OVERVIEW
The C-GAP COMPOSITION PROGRAM at Chigiana is an intensive 2-week course designed to provide extraordinary opportunities and exposure to aspiring and established graduate student composers. The program includes individual lessons, daily seminars and master classes, review and rehearsal of compositions with the a symphonic orchestra.
FOCUS
The Composition Program plans to focus on works for symphonic orchestra (42 pieces). Participants will gain firsthand experience by working directly with composer Prof. Richard Danielpour and the ensemble of the professional Orchestra Arturo Toscanini in Parma, Italy with the goal of premiering a new work at the end of the program and at the Primavera Chigiana Festival (May – June 2024) . Each participant receives a professional audio and video recording of the composition they workshop during the program.
WHAT DOES THE PROGRAM OFFER?
The C-GAP Summer Program is an intensive opportunity to study abroad in Siena, Italy at the world renowned Accademia Musicale Chigiana. The program is tailored towards graduate students currently enrolled at institutions of higher learning.
Participants will leave the Accademia Chigiana with a professional recording of their piece and a video recording of the final concert.
Composers will participate in group lessons with the professor and rehearsals in Padua, Italy where the Orchestra di Padova e del Veneto will workshop their piece. The activities of the Composition program take place within the festival Primavera Chigiana. Students are also given the opportunity to participate in the cultural outings organized amongst all Chigiana Global Programs.
The activities of the Composition program take place within the festival Primavera Chigiana. Students are also given the opportunity to participate in the cultural outings organized amongst all Chigiana Global Programs.
The composition course is led by Dean and Program Director Antonio Artese in collaboration with Prof. Richard Danielpour (UCLA and Curtis Institute).
The Orchestra di Padova e del Veneto (Padua, Italy) is the ensemble in residence under the baton of Maestro Tonino Battista.
WHO SHOULD APPLY?
We invite applications from graduate students and talented undergraduates upon recommendation. If currently enrolled, applicants should be in good academic standing and have a GPA of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale. International students and students from historically underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.
The Program is open to all students from any accredited institution of higher learning and offers space to a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 12 students.
PROGRAM TUITION AND FEES
USD 5,000 (tuition fee – no housing)
USD 6,000 (tuition fee with housing provided by Chigiana in private apartment and double room)
USD 6,500 (tuition fee with housing provided by Chigiana in private apartment and single room)
April 7th – $500 deposit due (applied directly to program fees)
May 1st – Tuition balance due
Fees DO NOT include: travel to/from Italy, airport transfer to/from Siena, regular meals, international phone plan, optional weekend travel.
We encourage students to explore financial aid and scholarship opportunities at their home university and through external funding sources.
We are available to provide additional program information to students applying for grants and scholarships.
C-GAP 2025 COMPOSITION PROGRAM – 2 WEEKS
COMPLETED DRAFT WORKS DUE:
MONDAY, APRIL 1st
ONLINE ORIENTATION via Zoom
TBD
STUDENTS ARRIVAL:
TUESDAY, JUNE 11th
to be coordinated with program advisor
ON-SITE ORIENTATION:
MONDAY, JUNE 16th 10 AM – 12 PM
All students MUST be present at orientation
FINAL CONCERT IN PADUA, ITALY:
SUNDAY JUNE 29, 2025
WELCOME DINNER:
MONDAY, JUNE 16 7:30 PM
PROGRAM ENDS:
SUNDAY JUNE 29th – FINAL CONCERT 7:30PM*
All students are required to attend the final concert.
FAREWELL DINNER:
SUNDAY, JUNE 29th 9:30 PM
STUDENTS VACATE APARTMENTS:
MONDAY, JUNE 30th by 10 AM
Duration:
Each composition must be between 5 to 8 minutes in length.
This duration is strict to ensure adequate time for review and performance within course schedules.
Instrumentation Specifications:
– 2 Flutes
– 2 Oboes (second doubling English Horn)
– 2 B♭ Clarinets
– 2 Bassoons
– 2 French Horns in F
– 2 Trumpets in C
– 2 Trombones (one tenor, one bass)
– 1 Timpani player
– 2 Percussionists (with assorted percussion instruments)
– 1 Piano
– 1 Harp
– 7 Violins I
– 6 Violins II
– 4 Violas
– 4 Cellos
– 2 Double Basses
Deadline for submission of Complete Draft:
April 1st, 2024
Send the works to: admissions@chigiana.org
Gallery C-GAP Composition class past program – June 2023
Online Application Deadline:
March 1st, 2025
Draft Scores Deadline: April 1st, 2025
Program Dates: June 15 – 29, 2025
Final Concert Summer 2019
Carpe Diem String Quartet
Quartet n. 1 “Etudes” by Anthony Constantino
Mornings are usually kept free of course activities. Each afternoon, sessions are spent in group lessons with Prof. Danielpour, focusing on the pieces of 2-3 composers. All teaching is conducted in English, with Anthony Constantino serving as the Assistant to the course.
Classes are held from Monday to Friday. Prof. Danielpour will hold office hours on Friday.
The C-GAP COMPOSITION PROGRAM is open to all graduate-level students from any university. Applicants must be between 19 and 40 years old as of March 1st. The program will accept a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 12 student composers who are either currently enrolled in graduate schools or have graduated with their bachelors degree and are in the process of applying to graduate school. Talented undergraduates are welcome to apply.
REQUIREMENTS:
- The works chosen for this course shall be no less than 5 minutes and no more than 7 minutes in length and should be composed for orchestra (see REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDENT WORKS)
- A complete draft of the work for orchestra that will be rehearsed and performed during the summer session must be submitted by April 1st, 2025.