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
• 4 timpani
• 2 pairs of bongos
• 4 tam tam
• 4 hanging cymbals
• 1 djambee
• 1 Sabar
• 1 tenor drum
• 1 snare drum
• 1 pair of timbales
• 2 symphonic bass drums
• 5 wood blocks
• 6 tom toms
• 2 congas
• 2 tambourines
• 2 triangles
• 2 cajons

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:

Luciano Berio Linea for marimba, vibraphone and 2 pianos
Luciano Berio Circles for soprano, harp and 2 percussionists
Luciano Berio Naturale for viola, percussion and tape
Luciano Berio Coro for 40 voices and 40 instruments
Luciano Berio Voci (Folk Songs II) for viola and 2 instrumental groups
Steve Reich Quartet for 2 vibraphones and 2 pianos
Andrea Molino New work for choir, electronics and 8 percussionists (world premiere)
Lorenzo Pagliei Polaris for 3 percussionists
Karlheinz Stockhausen Tierkreis (arr. for keyboards and percussion)
Giorgio Battistelli Heliopolis for 4 percussionists
John Cage Imaginary Landscape No 2 (March 1), No 5
Nebojša Jovan Živković Trio per uno for 3 percussionists

These works will be performed in concert within the Chigiana International Festival 2023.