GENERAL INFORMATION

The course consists of the practical study of the various aspects of organ improvisation through its different forms and languages: traditional forms such as variation, fugue, passacaglia, elaborations on Gregorian chant themes or chorales, as well as free forms aimed at developing the most creative aspects within contemporary languages. Topics may include improvisation for silent films or more collective modes of improvisation.

The course is therefore intended both for musicians wishing to approach simple forms, for example for liturgical accompaniment, and for more experienced organists who wish to develop their creativity through a wide variety of rhythmic, melodic, harmonic, and sound languages.

For the admission exam candidates must present two free improvisations of approximately 5 minutes each: the first on a tonal theme (Baroque, Classical, or Romantic), respecting the style of the proposed theme; the second on a modern theme in a free style.

The course is open to solo pianists and piano duos (four hands).Candidates who pass the video audition may study any repertoire of their choice, to be indicated in advance on the application form. It is recommended to include at least one piece lasting approximately 5–7 minutes that may be performed at the final class concert or in other possible public performances.

Both the pieces chosen for the video audition and those selected for study during the course must be performed from memory.

Note: for information regarding reductions or exemptions from application and tuition fees, please refer to the general regulations.

ADMISSION EXAM

For the video audition, candidates must present the following:

Solo pianists: a program of approximately twenty minutes including significant works from the piano repertoire from the nineteenth century onwards.

Piano duos (four hands): a program of approximately twenty minutes including significant works from the four-hand piano repertoire from the nineteenth century onwards.

The selected repertoire must be indicated in advance on the application form.

The course, open to solo guitarists and guitar duos, will focus on a repertoire spanning five centuries of music, according to the student’s interests and preferences.During the lessons, students may refine selected pieces from the guitar repertoire, to be indicated in advance on the application form.

Students admitted to both this course and the course “Guitar and Chamber Music with Guitar” will pay only one application/exam fee.

ADMISSION EXAM

For the admission exam candidates must present two pieces of contrasting character from different historical periods.

Applicants must also submit a short presentation video in which they introduce themselves and describe their musical interests.

The course is open to solo guitarists, guitar duos, and chamber ensembles including guitar with string instruments, wind instruments, piano, harp, and classical voice (from duo to quintet).

ADMISSION EXAM

For the admission exam, candidates must present — indicating it in advance on the application form — a programme of approximately twenty minutes including significant works from the solo, guitar duo, or chamber repertoire, with the requirement of at least one original piece for or with guitar composed after 1960.

From this programme, the jury will select some pieces for the audition at its discretion.

Members of ensembles must each submit an individual application for admission to the course. If admitted as active participants, they may benefit from the reductions on the tuition fee traditionally established by the Accademia Musicale Chigiana.

Students admitted as active participants in the “Guitar” course will pay only one application/exam fee.

In preparation for lessons on Mozart, Bach and Telemann, the study of the following literature is also recommended (in the preferred language):– Leopold Mozart, Versuch einer gründlichen Violinschule (Treatise on the fundamental principles of violin playing)

– C.P.E. Bach, Versuch über die wahre Art das Clavier zu spielen (Essay on the true art of playing keyboard instruments)

– Joachim Quantz, Versuch einer Anweisung, die Flöte traversiere zu spielen (Treatise on playing the transverse flute)

For the admission exam candidates must present:– the first movement of a classical concerto of their choice

– one of the Fantasias by G.P. Telemann

– the solo from the second movement of the Violin Concerto op. 77 by J. Brahms

During the course, students may refine pieces of their choice, to be indicated in advance on the application form.Candidates who own a bass clarinet are kindly requested to bring it with them to Siena.

Please note: the daily schedule will be determined by the teacher each day; therefore, the lesson timetable cannot be known in advance.

For the admission exam, candidates must present the following repertoire:– K. M. von Weber, Concerto No. 1 in F minor op. 73 (1st movement)

– J. Brahms, Sonata in F minor op. 120 No. 1 (1st movement)

GENERAL INFORMATION

During the course, students will be able to refine pieces of their choice, indicating them in advance on the application form.

For the running of the course, solo tuning is preferred.

For study during the course, several modern concert double basses will be available to students. These instruments may be used exclusively on the premises of the Accademia Chigiana during opening hours and according to shifts to be organized within the Double Bass class.

Modern concert double basses may also be rented – subject to availability – from the Simone and Damiano Verdiani lutherie workshop in Colle Val d’Elsa (tel. +39 0577 927099 / info@contrabbassiverdiani.it).

For the admission exam candidates must present the following repertoire:

– one movement chosen from: Prelude and Allemande from Suite No. 1 BWV 1007 by J.S. Bach or from the Suite im alten Stil by Hans Fryba for solo double bass

– the first movement of a concerto or sonata from the Classical period with cadenza

– the first movement of a concerto, sonata or concert piece from the Romantic period or later

N.B. The admission exam may be taken either in orchestral tuning or in solo tuning

GENERAL INFORMATION
The course is open to all instrumentalists, singers, and established ensembles.

GENERAL INFORMATION
Repertoire and technique of 18th-century oboes – Baroque oboe, oboe d’amore, oboe da caccia, and Classical oboe. Reed making.
Solo, chamber, and orchestral music by Bach, Vivaldi, Telemann, Händel, Hotteterre, Philidor, Couperin, and others.

Within the framework of the Chigiana International Festival 2026, some students may have the opportunity to perform in concert together with the professors of the Baroque Program.

GENERAL INFORMATION

The course aims to guide participants toward solving technical and/or musical issues and to teach a self-learning technique applicable at all levels.
Reflection on the nature of musical gesture—applicable to all repertoires—will play a central role in this course.

The “secret” pedagogical alphabet of Marin Marais and the new sources related to it, rediscovered and studied by the Mozarteum research team, will constitute a significant part of the course’s teaching.
Tools will also be provided for the practice and teaching of viol consort playing, with in-depth exploration of its technical, musical, and interpretative issues.

Within the framework of the Chigiana International Festival 2026, some students may have the opportunity to perform in concert together with the professors of the Baroque Program.

The entrance examination must be taken exclusively via video audition.
Candidates must submit a video featuring one or more pieces of their choice from significant works of the Baroque repertoire, demonstrating a solid level of performance ability.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Solo harpsichord repertoire from the early Baroque to the early Galant style.
Fortepiano (five-octave instrument) repertoire up to approximately 1800, including solo and chamber music.
Basso continuo and ensemble practice.

Within the framework of the Chigiana International Festival 2026, some students may have the opportunity to perform in concert together with the faculty of the Baroque Program.

ADMISSION EXAM

The entrance examination must be taken exclusively via video audition.
Candidates must submit a video featuring one or more pieces of their choice from significant works of the Baroque repertoire, demonstrating a solid level of performance ability.

GENERAL INFORMATION