one joins the band in rehearsals and concerts, whereby behaviour is of essence for a successful final result. On the other hand, quality is also a very important aspect in this regard. Through quality, one can reach a superior level and a better fulfilment in the background of a rehearsal and a musical concert. These two aspects are being reached through the acquisition of a number of tools, such as instrument stands, mouthpieces, practice mute, clip on tuners and 3 tone chime. All these tools are contributing individually and collectively in reaching the identified objectives, since tools such as instrument stands and mouthpieces will contribute to the development of an etiquette. The latter, together with practice mute, clip on tuners and 3 tone chime has developed further the quality needed, whilst the organised Masterclasses are overarching and are contributing to reach the objectives of etiquette and quality.

The year 2023 is the year where through the financing granted by this project, the Saint Lawrence Band Club introduced music theory lessons in the Vittoriosa Kids Music Centre. To this effect, the Saint Lawrence Band Club engaged Ms Melanie Mizzi, who is also the Woodwind teacher in the Vittoriosa Kids Music Centre. About 20 students, the majority of which were already students attending the centre, applied and began attending the music theory lessons. Due to the diffeerent levels and ages, the music theory lessosn were organised in three different classes and in November 2023, the first group wills it for the exams of the London College of Music.

The Project “Vittoriosa Kids Music Centre”

The Music Hall of the Saint Lawrence Club, where all music classes and rehearsals are held, is part of the premises of the club which was built in the 19th century. In view of the age of these premises, they were not built fit for music playing. Since this music hall is being utilised for music on a weekly basis, the need to improve the acoustics of this hall has grown severely. At a frequency of 500 Hz, the reverberation time was 7.89 seconds at the height of 4.88 meters of the music hall. On the other hand, the recommended reverberation time for music shall be 0.3 seconds to 0.8 seconds. In this regard, the Committee of the Club decided to improve severely the acoustic situation of this music hall. Through the Small Initiative Support Scheme launched by the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector, the committee made an application for the development of the music hall. The committee also recognised that the hall needs a new system of lighting, in order to guarantee to musicians the right lighting in reading music parts. This is also a crucial factor to ensure success since one needs to avoid any lights creating blind spots, thus it has to be top down lighting formation. The Committee believed that by doing so, a healthier environment to the students will be guaranteed, whilst also providing a more enjoyable experience in learning music. Work by club volunteers commenced on the restoration of the existing ceiling, together with some minor structural works with reference to maintenance and a new face lift, since the walls were also painted. Following this, the suspended ceiling and lighting was installed, and after further cleaning and hanging of relevant decorations, the club can boast of one of the best music halls in the area, where sound reverberation time has now been reduced at 0.6 seconds. Quite a remarkable investment.

The Project “The Vittoriosa Kids Music Centre – Strengthening and Expansion”

During the year 2018, the Saint Lawrence Band Club continued to heavily invest in its infrastructure with the aim of further improving its facilities in the teaching of music. In fact, this project entailed the extension of already existing rooms at the back of Palazzo Huesca, mainly the room which used to be used as an office, and also the back room in the Rehearsals Hall. Part of this project has been funded by a fund administered by the Għaqda Każini tal-Banda and Art Council Malta, and it had the aim of increasing the existing space to accommodate the ever-growing number of students in music lessons. Through this project, the music teachers are now able to do their lessons at the same time, making it very flexible to students who need to attend lessons with more than one music teacher. It must be noted that as part of this project, a new wooden Double-Glazed door was installed, together with building a new wall, a new lighting system, installation of 2 gypsum walls, tile laying and relevant polishing, installation of aluminium apertures and re-painting.

The Project “The Vittoriosa Kids Music Centre Goes Interactive”

This project which was implemented in the year 2019 had the objective of introducing a new method of  music teachings which is modern,, creative and innovative. In fact, through the acquisitions of a number of accessories such as an iPad, Otter box, Interactive Screen and an online subscription on Smart Music, the band club was in a position to offer this new method of teachings within its ranks to all the students. This was only possible through further time investment in music lessons by one of the music teachers as part of this scheme. Another point worth mentioning is that through this project, a water dispenser was also installed int he club’s rehearsal hall. The versatility which this new innovative method is offering in music teachings is evident to the extent that students continued to increase and those attending even improved in quality. This project was finances by the VOP scheme as managed by the MCVS.

 

The Project “Living the Music”

The Project “Living the Music” was originally planned to be implemented in the year 2020, however, due to the outbreak of the pandemic COVID-19, the project was postponed and finally implemented in 2021, amidst all the challenges from the same pandemic. Notwithstanding these difficulties, this was another important project which ended up in success where the Saint Lawrence Band Club registered another step in the right direction in the musical dimension. In fact, centre to this project were the resident musicians of the St. Lawrence Band Club and also the music students, since through this project, the club invested heavily in professional instruments such as Concert Bass Drum, Glockenspiel, Professional Synthesizer, professional drum kit cymbals set, a high quality snare drum, and a number of other accessories. In addition, as part of this initiative, 4 masterclasses were organised which were targeted to the resident musicians and music students of the club. These masterclasses covered the areas of Percussion, Brass, Woodwind and also Band Direction. This project was concluded with a musical concert where the music students and resident musicians took centre stage, even due tot he fact that a number of students played with the band for the first time. Also, it must be noted that the band played a number of music pieces for the absolute first time, which was acquired also through this scheme. This project was financed by the VOPS scheme as administered by the MCVS.