GENERAL INFORMATION

The course is intended for composers, performers and interpreters of electronic music and sound engineers who wish to deepen theoretical, technical and creative aspects related to the realization of concerts with live electronics. The online lessons are preparatory to the in-person course and will take place from 10.00 am – 1.00 pm / 3.00 pm – 6.00 pm on the following dates: 8, 15, 22 May; 5, 12 and 22 June.

The course includes two study tracks that require different admission requirements:

1 – Composition track

For the admission exam, candidates must submit the scores of two recent compositions with electronic music parts, attaching any audio files and any recordings of a performance (to be uploaded on YouTube as “unlisted”).

The scores must be sent to the Secretariat of the Accademia Chigiana via the online application form by 30 April. At the same time, the application-exam fee must be paid.

The Accademia Chigiana will inform all candidates of the results of the selection made by the examining committee by 5 May.

The course will have an analytical/theoretical character in the online lessons and a laboratory format with daily meetings in the in-person lessons.

For a limited number of candidates, it is possible to enroll as auditors.

Active students are required to present, by the date of the first online meeting, a score (or sketches) of an original composition for the following ensemble: clarinet, flute, piano (solo, duo or trio) with live electronics, whose electronic part will be developed during the lessons and performed in concert (27 July) by Yōkai ensemble (Piano: Mariacostanza D’Agostino, clarinet: Massimo Restifo Pecorella, flute: Emma Longo)

2 – Performance track

For the admission exam, candidates must submit by 30 April a technical-performance project for two pieces from the repertoire for voice or instrument or ensemble with live electronics by a well-known composer, chosen by the candidate.

The technical-performance project must be designed for performance in a hall of approximately 250 seats and indicative dimensions of 50 x 20 x 5 m (h), preferably with a single electronics performer.

Develop the project using the necessary equipment of the following audio system:

• 9 independent amplification channels with 9 full-range loudspeakers positioned on stands at variable height and orientation;
• 1 subwoofer placed on the floor with an independent amplification channel;
• a wide variety of dynamic, condenser, close-range and wireless microphones with stands and supports;
• 1 analog or digital mixer of choice;
• 1 reverb generator of choice;
• 1 personal computer with multichannel audio interface and MIDI controller of choice, software chosen by the candidate (preferred: PD, Supercollider, Csound, Faust, Max/MSP, also interconnected)
• power supply, audio and power cables, technical staff supporting installation.

The project must include:

• technical sheet;
• diagram of connections between the various devices and their placement in the hall and/or nearby spaces;
• detailed mixer configuration (inputs/outputs, internal programming);
• performance environment created on computer using the chosen software;
• text describing the actions to be performed by the performer during the performance, possibly with additional indications inserted in the score.

The theoretical lessons will explore the following issues:

– the temporal eco-sustainability of musical works with electronic parts

– the choice of technological equipment suited to sustainability

– the adaptation of past works created with technologies no longer available

– different semiographic notations functional to the reading, interpretation and reconstruction of electronic parts

– the use of scripting and automation systems for the systematic realization of electronic scores of high complexity

– the role of artificial intelligence in composition and performance

These issues still present open research aspects that will be presented by highlighting the research and investigative components necessary for in-depth realizations of past and future works.

The practical lessons involve the active participation of students in performing the electronic parts of the following compositions, which will be performed within the concerts of the Chigiana International Festival & Summer Academy 2026:

Verrando Camera Music

Coleman String quartet and electronics

Evangelisti Spazio a 5

Henze Prison Song

Doati Teoria e pratica del cambiamento

Manoury Das Wohlpräparierte Klavier (… troisième sonate…) / Tell me all. Tell me now (world premiere)

PREPARATORY ONLINE LESSONS

In the preparatory online lessons, the works with electronic parts to be performed in the Festival concerts will be analyzed and performance environments will be designed. In the on-site workshops, in addition to performing the electronic parts, issues related to capture, processing and spatialization of live sounds will be addressed, also with a view to documentation work to be carried out in post-production. Through preparation, rehearsals and performances of the electronic pieces listed above, different performance techniques will be studied using the SaMPL electroacoustic system based on d&b audiotechnik amplification, digital mixer and multichannel octophonic spatialization.

During the course period, four public conferences (“Lectures”) will be held:

1. Saturday 18 July (4:30 pm) Siena Conservatory “R. Franci”: lecture by Giovanni Verrando
2. Tuesday 21 July (4:30 pm) Church of S. Agostino: lecture by Philippe Manoury Real-Time Music Composition
3. Wednesday 22 July (4:30 pm) Church of S. Agostino: lecture by Philippe Manoury, Miller Puckette and Juliana Snapper Introduction to the New Composition for Voice and live electronics
4. Thursday 23 July (4:30 pm) Church of S. Agostino: lecture by Philippe Manoury, Anton Gerzenberg and Miller Puckette “Das Wohlprepärierte Klavier” by Philippe Manoury

COURSE BEGINS
IN PERSON IN SIENA
16 JULY / 10.00 AM

ONLINE
8 MAY / 10.00 am

AGE LIMIT
35 years

ADMISSION
Required materials to be included in the application

APPLICATION DEADLINE
30 APRIL

TUITION & FEES

– APPLICATION FEE must be sent to the Accademia Chigiana WHEN YOU SUBMIT THE APPLICATION!

– Course tuition / ATTENDANCE FEE should be paid only after receiving an acceptance letter from the Accademia to the course

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