The Scuola di musica di Fiesole was founded in 1974 by Piero Farulli, violist of the renowned Quartetto Italiano, who was driven by a strong desire to promote a wider knowledge and active practice of music in Italy. For Farulli, music represented not only a vital cultural heritage but also a privileged means of human expression.
Knowing and practicing music, for him, meant both filling a significant cultural gap – bringing the highest possible number of people closer to otherwise unknown masterpieces of art – and offering everyone the opportunity to grow on a civic and interpersonal level through ensemble music, an extraordinary example of cooperation for creating beauty.
The school’s educational pathways are from the very beginning innovative and original, and Farulli’s powerful personality captivates the most celebrated musicians, who are drawn to participate in the school’s teaching activities and concert productions. Before long, the school garners international attention, thanks in part to the professional qualification courses called Orchestra Giovanile Italiana, where since 1984 generations of young musicians have trained with great masters in preparation for their professional careers in orchestras.
Under the artistic direction of Andrea Lucchesini (2008–2016), the courses are restructured to allow students to pursue a complete educational journey, from musical literacy to advanced training, further supported by ministerial accreditation for the awarding of High artistic and musical education diplomas. Collaborations with European concert and educational institutions are strengthened, while postgraduate master’s programs train teachers for new educational projects aimed at children and inclusion. The school expands its role in serving the community by establishing (in 2012) free music education courses in various districts of Florence.
During Alain Meunier’s directorship (2016–2020), the Fiesole pathway is opened up to welcome those seeking jazz training: bachelor’s degrees in jazz are accredited in 2018.
The current artistic director, Alexander Lonquich, aims to train musicians with even deeper and more cross-disciplinary skills, creating interdisciplinary artistic paths and providing students with diverse stimuli through encounters with teachers who contribute to the advanced training programs.
The dissemination of active music practice within the community remains a constant and intergenerational goal: the school welcomes students of all ages, from infants to the elderly, and is one of the very few European institutions of its kind to do so.
Initially established as a free Association of musicians and music enthusiasts, the Scuola di Musica di Fiesole is now a Foundation, supported by both public and private entities.