Music Schools and Programs in Malta

Music Studies in Malta

Are you a music major who has always dreamed of studying abroad in a beautiful country like Malta?  If so, you may be pleased to know that the country currently has many available international offerings; programs that allow students to live and study in Malta for a semester or year while earning valuable credits toward their undergraduate or graduate degree in the fields of music and music history.

Malta is a southern European country situated in the Mediterranean Sea.  The country is positioned roughly 50 miles (80 km) south of Sicily, 176 miles (284 km) east of Tunisia, and 207 miles (333 km) north of Libya. The country covers just over 122 square miles (316 sq km), making it one of the world's smallest and most densely populated countries. The capital of Malta is Valletta, which is also the smallest capital in the EU.  Malta has two official languages: Maltese and English.

Malta gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1964 and became a republic in 1974. Malta was admitted to the United Nations in 1964 and to the European Union in 2004; in 2008, it became part of the eurozone.

Malta has a long Christian legacy and its Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Malta is sometimes traditionally claimed to be an Apostolic see because, according to the Acts of the Apostles, Paul the Apostle was shipwrecked on Malta.  Naturally, Catholicism is the official religion in Malta.

Malta is a popular tourist destination with its warm climate, numerous recreational areas, and architectural and historical monuments, including nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Hal Saflieni Hypogeum, Valletta, and seven Megalithic Temples, which are some of the oldest free-standing structures in the world.

Music Education in Malta

Music is a popular area of study in Malta.  Students pursuing a Music or Music History degree in the country will encounter both general education and subject-specific courses related to the music field.  The general education coursework includes subjects such as mathematics, science, social sciences, language arts, and others.  Examples of music-specific courses in this degree program include:

• Chromatic Harmony
• Introduction to Music History
• Musical Theater Workshop
• Concert Chorale
• Intermediate Brass
• Introduction to Music Technology
• History of Opera
• History of Eastern Music
• Jazz Vocal Ensemble
• Women in Music
• And many more…

 
Students pursuing a Master’s or PhD degree in music must, in addition to their coursework, complete a capstone Master’s thesis or Doctoral dissertation and present their paper to the program faculty prior to completing their studies.

Why Study Abroad in Malta

The educational programs available in the country of Malta are excellent; but what truly draws international students to this island paradise are the many sites and attractions to explore, including miles upon miles of pristine Mediterranean coastline.  Other sites and attractions here include:

Valletta

Described by the UNESCO’s World Heritage website as "one of the most concentrated historic areas in the world," Valletta is Malta’s capital city, squeezed into less than one square kilometer of geographic space. From the rich St. John’s Co-Cathedral, to the pristine 300-year-old Manoel Theatre, Valletta is home to a large number of historic sites and attractions.  Visitors here will also find many restaurants, galleries, monuments, traditional balconies, shops and malls, museums, forts and bastions and flea markets, ensuring every day spent in this beautiful city will be one of non-stop enjoyment.

Mdina

The city of Mdina is Malta’s medieval jewel. Its distinctive narrow winding streets, sheltered by imposing walls of nobles houses, are simply beautiful and inviting. Only minor signs of modern development are noticeable here, and the lamp-lit evenings are romantic and simply surreal. A number of attractions related to its history are also well worth visiting, and its elevation makes it a great place for viewing, at a glance, all that Malta has to offer.

Gozo

Gozo is a smaller rural island to the north of Malta just a half-hour ferry ride away. The island is a vivid glimpse into what Malta was like only a few decades ago. A slower pace of life, welcoming locals, open countryside, raw rugged coastlines, sleepy unconverted villages and traditional crafts makes Gozo the perfect weekend getaway for students looking to relax and unwind.  Must-see attractions on this gem of an island include the Citadella, Ggantija Temples, ta’ Pinu Sanctuary and the Dwejra area