My Background
Education and Experience
My Musical Experience
August 2019
Francesco Borg currently works as a Music Teacher in local state schools in Primary level and has previously taught in Secondary Schools. Also, he is an Instrumental teacher and Adult Educator and the Malta School of Music. Francesco has been teaching for the current 7 years (2 years in Scotland and 5 years in Malta).
Francesco has been studying music from an early age. He started playing the violin and piano but after a few years moved on to the saxophone as he preferred wind instruments. At the age of 12 Francesco moved to Campbeltown, Scotland with his family and lived in the UK for 12 years. Although it is a rural area there is a lot of interest in music and there, he joined the schools’ Wind Band playing the saxophone and Campbeltown Brass Band playing percussion. In 2002, Francesco participated in the Kintyre Music Festival winning the first prize for the Secondary Woodwind Section and classified in the top 20 in the Argyll Music Festival. In Campbeltown he received regular tuition from Gordon Evans.
While in the Campbeltown Brass, he went on a tour to Manchester and several other locations in the UK, where they took part in the British Brass Band Championship; the band placing 3rd. After 2 years Francesco, moved to Glasgow; one of the reasons being that he was offered a place at the Junior Academy at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RSAMD). He attended for three consecutive years where he studied Saxophone as his main instrument and sat for ABRSM exams.
He was part of the Conservatoire Saxophone Ensemble and Wind Orchestra, where he performed in regular Student Concerts and Recitals at the institute as well as out with the Academy. He also played in the Conservatoire’s Variety Big Band playing Tenor Saxophone. While attending the academy, he joined the Kirkintilloch Variety Orchestra (an established community Big band), and played alongside ex-military musicians and professional musicians, performing music in many different styles including Latin, Jazz, Swing, Pop, Film music etc. As a band member he was featured in several concerts and toured around Scotland including the Edinburgh Fringe Festival (tribute to Glen Miller). In his 6th year he was offered a place at Douglas Academy which is renowned for its good music standards. Also, he was a member of the School Concert Band and the East Dunbartonshire Concert Band. Francesco furthered his studies at Perth College UHI where he obtained the Higher National Diploma (HND) in Music.
At the college he took regular lessons from Saxophonist Gordon McNeil and took part in the college events as a soloist and in an ensemble. Also, in the course he studied Music Composition, Music Production with Technology and Teaching Studies, Performance as major subjects. As part of his studying at the college he attended a master classes by Saxophonists Kenny G, Courtney Pine, Bill Bruford -ex drummer King Crimson, and Sting (leader of band Police). After obtaining his HND (Music) qualification, in 2009 he embarked on a B.Mus. (Hons); Jazz, Popular and Commercial Music run at The Sage Gateshead run by the University of Sunderland. His main studies in the course were; Music Composition and Performance, Teaching, Music Technology and Production, Critical Studies, Stylistic Studies and Jazz Improvisation, Professionals Studies and Development. In 2011 he was featured in Newcastle International Jazz Festival performing with guitarist Chris Sharkey and several other students.
While working in Malta he was often active in local cultural events and performances. As part of the Malta School of Music, Francesco with his students performed in front of the former President of Malta George Abela at the Three Palaces, and during yearly festive seasons. Francesco often been offered to perform as a guest musician with the Malta Police Force Band for various local traditional events and concerts for the celebration; 200 years Anniversary of the Malta Police Force. Throughout the year he often performs with local Band clubs as a freelancer/sessionist.
In 2016 Francesco was part of the Malta Citizens Orchestra - a national voluntary team Community Music project supported by the Malta Arts Council, taking part in Malta European Presidency on the 14th of May and in October 2017 during the 75th Anniversary of the George Cross, Malta. In 2018 Francesco with the Citizens Orchestra took part in several other local performances including Mewga Muzika a main event as part of the Valletta 18- European Capital of Culture.
Work Experience
2012 - presently active
Freelance Musician Saxophone (in all the ranges especially Soprano, Alto and Tenor); Exposed to other musical instruments such as percussion instruments.
Music Teacher in state schools
Music Educator at Malta School of Music
Guest Musician with The Malta Police Force
Locations
From1989 - currently
Malta & Gozo, Europe.
Scotland, Ireland & The United Kingdom