Times² discovers the educational programme at ‘Gaulitana: A Festival of Music’ with Programme Manager Paul Rapa
Gaulitana: A Festival of Music, now in its 18th edition, continues to be a beacon of cultural and musical excellence in Gozo. GAULearn is its innovative educational programme, within the festival, designed to inspire and educate students through the power of music. Running in parallel with the festival’s public events, it aims to present different activities in various schools around Gozo, that cater to various age groups and abilities.
Illustrated presentations are intended to broaden musical awareness and appreciation. Stefano Vagnini, an Italian pedagogue and artist, illustrates the grandeur of the church organ at Xewkija’s Rotunda Church including a direct view of its hidden compartments. This event provides students with a unique opportunity to experience the majestic sounds of the instrument.
The Armed Forces of Malta Band Ensemble are performing movie themes to primary school students, whereas the Clarinet Quartet present an interactive session on nursery rhymes to kinder classes as well as an illustrated performance on as the share their musical journeys and the importance of music within the ranks of the Armed Forces.
A flute and a guitar activity promises to be a delightful event as Italian artists Filomena De Pasquale and Giorgio Albiani illustrate the peculiarities of string and woodwind instruments; as students are given the opportunity to perform short excerpts.
GAULearn also includes an intriguing presentation of Mediterranean instruments. Musicians Mina Ghobrial and Manon Arnaudo showcase a number of string, woodwind and percussion instruments used in various countries around the region as well as performing a short recital.
The educational programme also underlines the importance of inclusion in musical education. The Opening Doors Association will conduct two sessions at Sannat’s ‘Special Unit’ during which students participate in hands-on percussion activities while exploring rhythm and co-ordination.
#opera4me then offers a taste of the festival’s main event; Verdi’s opera Nabucco. A purposely-designed adaptation of the composer’s oeuvre, produced by Ringside Theatre Company, will presents a synthesis of the plot juxtaposed with video clips of key musical moments from the opera with the participation of school children. Subsequently, students have the opportunity to visit Teatru tal-Opra Aurora, where the Gaulitana’s performance will be held, during the production week, gaining insights into the staging of an opera. These theatre visits provide an understanding of the collaborative multi-disciplinary effort involved in bringing an opera to life.
A similar event will be presented by Ringside at the Sir MA Refalo Sixth Form. Intended for older students, this includes a discussion on the contemporary traits in the opera’s subject matter. #opera4me also encourages students to experience the actual public performance by offering substantially rebated prices to students.
Students will also be encouraged to visit the festival exhibition at Gozo’s citadel, In Harmony – 19th Century Printed Maltese Music, curated by Anna Borg Cardona and Joseph Calleja, which is a unique opportunity to view several rare examples of music covers printed locally at the Brocktorff Press with the innovative method of lithography. This allowed for the decoration on front covers of piano music by local composers, through which, today, one can appreciate further the social context of the period.
In addition, the festival’s educational programme also looks at directly passing skills with the annual vocal master class by internationally-renowned Maltese soprano Miriam Gauci planned for later on in the year during the summer months.
GAULearn, supported by the Cultural Directorate and presented in collaboration with the Gozo College, is more than just an educational programme. It is a celebration of music’s ability to inspire, educate, and unite. By offering a diverse range of activities, GAULearn ensures that students of all backgrounds and abilities can experience the joy that music brings!
Paul Rapa
GAULearn Programme Manager
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