About
Strummin’ Foundation was set up in January 2019 to focus on musical outreach by engaging young people. In doing so it seeks to empower and help them develop their talents and skills.
The foundation is established with the aims of:
- encouraging young people to express their creativity through music,
- providing educational programmes and resources to facilitate the above,
- creating an environment that promotes collaboration and networking between musicians,
- building projects that allow young people to develop skills and gain new experiences, and
- raising funds for humanitarian projects.
Of the many projects that the foundation strives to work on is the recurring Strummin’ Concert that brings together guitarists and musicians of various skill levels. Through this project, and others, it is creating resources and training for individuals wishing to start learning the guitar whilst collaborating with like-minded institutions and bodies working with young people.
The founders of the Strummin’ Foundation are Lorleen Farrugia, Jacqueline Grech, Luke Grech, Jean Claude Vancell and Gwyneth Zammit.
Strummin’ Foundation is a registered Voluntary
Organisation (VO/1588) in the Republic of Malta.
Timeline
Round the World
Strummin’ Round the World took us on a journey around the globe discovering music from all continents. A 120-strong cast took to the stage of St Agatha’s Auditorium in Rabat on the 7th and 8th October 2022, playing for a record-breaking audience. The 18th edition of Strummin’ raised awareness for Smiling with Jerome.
Back to Basics
Back to Basics is a summer-long guitar course focusing on anybody wishing to learn the guitar. This course was held over the course of the Summer during which a number of teachers dedicated their time to build course material and teach. Unlike normal guitar lessons, this course aimed at not only teaching basic guitar skills, but also at creating a better appreciation towards the instrument and guiding the members of the course how to play and take care of their instruments.
Going Places
Strummin’ Going Places celebrated the Strummin’ journey towards becoming a foundation and had a set of music themed around travelling different places in the world. The 17th edition of Strummin’ raised awareness and funds towards the Malta Colorectal Cancer Awareness Group.
Foundation Established
This marks the establishment of Strummin’ Foundation whereby a group of founders, made up of individuals that have been involved in the project for many years, built and agreed on a statute that defines the aims and activities of Strummin’. This also established a board of administrators that regularly meets up to discuss new projects of the foundation and continue to support them to grow.
Sweet Sixteen
In 2017, Strummin’ started official discussions and plans for the building of the Strummin’ Foundation. Proceeds from Strummin’ Sweet Sixteen were allocated to set up the Foundation. The concert was a great success with an ever-increasing number of guitarists joining the group, and the concert being a huge success. This edition celebrated all the youthful energy that is part of Strummin’.
Let’s Dance
If there’s one thing the Strummin’ audience loves to do is dance to the music. Strummin’s 15th edition, themed ‘Let’s Dance’, aimed to get the audience on its feet. The choir of over 70 guitarists played their hearts away to the 20 chosen songs including hits by Queen, Aerosmith, Muse, and The Beatles. Proceeds from the concert were donated to Dar Frate Jacoba.
Launch of Strummin’ Single “Lead the Way”
2016 saw Strummin’ take on new venture. During the Summer months a group worked on composing and writing a single called “Lead the Way”. The song was recorded by a number of well known singers that regularly collaborate with Strummin’, including Neville Refalo and Janice Debattista and released to local media.
What a Feelin’
Strummin’ – What a Feelin’ sure created some happy emotions in the hearts of many vulnerable families that make use of the services of St Jeanne Antide Foundation. Sixty guitarists hit the stage to perform some of the biggest tracks coming from Led Zeppelin, U2, Queen and One Republic.
Supporting act at Rockestra and Beer Fest
The Strummin’ Band made a hit during Beer Fest the previous year and were invited to perform again. The biggest ever stage Strummin’ performed on was the Rockestra stage as the warm-up act for the 2015 edition.
Strummin’ For Change
Strummin’ for Change was the 13th edition of the annual concert, and the beneficiary chosen for this particular edition was Dr Klown, a then-new initiative which trains people to become clown doctors and voluntarily work to put a smile on the faces of hospitalised children at Mater Dei Hospital.
Evenings on Campus and Beer Fest
This year introduced the concept of having a smaller band to represent Strummin’ during festivals and Gigs. The Strummin’ Band performed a set during Evenings on Campus at the University of Malta and a one-hour set on the Main Stage at Beer Fest.
The Elements
Strummin’s 12th edition, which was called Strummin’ The Elements, mainly focused on the four elements and therefore songs all related in one way or another to either earth, air, fire or water. During this year, Strummin’ proudly hosted yet another record number of over 80 guitarists performing delightedly in front of a full house on both nights at Sir Temi Zammit Hall.
Tribute to the Greats
The 11th edition of Strummin’ — Tribute to the Greats — featured music coming from some of the greatest artists in recent history. This time round Puttinu Cares were chosen as a beneficiary.
Strummin’ Chroma X
Strummin’ Chroma X mostly focused on songs named after colours, or ones that included a colour as part of the name of the song or the band. For the first time ever, a record number of guitarists took to the stage to raise a record amount of money which was donated to the Malta Community Chest Fund.
All Time Favourites
Who doesn’t like listening to their favourite song? Strummin’s 9th edition was all about All Time Favourites. All proceeds made from this edition were donated to Equal Partners Foundation. Moreover, the nights saw guest performances from Airport Impressions and Two Time Shooter.
Strummin’ The 80s
Flashing lights and bright colours were in season as the 8th edition of Strummin’ was dedicated to 80s music. Well known Maltese comedians Zoo hosted the event, and special guest artists performed during the concerts, including Ira Losco, Jean Claude Vancell and Raquela.
Strummin’ 007 – Sounds of the Movies
Appropriately inspired by James Bond movies, Strummin’s 7th edition – Sounds of the Movies – was themed around soundtracks taken from many popular films. The idea of the yearly themed concerts was launched starting from this edition.
Keep on Strummin’
With the beneficiary being Dar Suret il-Bniedem, Strummin’ was becoming a must in Malta’s musical calendar. This year the concert was called Keep on Strummin’! Numbers of guitarists joining in for the Summer of rehearsals started gaining momentum.
Strummin’ For Life
The fifth edition, Strummin’ 5…For Life, was held at Sir Temi Zammit Hall and, for the first time the concert, was spread over two nights. All profits went to Suret il-Bniedem Foundation. This was the first year where Strummin’ included a large 4-part choir called Symphonik Choir, under the directorship of Stephen Ferrito. Symphonik Choir later branched off into its own project.
Strummin’ 4 Peace
Strummin’s fourth edition was the first, as well as the only edition to be held outdoors, specifically in the Greek Theatre of the National Park in Ta’ Qali. Strummin’ 4 Peace also hosted some foreign guitarists who travelled to Malta specifically to take part in this worthy initiative.
Still Strummin’
The third edition, Still Strummin’, was organised under the wing of Żgħażagħ Ħaddiema Nsara and accompanied as usual by its, now renowned, guitar choir. Songs ranged from Queen to The Beatles and Pink Floyd, amongst others. Local established artists also started headlining the concert, most notably Ozzy Lino and Rust.
Strummin’ Home 2
Following a successful first year, the second edition of Strummin’, named Strummin’ Home, was moved to Sir Temi Zammit Hall. Accompanying the band were around 50 guitarists. This edition of Strummin’ started the idea of teaching a group of aspiring guitarists over the course of the summer, with the final concert taking place at the end.
Strummin’ Home
The very first Strummin’ concert was held at the St Agatha School Hall in Rabat and the funds collected were then donated to Suret il-Bniedem Foundation, a charity which helps homeless people in Malta.
