Class in session at School of Music and Dance of Formentera

The 2022-2023 school year is now under way at the School of Music and Dance of Formentera (Escola de Música i Dansa de Formentera, EMDF), with some 203 students enrolled at the start of lessons last week. Twelve music teachers and three dance instructors impart "elementary" official studies and "non-regulated" professional classes.

Susana Labrador, councillor of education and culture, wished all students an auspicious start to the year and hoped that "young and old can enjoy the offer and deepen their knowledge of music and dance, whether as casual amateurs or on a more professional track".

Course catalogue:

MUSIC
-Official Music Studies (ages eight and up)
Instruments: flute, guitar, piano, trumpet and clarinet.

-Non-regulated studies (eight and up)
Instruments: flute, piccolo, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, French horn, trombone, euphonium and tuba.

-Traditional music workshop (four and up)
Local folk instruments: drum, castanets and flute. Levels: Initiation I; Initiation II; Continuation I and Continuation II.

-Initiation to music (five to eight)
Participants discover instruments and music theory through songs and games.

-Independent Professional Studies
Tailored to individual student needs (prerequisite: elementary studies from a state-accredited school or conservatory).

-Percussion Workshop
Students are familiarised with an array of rhythms and percussion instruments.

-Formentera Polyphonic Choir
Free activity. Previous knowledge of music not required.

-Band
Composed essentially of wind instruments. One hour of group training with student's chosen instrument, one hour of targeted music theory and one hour of band practice.

DANCE
-Modern (eight and up): Study and practice of choreographies. Techniques include jazz and various current styles such as funk and hip-hop.

-Intro to dance (three to eight): By gaining familiarity with their bodies and movement, children can explore, learn, express themselves and create through movement. Techniques: classical and contemporary dance.

-Flamenco workshop (adults): Participants learn basic techniques required to dance flamenco. Basic body positioning, spins, footwork and identification of styles and rhythms. Brief theoretical study of the style of chosen choreography. Workshop tailored to the level of the group.

-Classical dance workshop (adults): Participants learn basic techniques required to dance ballet. Basic body positioning, spins, footwork and identification of styles and rhythms. Brief theoretical study of the style of chosen choreography. Workshop tailored to the level of the group.

-Official Dance Studies: (eight and up). Distributed in four courses: Classical dance, Spanish dance and music applied to dance.

Elementary instruction focuses on basic study of classical dance technique, knowledge of Spanish dance and origins and music applied to dance. The four courses of Elementary Dance Studies are a critical stage in the development of the dancer and serve as the foundation of correct and effective technique. The ideal age for these studies is between eight and twelve years old.

4 October 2022
Communications Office
Consell de Formentera