The Malta Association of Music Educators was officially formed during a General Meeting held on October 18th, 2010, after a couple of preliminary meetings to get music educators involved and a lot of work set out by a working committee formed to plan the process thereof. The association was set up on the initiative of Mariella Cassar, Education Officer in charge of Music at the Education Departmen
t, with the help of Antoine Frendo, President of the Malta branch of the European String Teachers Association. It was officially launched on October 25th during the opening of the National Conference on the Future of Music Education in Malta, which was organised by the European String Teachers Assocation (Malta) at Dar l-Ewropa in Valletta. The need for an association that will help improve the local music education scene has long been felt by many stakeholders within the cultural setting. Through MAME, the Music Option in secondary schools, in preparation for MATSEC, is now available to students who would not otherwise have had the chance. High on its agenda, MAME will also seek to resolve the re-organisational issue of the Johann Strauss School of Music, which has in the past served thousands of students, some of whom have turned out to be leading musicians in their area of specialisation. The idea of a comprehensive specialist music school and the promised Academy of Arts need to become a reality in order to give our prospective artistes the chance of enrichment through practice and experiences beyond the classroom. MAME also recognises the fact that all students in state-run Primary Schools are, as of this year, being given the opportunity to learn the recorder. This augurs well for the Music Education Department. This Association can act as a matrix for the future. Music is basic to life, and new experiences enrich the quality of our lives. The study of music leads to a greater understanding of people, places and cultures, while we grow in our knowledge and sensitivity, as well as understanding ourselves and the world around us. MAME aspires to help its members promote a culture whereby its music students gain knowledge in order to respond to their own work and that of others through exploration and communication of ideas, feelings and preferences through music as part of their creative and cognitive development. The Malta Association of Music Educators acknowledges the support of the Minister of Education, Mrs. Dolores Cristina, the Directorate for Quality and Standards in Education under the direction of its Director-General Dr Grace Grima, its Director Mr Raymond Camilleri, its Assistant Director for Humanities Ms Josephine Vassallo and Education Officer (Music) Ms Mariella Cassar for their total support in helping the association set the ball rolling. Music educators can enrol in the association for an annual membership fee of €12. A membership form and/or any other details may be obtained by sending an email to [email protected].
