Understanding the link between primary schools and local band clubs

Abstract

The thesis’s main reason is to understand and identify if there are links between local band clubs and primary schools. In Malta and Gozo, band clubs, situated in each village, were the first form of educational hubs where students had the chance to learn music for free. In fact, such institutions were far more inclusive and progressive for that time than the monolitical approaches used in state schools where students ranged from illiterate to low class families. Besides teaching music, band clubs offered various opportunities to people from a very young age; especially early school leavers, who had the chance to learn, work and even teach trades needed for the societies themselves to develop and progress further on. Despite the different approach that was created between these two, one as a social school and the other as an academical institution, through the years, efforts were made to start building bridges between these important educational and social stakeholders who share an important common factor; a growing young dynamic learner who is thirsty for knowledge and new experiences. In this thesis, interviews with band clubs representatives from both islands, together with school SMTs, will shed light on the area and point out possibilities regarding links between these two entities.