ACADEMY
CELLO

Violoncello Master's Program in Music Performance and Orchestral Studies

● INTRODUCTION

PALERMO (SICILY), NOVEMBER 2023 TO JULY 2024

The Annual cello Master’s Program in Music Performance and Orchestral Studies is the first advanced course in Sicily with a specific focus on professional preparation for orchestral auditions and chamber music.
One of the most important goals of this Master’s program is to always consider all aspects of the business world and career opportunities. For this reason we have not only scheduled individual instrument lessons, but have also enriched the Master’s program with workshops and activities in the web and digital fields, which are indispensable today in the career of a performer. You will find professors from the international music scene, important opportunities for interaction, professional and technological spaces, and the support of the MARTHA “family.”
Classes are held at our headquarters, in Palermo, equipped with pianos, community areas, a green court and the energy you need to find perfect focus, meet new colleagues and engage in great professional growth.

● OBJECTIVE

The Master's program includes several appointments designed to guide you toward a successful musical, technical and professional career.

● TEACHERS

GIOVANNI Sollima

He collaborates with artists of the caliber of Riccardo Muti, Yo-Yo Ma, Ivan Fischer, Viktoria Mullova, Ruggero Raimondi, Mario Brunello, Kathryn Stott, Giuseppe Andaloro, Yuri Bashmet, Katia and Marielle Labeque, Giovanni Antonini, Ottavio Dantone, Patti Smith, Stefano Bollani, Paolo Fresu, Elisa and Antonio Albanese, and with orchestras such as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Liverpool Philharmonic, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Moscow Soloists, Berlin Konzerthausorchester, Australian Chamber Orchestra, Il Giardino Armonico, Cappella Neapolitana, Accademia Bizantina, Budapest Festival Orchestra. For cinema, theater, television, and dance, he has written and performed music for Peter Greenaway, John Turturro, Bob Wilson, Carlos Saura, Marco Tullio Giordana, Alessandro Baricco, Peter Stein, Lasse Gjertsen, Anatolij Vasiliev, Karole Armitage, and Carolyn Carlson. He has performed in some of the most important venues worldwide, including Alice Tully Hall, the Knitting Factory, Carnegie Hall (New York), Wigmore Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall (London), Salle Gaveau (Paris), Teatro alla Scala (Milan), Ravenna Festival, Opera House (Sydney), and Suntory Hall (Tokyo). Since 2010, Sollima has been teaching at the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, where he was awarded the title of Academician. In 2012, he co-founded the 100 Cellos together with Enrico Melozzi. In 2015, he created the “sonic logo” for Expo in Milan and inaugurated the new museum space of Michelangelo’s Pietà Rondanini. In the field of composition, he explores various genres using ancient, oriental, electric, and self-invented instruments, playing in the Sahara Desert, underwater, or with a cello made of ice. During 2020, due to the global Covid-19 pandemic, Giovanni Sollima’s concert activities experienced a significant slowdown for well-known reasons. Nevertheless, during the summer and autumn months, he had the opportunity to perform at renowned festivals such as Classiche Forme in Lecce, MiTo Settembre Musica in Milan and Turin, Mittelfest in Cividale del Friuli, and for the Scarlatti Association in Naples. Throughout the last year, Giovanni Sollima has also intensified his activity in the field of composition, receiving several commissions, including “Il Libro della Giungla,” presented for the first time in Kiel in the autumn of 2020. His discography began in 1998 with a CD commissioned by Philip Glass for his label Point Music, followed by numerous albums for Sony, Egea, and Decca. Giovanni Sollima has brought to light an eighteenth-century cellist composer, Giovanni Battista Costanzi, whose Sonatas and Symphonies for cello and basso continuo he recorded in recent years for the Spanish label Glossa. In October 2018, at the Cello Biennale in Amsterdam, he received the prestigious Anner Bijlsma Award. In the early months of 2021, he recorded the six Suites by J.S. Bach, symbolizing a return to the essence of music. This recording will be distributed starting from September 2021. Giovanni Sollima plays a cello by Francesco Ruggeri (Cremona, 1679).

