Andrea Portera – Composition (2025–2026)
Postgraduate course in composition
Teacher: Andrea Portera – 9 sessions, each consisting of two or three consecutive days of lessons
The postgraduate course in composition at the Scuola di Musica di Fiesole is a high-level educational programme open to students of all ages and nationalities who wish to deepen their understanding of composition, with particular attention to orchestration.The students’ training will also be supported by advanced analytical tools.
The course is structured over two academic years and includes the preparation and public performance of original works produced by the participants, in order to identify concrete professional opportunities for each student. The school’s artistic director and the course teacher will evaluate the students’ compositions with a view towards possible collaborations with the School’s orchestras, including the Orchestra dei Ragazzi, the Orchestra Galilei, and the Orchestra Giovanile Italiana. Participants may also receive commissions from other prominent ensembles, such as the Orchestra Sinfonica di Sanremo and the Orchestra Antonio Vivaldi.
Throughout the academic year, students will collaborate with the school’s chamber music classes.
Among second-year students one composer will be selected—at the sole discretion of the teacher and of Valentina Peleggi, music director of the american ensemble—to write a new work for the Richmond Symphony Orchestra (Virginia, USA), thus gaining the unique opportunity to have an international premiere.
Special attention is devoted to preparing students for international composition competitions. Young composers who choose this course will benefit from the experience and expertise of Andrea Portera, who has won over twenty-six first prizes in competitions worldwide and successfully guided many students to similar achievements in leading international competitions.Durante l’anno scolastico sarà attiva una collaborazione tra gli studenti e le classi di musica da camera della Scuola.
The postgraduate course in composition is intended for musicians of all ages and nationalities. A diploma is not required, but candidates must demonstrate exceptional artistic ability in the field of composition.
Both the first and second years consist of nine monthly sessions, supplemented by participation in the school’s planned artistic activities.
The curriculum includes:
- group and individual lessons
- conducting lessons for composers, led by Valentina Peleggi (conductor and music director of the Richmond Symphony Orchestra)
- focus on contemporary orchestration
- theory and practical seminars with the school’s orchestras
Students will also take part in the internal composition competition “Premio Veretti”, in orchestral productions of the school and will attend meetings with established artists and music institution professionals.
Admission is open to candidates who demonstrate exceptional artistic talent in the field of composition.
Applicants will be asked to draft their own “Manifesto” which will be discussed and analysed with teachers and fellow students as a way to intellectually explore the personal motivations behind their artistic practice.
Applicants must complete the online application form and upload the following documents:
- diploma certificate (if applicable)
- letter of motivation
- artistic résumé
- examination program (list of submitted works)
- copy of passport or other valid ID
- receipt of payment for the registration fee
Applicants must also submit two original scores for different instrumentations. Recordings of these works, if available, may be included.
Submitted files must adhere to the following format:
- scores in PDF
- video recordings in MP4
- audio recordings in MP3
Each file must be labelled with the applicant’s LASTNAME and first name, title of composition (e.g. ROSSI_Mario_Symphony.pdf). Please follow the indicated order to facilitate indexin of files.
Scores and recordings that do not meet these criteria will not be accepted for the entrance examination.
Scores and recordings must be sent via WeTransfer to: andrea.portera@scuolamusicafiesole.it
The entrance examination will take place at the school and will consist of the evaluation and discussion of submitted compositions, along with any topics proposed by the examination panel. Candidates must bring a valid ID and printed copies of the submitted scores. Upon request, the exam may be conducted online.
composers
application deadline: 30 September 2025
8th October in presence or online (request by e-mail to v.trambusti@scuolamusica.fiesole.fi.it
2025
October: 14, 15
November: 14, 15, 16
December: 11, 12, 13
2026
January: 12, 13, 14
February: 16, 17, 18
March: 16, 17, 18
April: 18, 19
May: 8, 9, 10
June: 19, 20, 21
Individual annual registration fee (non-refundable, to be paid at the time of application and also valid for auditors): € 130.
Individual annual attendance fee, to be paid in one instalment by 10 November, or in monthly instalments via bank debit/credit card with a 5% surcharge: € 1,400