Master Classes
“Violin & 
Friends International” Master Classes are devoted to promoting classical music courses offering public master classes with leading performers working with classical music students and young professionals before audience venues.
Our master classes provide an opportunity for the public attending these summer master classes to see and hear this fascinating process which normally takes place behind closed doors, and to have an intimate view of each teacher’s technique and style of teaching.
The course is intensive, but students have time to explore the town of Valletta and its abundant artistic heritage and also visit other cities of Malta.
It is an opportunity to share the joy of making music with friends, to take a step back in time, to read, to walk, to eat and sleep well and to be recharged before heading back to the real world.
There is no student age limit, but children younger than 14 are advised to attend the Master Classes with a parent or guardian. Limited accommodation spaces for parents or guardians are available at extra fee. Please do not hesitate to contact us for accommodation arrangements.
Invited participants will take part in all classes and discussions, will receive personal coaching and unlimited access to the festival. You can ask to take a private lesson with teachers available, on request to the secretariat of the VFIMF.
All master classes will take place from Sunday, 24 June to Wednesday, 3 July 2012 at University Malta, Mediterranean Institute (Msida), Cavalieri Hotel (St. Julian’s) and other localities.
During ten days of the Master Classes each of active students or chamber music ensembles will get four lessons and one chamber music coaching. There will be a number of afternoon and evening concerts, and students will have opportunities to show their progress during the master classes. Some of the best students will be invited to perform on the VFIMF’s concerts.
We welcome applications for the following instruments: violin, piano, cello, flute, chamber music and the composition.
Faculty:
Composition – John M. Kennedy (USA)
Violin – Natalija Raithel (Germany)
Violin – Martin Tittor (Germany)
Flute – Rita D’Arcangelo (Italy)
Cello – Halina Zhuk (Germany)
Piano – Giuliano Mazzoccante (Italy)
Piano – Katja Avdeeva (Switzerland-Russia)
Chamber Music – Martin Tittor, Giuliano Mazzoccante, Rita D’Arcangelo
Admission and Fees:
- An application form completed in English and signed
- Birth certificate of each participant or a personal statement
- A short curriculum vitae of the applicant in English
- A receipt of the an Admission fee of €25.-, paid in EUR exclusively through bank transfer to the following account: Violin Limited, HSBC Malta plc – 32, Merchanst Street, Valletta – IBAN: MT97MMEB44853000000085130193001 BIC/SWIFT: MMEBMTMT
- Tuition fee of € 600 EUR – € 650 EUR
The Price List can be downloaded here
The Tuition fee consists of 5 lessons, accommodation (7-10 days) including two daily meals (breakfast and lunch). VFIMF accommodations are located in Lija, 10-15 minutes drive to Valletta.
Lessons are available in: English, French, German, Italian, Polish, Ukrainian and Russian
There are special rates for Residents of Malta. Interested should get in touch with the Management of the Master Classes.
Please use the Application Form to indicate period of your choice during Master Classes.
Students of Master Classes can be accepted to participate in Malta International Music Competition. Do not forget to send us the Application form, program and documents. For the students of VFIMF International Music Master Classes the Enrollment fee to the Malta International Music Competition is €30 per an individual or an ensemble. Please follow instructions on http://vfimf.com/regulations/
Scholarships:
The Scholarship is an exemption from half of the Tuition fee(Students will need to pay only half of the Tuition fee for the class they are attending.) Only a limited number of scholarships will be provided to some of Maltese and foreign students.
Required Material for application for Scholarships:
To apply for a scholarship, please submit the following required material along with the student application form.
- A written statement (on one A4-size sheet of paper) explaining why you wish to attend the master classes.
- A letter of recommendation from a mentor (This should be a letter written within the past year by a current or former mentor with whom you have studied. Please be sure to provide the mentor’s contact information.)
Professors and the VFIMF office will examine and select students who will be provided with a scholarship. The offers will be at the total discretion of VFIMF International Music Master Classes.
Only 2 places available! Application form, CV and an Admission Fee must be received by April 25, 2012. The application form is available for download 
Master Classes and Malta International Music Competition:
Instrumental participants or groups who have been accepted to the master classes may take a part in the competition for the Reduced Enrollment fee of €30. The Application Form for the participation in the competition and all relevant documentation has to be received by VFIMF before the April 25, 2012. Please include the letter of the Acceptance to the master classes.
Admissions Calendar:
If you are interested taking part in VFIMF International Music Master Classes please contact us. We might find an available place for you.
- April 25, 2012 Application Deadline
Applicants are encouraged to apply by April 1st. Applications received after April 1 are evaluated on a first-come, first-serve basis for limited spots.
- April 28, 2012 Notification of the student or the group acceptance
- April 28, 2012 Tuition fee in FULL has to be paid and Notification of Intent form due
Once students are notified of their acceptance, they must pay the Tuition fee to reserve their accommodation etc. The Applicant who inscribes but is unable to attend is asked to inform the Master Classes office immediately. Cancellation after the 1 May, 2012, € 350 EUR will be refunded; cancellation after 15 May 2012, no amount will be refunded.
Travel, Health Insurance, etc.:
Wide selection of low cost and business air fares to Malta including budget and discount flight deals you can easily find from Ryanair, Easyjet, Vueling and major airlines like Emirates, Lufthansa, Egyptair and others. List of cities with connections to Malta International Airport (MLA) can be seen here. Obtaining appropriate travel documents and insurance is the sole responsibility of each applicant. VFIMF accepts no liability of any kind whatsoever for any personal illness or injury sustained by the applicant or for loss or damage to a applicant’s belongings, including instrument, during transit or while at the Master Classes. PLEASE NOTE: Airfare is not included in any of the fees above. Students are responsible to make their own arrangements in accordance with the Master Classes schedule.
Repertoire assignments will be posted at our web site in mid June. Please be sure fully prepare your repertoire before you arrive and bring music parts and a copy of each score for the use of the professor in the master classes/chamber music.
Having studied the conditions, the signatory accepts the stipulations and regulations of the Master Classes.
* Questions can be directed to vfimfestival@gmail.com
Observe the art of interpretation and technique as master artists share their knowledge and experience with the next generation.
