Nurturing a musical talent

If you are aged between eight and 14 and have a musical talent you cannot afford to nurture you could be eligible for a year's free tuition, culminating in a performance at the Manoel Theatre, courtesy of Teatru Unplugged.

The popular show, which, for the last decade, has attracted unlikely audiences to the theatre to revel in the various styles of music on offer, has stepped beyond the spectacle and into charity, a move it has long had in mind.

Proceeds from the 11th edition are being channelled into sponsoring a child, with potential in any instrument, to expose hidden talents and allow him/her to flourish.

"The idea is to support the child through tuition for a year. If s/he already goes to lessons but requires more to bring out the full capacity, we want to offer that extra boost, supplementing his/her courses so s/he can take his/her talent further," said Teatru Unplugged producer Jonathan Shaw.

"The initiative targets children because I believe they need the most assistance," he said. "It is building on the future and could really make a difference." The age bracket chosen incorporated the formative years, where focusing on interests, such as music and sport, enriched a child's personality.

"We want the candidates to be already exposed to music so they do not spend the year just learning the basics," Mr Shaw explained. They can either find another teacher for the extra tuition or stick to the same one not to rock the boat, he said.

Apart from offering a prestigious platform to up-and-coming and established musicians, this year's event will also include a slot for the selected child.

"Like that, our audiences can enjoy the result of their assistance," Mr Shaw said.

Moreover, the stage is valuable exposure that every performer wants but does not easily have, he added.

The show's producers, who also include Dave Shaw and Nirvana Azzopardi, plan to build on the initiative and hope that, eventually, more than one musical talent could benefit from the proceeds. A selection board has been set up, chaired by Richmond Foundation chairman Anthony Guillaumier and including Scar lead singer Konrad Pulè, Mr Shaw and Ms Azzopardi.

They are accepting applications from potential candidates until the end of the month, explaining why they feel they are eligible for the lessons, together with a recommendation letter from their music teacher. The next step would be to shortlist, followed by interviews.

Mr Shaw said that, although the family had to be "in need", it did not mean they had to be dying of hunger and the board would not be carrying out specific means testing.

"There would have to be an element of trust. Although we plan to monitor the situation to ensure the selected child really qualifies, there is a limit to how much we can probe," he said.

"Of course, if it transpires that someone needs the assistance more than another, it would be a determining factor in the choice."

Applications can be sent to Teatru Unplugged Sponsorship, c/o, Inspire Ltd, Suite 2, Mompalao Building, Tower Road, Msida MSD 1825, or via e-mail enquiry@chooseMalta.com.