The Program
May 12th - May 31st, 2025
The Milan and Torino program offers a unique opportunity for intensive practice and performance in the culturally rich surroundings of Italy. Students have wonderful opportunities to perform with Italian musicians in a wide variety of chamber and orchestral ensembles. Located in the heart of northern Italy the students are also within traveling distance of the foothills of the Alps, the sparkling waters of Lake Como, and the beaches of Liguria. The three-week program includes daily lessons with teachers from the University of Georgia the Conservatories of Milano, Torino, and Parma.
Other international Artists, opportunities to play alongside Italian musicians, and weekly performances create an excellent environment. Frequent excursions to museums, opera houses, and historical sites are also included in the agenda.
Credits
While in the Study Abroad Program, students from other American institutions will be accepted as transient students at UGA and will receive transferable credits for courses taken. The process of acceptance can be found at the UGA International Education Site.
Courses
Courses available in 2024 include violin, viola, violoncello, double bass, bassoon, clarinet, Oboe, jazz, trombone, flute, trumpet, Saxophone, percussion, piano, tuba/Euphonium, and voice. Conducting courses will be active in ensembles as well as private lessons. Students will receive credit for private lessons and may also register for Italian and chamber music courses.
COURSE Description for MUSI 4270
When you visit Italy in a music-themed study abroad program you will have opportunities to explore an astonishing range of music in its original cultural context. Here are some details about the Maymester’s special elective focused on interactions with Italian music, Italian culture, and you.
MUSI 4270 for the Italy Study Abroad Program is an adaptation of a UGA course that takes advantage of on-site opportunities in Northern Italian cities included in the program’s itinerary.
Field trips in 2019 and 2022 included the girls’ orphanage where Vivaldi composed and conducted, a violin making museum in Stravidari’s Cremona, Venice’s historic opera theatre La Fenice, Venice’s monumental St. Mark’s Basilica, as well as tours of the historic conservatories where lessons and concerts will occur.
Even though this is a 3-credit music history course, there will be no extended research, tests, or term paper. Instead, music journalism (mainly your “observation blogs”) will be our approach, in response to the famous sites, composers, and contexts representing five centuries of Italian musical history.
I predict that the encounters I’ve planned with Italian music in Italian surroundings will change your experience of this music: how you listen, how you think about it, and how you play it. This course will also be the place to acquire some functional Italian language, even if you think you’re at Square One! There won’t be a final exam either. Instead, the professor will ask you to submit a portfolio compiled from your best blogs.
Applied Instrument
All students participate in Lessons and seminars with renowned American and Italian instructors while at the same time participating in Chamber Music, large ensembles, and solo recitals as part of the instrumental participation. Courses are tailored to the facility and proficiency of each student.
Costs
The estimated cost is $3,900 for the program in Turin, Venice, and Milan (plus applicable UGA tuition). The course will offer transportation on and designated date, to and from the Milan Malpensa International Airport for the Students participating in the Study Abroad program. Students will be responsible for making their own flight arrangements. During the program duration, all transportation to the different sites required by the courses as well as Breakfast, some group dinners will take place in specific locations, those are covered by the program. A $300 deposit will be due at the time of application and will be subtracted from the balance due.
The $300 deposit should be submitted online through your application in the UGA Study Away Portal. The deposit will appear on your online application as a Material Submission called "Post-Acceptance Program Deposit for UGA Faculty-Led Programs" and you can make the payment electronically.
Financial Aid - Students can investigate financial aid opportunities on the University of Georgia Office of Global Engagement website. This website contains information on scholarships that are University of Georgia specific and from outside sources, most of those are time sensitive thus the earlier is applied the better chances to receive them. Students from other Universities are encouraged to also check for financial aid and scholarship opportunities from their school.