The Medina Foundation for Music is a registered, independent and non-profit organization established with the aims of encouraging and facilitating professional musical development and cultural awareness, providing upcoming musicians with an opportunity to collaborate with established artists in performances of the highest standards. It was registered as a Voluntary Organisation with registration number 1332 on the 16th of September 2016, after having been certified as satisfying the provisions of the Second Schedule of the Civil Code, and registered as a Legal Person by the Registrar for Legal Persons.

The Foundation seeks to achieve its aims through its programmes. The Medina Foundation for Music’s Educational Programme, through the Medina College of Music, aims to provide a high-quality music education leading to certification in music theory and performance which is recognized and accredited at both national and international levels to developing musicians in a supportive and nurturing environment where they can improve their technical and theoretical knowledge of music.

The courses offered by the Medina College of Music are designed with the holistic growth of the prospective musician in mind, supporting his/her development whether as a solo performer or a member of a band, ensemble or orchestra. It aims to move away from a system of rote learning but works towards nurturing an understanding of musical concepts as a means of self-expression and self-awareness, presenting a platform for a life-long journey of self-discovery.

The programme strives to empower students with the knowledge, understanding and skills that will equip them to achieve fulfilment through music in whichever direction they wish to pursue it in the future, as well as the present. It caters both for those who wish to take up music as a hobby as well as for those who intend to choose their career path in music on a professional level whether as a performer, a composer or a teacher, by laying sound foundations in knowledge, skills and competences in music theory and practice. Students are encouraged to reach their potential, become independent in their learning and develop a positive attitude towards lifelong learning.

The programme offers all students the opportunity to learn and to undertake musical experiences with an assurance of success. It is based on students’ having the confidence to achieve at a pace and level that meets their needs, which is suitably challenging, engages them in the learning process and is delivered with purpose and rigour by the teachers. The Foundation’s Music Educational Programmes aim to provide possibilities for them to interact and share their love of music with their peers and to experience the world of professional music-making through its Performance Programme.

In the past months, the Foundation has seen great development in both its performance and educational programmes. This has led the Foundation to launch an Outreach Programme and recently implement a very successful music appreciation programme called ‘Tuning Tots’, aimed at children of pre-school years and their parents. The Foundation is also in the process of launching two further programmes, the first being ‘House of Glass’, which will focus on making music accessible to young persons with disability, focusing on assisting students who have just been statemented with special needs. This programme will be targeted at enhancing physical and cognitive skills through music sessions and it will be run by a team of music teachers, learning support assistants and allied health professionals. It is also envisaged that the Foundation will launch a specific outreach programme with a series of workshops for students in resource centres and schools.

The Foundation’s Performance Programme is attained primarily through its orchestral performances. Established in May, 2015, under the direction of HE Chev Mro Mark Agius, for what should have been a one time performance at the Solemn Installation Ceremony of the Grandmaster of the Sovereign Hospitaller Order of St John of Jerusalem, Knights of Malta, the orchestra steadily developed over the next four years from the original complement of twelve musicians to an ensemble of forty-five, performing as the St Paul Chamber Ensemble and establishing itself as one of Malta’s foremost musical institutions with a packed calendar of events. Committed to providing performances of the highest calibre, and in its endeavour to raise its standards even further, the orchestra has now taken one more giant step forward in attaining another important milestone in its history. Re-branding as the St Paul Metropolitan Orchestra and raising its complement to a full orchestra of sixty musicians, soloists and resident choir, Anacrusis, we aim to bring our audiences many more enjoyable performances with an even wider repertoire, delivered with the class and style which had become synonymous with the St Paul Chamber Ensemble.

The programme aims to promote culture to the general public and make it more accessible to all. The Foundation also supports and promotes local composers through the performance of their works and encourages and facilitates upcoming musicians’ professional musical development by giving them the possibility to work side by side with experienced and established performers.

The Foundation’s Social Programme is aimed at supporting charitable institutions and entities though fundraising performances as well as taking the music to those who would otherwise not be able to enjoy the pleasure of a live performance.

By bringing these programmes together the Medina Foundation for Music works towards promoting Malta’s vision as a hub of cultural and educational activity for all regions of the world and particularly for the Euro-Mediterranean region. Through on-going consultation and collaboration with music teachers and professionals, the Foundation seeks to address the critical needs and preferences of professional and amateur musicians and aid music performances, teaching and learning, ensuring the implementation of the principles of inclusive education by providing an equitable access to all persons in full respect of any diversity and cultivating a culture of creativity, innovation, entrepreneurship, excellence and flexibility sustained by the values of commitment, dedication and integrity.