Home | Smarano International Organ Academy

Smarano International Early Keyboards Academy

OUR MOTTO

Docendo discitur

“Smarano International Early Keyboards Academy” is an eleven days summer course in northern Italy, where multiple interconnected masterclasses about the art of keyboard music from the 16th to the 18th century are held by internationally renowned musicians and experts. During the course, based on historical methods of teaching, the participants can have four hours a day of scheduled practice time and private coaching on multiple keyboard instruments (organ, harpsichord, clavichord, and fortepiano).

That is why Smarano’s motto is a quotation from Seneca: Docendo Discitur, meaning “it is learned by teaching”. The Smarano Academy is a true meeting platform where people in our field gather to learn from one another and teach one another about a valuable European cultural heritage.

Smarano Academy 2023

Theme

The 2023 Academy is dedicated to the theme "From Vienna to Lübeck and Paris". This year the focus shifts to the relations between Vienna and Northern Germany and, more generally, to the intersections and confluences of music and styles between the great European cities, Lübeck and Paris.

Where and When

The 2023 Smarano International Early Keyboards Academy will be held from July 24 to August 4 in Smarano (Predaia, Italy), a little village nestled between mountains in northern Italy. The 2023 program includes a trip to Mantua to visit and play the Antegnati Organ 1565 (St. Barbara Church).

Courses and Teachers

The Academy is characterized by individual and collective work on improvisation and repertoire.
The teachers of the 2023 edition are: Enrico Baiano, Edoardo Bellotti, Armando Carideo, Hans Davidsson, Ulrika Davidsson, William Porter and Joel Speerstra. Lea Suter will be the tutor of the students.

Courses

“Smarano International Early Keyboards Academy” is an eleven days summer course in northern Italy, where multiple interconnected masterclasses about the art of keyboard music from the 16th to the 18th century are held by international renowned musician and experts. The Academy is based on historical methods of teaching.

Instruments

The Academy's learning environment can boast multiple keyboards instruments of primary importance, both in number and in quality, which is an element of strong attraction: 15 instruments among organs, clavichords, harpsichords and a fortepiano available for concerts, lessons and personal practice.

Teachers

Every year the Smarano Early Keyboards Academy courses are taught by a group of international renowned musician and experts from different prestigious European and American institutions. They share historical methods of teaching that goes back to the Seneca precept "Docendo Discitur", meaning “It is learned by teaching”.

Private coaching

With the Academy’s equipment, each participant has approximately three hours per day of personal study, during which, among other things, they can be individually coached by one of the teachers. Coaching is an integral part of the academy and does not charge the participant any additional fees.

Location

The Smarano Early Keyboards Academy building is unique of its kind with an auditorium and fifteen study rooms that allow a privileged relationship between teachers and students, and assiduous keyboard practice. The academy, located in the village of Smarano, is surrounded by the peace and the silence of the mountains.

Friendly atmosphere

A friendly and welcoming atmosphere favors a stimulating and peaceful learning environment. In addition, the excellent cuisine of our chef Claudio creates moments of conviviality where participants can interact with each other and with the teachers, expanding their international network of contacts.

Our statistics

editions

0 +

students

0 +

concerts

0 +

audience

How to apply

Fill in the digital form

Applications are open from December 1st, 2022. Fill in the form with all the required information and enclose your curriculum vitae. Candidates will find the form here:
ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS
NON ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS

Wait for the selection outcome

The confirmation of approval will be sent by email within ten days from the date of submission.

Pay the application fee

The admittance will be confirmed upon payment of the application fee that is due within 15 days from the confirmation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should the active partecipants attend all the courses?

Yes, active participants will be required to attend the whole Academy which will be held from 24 July to 4 August 2023 in Smarano (IT).

And non-active participants?

No, non-active participants will not be required to attend the whole Academy.

Should participants prepare a repertoire?

Each active participant is due to prepare a repertoire that will published by the end of December 2022.

Who will book the accomodation?

After the application's approval, we will send you the list of the accomodation facilities in Smarano affiliated with us (hostels, B&B, hotels). We will take care of the reservation.

By when should I pay the application fee?

The admittance will be confirmed upon payment of the application fee that is due within 15 days from the confirmation.

Which costs does the fee include?

The fee includes the courses, 3/4 hours of individual practice/coaching per day, tuition materials, certificate of attendance, accident insurance, trip A/R Smarano-Mantua (by bus or train).

May non-active participants request for private coaching?

No, but practising instruments may be available for a limited extent.

Will I receive a certificate for my participation?

Yes, when you will complete the Academy, you will receive a certificate of attendance.

What people say about us

One of our students

Very high academic level. Exceptional teachers. Inspiring classes. Friendly atmosphere. Wonderful collegiality between students and faculty.

one of our students

Smarano International Organ Academy was the best summer academy that I have ever attended, and I have attended a lot! Full of good teachers and great people.