AMEDEO CICCHESE

He graduated with top marks and honors at the Accademia di Santa Cecilia in Rome in both Chamber Music and Cello under the guidance of Rocco Filippini and Giovanni Sollima. He continued his studies with Antonio Meneses at the Hochschule der Kunste in Bern and with Enrico Dindo at the Pavia Cello Academy. Winner of the prestigious “Premio Giuseppe Sinopoli,” he was chosen by Riccardo Muti as the principal cellist of the Orchestra Cherubini. He has performed, both as a soloist and in other roles, in many Italian and foreign theaters for prestigious institutions, conducted not only by R. Muti but also by C. Abbado, F. Luisi, P. Jaarvi, D. Gatti, C. Eschenbach, L. Shani, Tan Dun. He has appeared as a soloist with the Orchestra Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, the Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra, the China Youth Symphony Orchestra, the Shenzen Symphony Orchestra, the MDR Leipzig, the MAV Budapest, in important venues in Asia and Europe such as the Grand Theater in Shanghai, the Sala Santa Cecilia at the Auditorium Parco della Musica in Rome, the Leipzig Arena, and the Beethoven Saal in Stuttgart, to name a few. He made his debut at the prestigious Suntory Hall in Tokyo accompanied by the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, performing alongside artists of the caliber of Yundi Li and Ryu Goto on the occasion of the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the historic Japanese Hall. Chosen by Maestro Gianandrea Noseda, since 2016, he has been the Principal Cellist of the Orchestra del Teatro Regio di Torino and collaborates, also as the Principal Cellist, with the Filarmonica della Scala in Milan, the Camerata Salzburg, the Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, and the Orchestra dell’Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia. He plays a cello by Annibale Fagnola from 1904.

Copyright Ernesto Caserato

Massimo POLIDORI

Born in Turin, he began his early studies at the conservatory of his city with Brancaleon, graduating in cello with top marks. He then furthered his training with Janigro, Brunello, and Shafran, winning the first prize for virtuosity in 1996 at the Conservatoire de Genève under the guidance of Daniel Gronsgurin. From 1995 and for the next five years, he held the position of the principal solo cello of the “Camerata Bern,” a group with which he toured worldwide with highly esteemed musicians such as Andras Schiff, Holliger, Peter Serkin, Chumachenco, and Zehetmair, recording for Decca, Berlin Classic, and Philips. In February 2000, he was chosen by Riccardo Muti to be the principal cello of the Orchestra of Teatro alla Scala. Always committed to deepening the chamber music repertoire, he is the founder of the Trio Johannes. He is also a professor at the Academy of Advanced Studies for Orchestra Conductors at Teatro alla Scala.

MASTER'S
ACTIVITIES

November 2023 to July 2024

Find out below about the program for the cello Master’s in Music Performance and Orchestral Studies, the first annual course of Advanced Studies in Palermo that gives you the chance to make the big step from student to concert cellist.

The Master’s program includes 3 types of attendance, designed to suit the different needs of each musician:

A • PART-TIME
B • PERFORMER
C • CONCERT ARTIST
A • B • C

Cello lessons take place over 8 meetings.

3 meetings with Giovanni Sollima

3 meetings with Amedeo Cicchese

2 meetings with Massimo Polidori

Each meeting includes two lessons of about 60 minutes each.

INCLUDED IN THE FOLLOWING PATH:

    • Concert artist path
    • Performer path
    • Part-time path
A • B • C

The Master’s program offers two specific addresses for in-depth study of solo or chamber music repertoire:


1. ORCHESTRAL ADDRESS: specific in the study of orchestral excerpts and in the preparation of orchestral auditions. Lessons will be scheduled with faculty to set concrete goals.


2. CHAMBER MUSIC ADDRESS: for those who wish to deepen their chamber music repertoire with their own ensemble. You can then participate in the Master’s program by bringing your own chamber group (duo, trio, quartet, quintet).

The fee for the chamber music address will remain the same, whatever the number of ensemble members.

● GOALS

01.

CONCERT REPERTOIRE

Over the year, your purpose will be complete a recital program chosen on the basis of the specialization you want to undertake or recommended by the teacher.

