The Course is open to percussion soloists and ensembles (not to exceed a quartet).

The chosen pieces must be indicated in advance on the Application Form.

The Accademia Chigiana will make available the following percussion instruments for use during the entrance examination and during the course lessons:

• 1 marimba 5 octaves
• 1 marimba 4 octaves 1/3
• 1 vibraphone
• 1 glockenspiel
• 6 timpani
• 2 pairs of bongos
• 2 tam tam
• 2 hanging cymbals
• 1 djambee
• 1 Sabar
• 1 Bass drum with pedals
• 1 tenor drum
• 1 snare drum
• 1 pair of timbales
• 2 symphonic bass drums
• 5 wood blocks
• 2 octaves crotalum
• 6 tom toms
• 2 congas
• 2 tambourines
• 2 triangles

Candidates must submit the following material for the entrance examination:

Percussion soloists: a programme of their own choosing, about 20 minutes long, including important 20th-century works for solo percussion;

Percussion ensemble (not to exceed a quartet): a programme of their own choosing, about 20 minutes long, including important 20th-century works for percussion ensemble.

The course includes daily lessons divided into two parts, one dedicated to the instrumental techniques of literature for percussion instruments of the twentieth century, and the other to the preparation of the following pieces:

The program includes:
Pierre Boulez, Le Marteau sans maître (1954) for contralto, flute, vibraphone, xylophone, marimba, guitar, viola / sur Incises (1996 – 1998) for 3 pianos, 3 harps, 3 percussionists / Dérive 1 (1984) for flute, clarinet in A, violin, cello, vibraphone, piano
Philippe Manoury, Argumenta (2020) for 2 percussionists (Italian premiere)
Salvatore Sciarrino, Agamennone for soprano, contralto, baritono, ottavino, flute in G, double bass clarinet, piano, percussions, violin, cello (world premiere)
Filippo del Corno, Dogma#4 for 4 percussionists
Matteo D’Amico, Hérodiade (2012 – 2023) for two female voices and instrumental ensemble (world premiere)
Luigi Dallapiccola, Canti di prigionia (1939 – 1941) for mixed choir, 2 pianos, 2 harps e 6 percussionists (2 pianos version world premiere)
Igor’ Stravinskij, Le sacre du printemps for 2 pianos e 2 percussionists
Tonino Battista, Viz for 6 percussionists
Mauro Cardi, Miroir 2 for 2 marimbas and 6 percussionists
Mario Garuti, Cono in equilibrio for 2 marimbas e 4 performers
Marcello Fera, new composition for violin and percussions (world premiere)
Paolo Rotili, new composition for soprano and percussions (world premiere)

These works will be performed in concert within the Chigiana International Festival 2025.