The Academy of Sacred Music Francesco Azopardi of the Archdiocese of Malta is offering a variety of courses designed to enhance the skills and knowledge of individuals involved in music ministry within the Church.

The courses for the academic year 2024-2025 include Animating Liturgy, tailored for those currently involved in or aspiring to participate in liturgical animation (starting in November 2024); The Organ in the Liturgy, intended for organists already serving or planning to serve in parishes and wishing to strengthen their knowledge of the organist’s ministry (starting in February 2025); the Christian songwriting programme Ħarbex (starting in February 2025); and Singing during Liturgy for priests (starting in May 2025). The courses are offered in collaboration with the Pastoral Formation Institute.

Starting in February 2025, the Academy will also introduce an intensive Choral Singing for the Liturgy course aimed at children aged 7 to 14. This programme will lead to a VET Level 3 Certificate accredited by the Malta Further & Higher Education Authority, preparing young participants to sing in a liturgical choir through sessions in choir practice, vocal lessons, and music theory.

Additionally, the Academy collaborates with renowned international institutions in the field of sacred choral music such as the Cappella Musicale del Duomo di Milano – Europe’s oldest, cathedral choir – and Accademia AERCO (Associazione Emiliano-Romagnola Cori) that encompasses 246 associated choirs from all over the Emilia-Romagna region in Italy.

Recently launched, the Academy aims to provide professional training for quality music ministry, opportunities for students to join the choirs and musicians of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Malta, and to transmit and strengthen the Catholic faith through sacred music. It is named after Maltese composer and pedagogue Francesco Azopardi (1748-1809), who, after studying in Naples, served as Maestro di Cappella at the Mdina Cathedral and St John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta. Through his musical treatise Il musico pratico, he was among the first to place Malta on the international music map.

Interested applicants can find more information at asm.mt.