Composition Program
for Orchestra
PROGRAM INFORMATION

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 ensemble in residence.

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 Parma, Italy where the Orchestra Sinfonica Toscanini 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 composition course is led by Dean and Program Director Antonio Artese in collaboration with Prof. Richard Danielpour (UCLA and Curtis Institute).
The orchestra Filarmonica Arturo Toscanini (Parma, 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.

danielpour_bw
Richard Danielpour
Composition
Filarmonica-Arturo-Toscanini_seduti_ph.-Luca-Trascinelli_web2.2
Orchestra Arturo Toscanini
Ensemble in Residence
Single Room (optional - see tuition / fees)
Program Assistant
Performance Opportunities
Italian Lessons
Student Card for University Canteen (discounted meals)
concert tickets for C-GAP performances
Orientation
Cultural outings
Wi-Fi
Professional Audio Recording of your piece
Professional Video Recording of the Final Concert

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 2024 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:
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12th 10 AM – 12 PM
All students MUST be present at orientation

FINAL CONCERT IN SIENA:
Wednesday JUNE 26, 2024

WELCOME DINNER:
FRIDAY, JUNE 14th 7:30 PM

PROGRAM ENDS:
WEDNESDAY JUNE 26th – FINAL CONCERT 7:30PM*
All students are required to attend the final concert.

FAREWELL DINNER:
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26th 9:30 PM

PROGRAM ENDS:
THURSDAY, JUNE 27th, 2024

STUDENTS VACATE APARTMENTS:
FRIDAY, JUNE 28th 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

IMPORTANT DATES

Online Application Deadline:
March 1st, 2024

Draft Scores Deadline: April 1st, 2024
Program Dates: June 12 – 26, 2024

ESSENTIAL LINKS

Final Concert Summer 2019
Carpe Diem String Quartet
Quartet n. 1 “Etudes” by Anthony Constantino

COURSEWORK

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.

ELIGIBILITY

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 8 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, 2024.