02.

COMPETITION REPERTOIRE

You will learn how to design and master the main pieces required in international competitions.

03.

PASSAGES
ORCHESTRAL

Particular attention will be paid to the several orchestra steps, nowadays required with an higher level, in the auditions of all the orchestras in the world.

04.

TECHNIQUE
 

You will face all the challenges related to violin technique, delving deep into the repertoire and aspects such as touch, sound, physicality, breath, and overall, gaining a thorough knowledge of your instrument.

05.

INTERPRETATION AND ANALYSIS

You will deepen the history, the structure and the different interpretative possibilities of each piece, in order to master each aspect of the performance, starting from the score and arriving to the aware listening of your own sound.

B • C

Integration of movement, sensation, feeling and thought: awarness is the foundational element. Physical and emotional tensions, habits and unconscious motor patterns are major contributors to the musicians’ problems.

During the 8 lessons of the Feldenkrais Method®, you will learn to acquire and develop new and more functional habits, gain body awareness, rediscover a more efficient and effective posture, and find a freer and more adaptable breath. This will allow you to improve and make a better sound quality, managing performance anxieties and achieving greater artistic expression. The Feldenkrais Method® lessons will take place on the same days as the violin lessons.

METODO FELDENKRAIS

Teacher: 

 

MARISA GLORIOSO

 

She graduated from the International Feldenkrais Method® Training and is qualified to teach both group lessons of Awareness Through Movement® and the hands-on technique of Functional Integration® (individual sessions).

Her educational background, first in linguistics and then in music and the arts, led her to develop a passion for everything related to body expression and creativity. She became interested in Rudolf Steiner’s eurhythmics, an artistic movement practice closely connected to language and music, and she attended a three-year course on body expression and verbal and non-verbal communication. She studied opera singing at the Palermo Conservatory of Music, took courses in diction, theater improvisation and acting. In Turin, she perfects her stage art, vocal technique, and acting skills. She attends the Stefano Tempia Academy, specializing in Choral Singing, and works as a chorister for several years. Her interest in everything related to the harmony of body, mind, and spirit leads her to approach holistic disciplines: she graduates and obtains a Master’s degree as a Shiatsu Practitioner, attends a Diapason Therapy Course, and a course on Tibetan Bowls for therapeutic purposes.


INCLUDED IN THE FOLLOWING PATHS


  • Performer path
  • Concert artist path
B • C

The seminar “Home Recording. From basic recording to professional production seminar is an opportunity to learn how to record yourself and create high-quality audio productions.

During the seminar, the fundamentals of acquiring basic recording and post-production skills will be explored. All components for a functional home recording setup for the needs of the individual musician, such as microphones, audio interfaces and recording software, will be examined. Some setups of different price ranges will be suggested, and the importance of the acoustic environment will be discussed, providing tips and remedies on how to optimize and improve it. After explaining the topic of recording, the basics of post-production will be touched upon, from editing, to choosing effects, to exporting to various audio formats compatible with different distribution platforms such as SoundCloud, Spotify and YouTube. Finally, the differences between studio and home recording will be explored, learning how to evaluate when to opt for the first and when to opt
for the second option.

The seminar “Home Recording. From Basic Recording to Professional Production is suitable for anyone who wants to create quality audio content in the comfort of their home environment.


MODULES OF THE SEMINAR


  1. The importance of good audio recording
  2. The recording chain and the tools needed for a home studio
  3. The importance of the room: how to equip it. Examples of setups according to different price ranges.
  4. Fundamentals of post production, editing, and audio file preparation for streaming platforms
  5. When to prefer studio recording to home recording

 

Lecturers: 


FEDERICO DI NOTO, SARA GALASSO E LUCA RIZZO


The seminar is held by the Federiscores team. Federiscores is a startup born from the idea that classical music can also be innovation, freshness and progress. Therefore, its mission is to pursue various projects that look at music from new perspectives, which can meet the needs of classical musicians and at the same time bring as many people as possible closer to the world of music.

INCLUDED IN THE FOLLOWING PATHS

  • Performer path
  • Concert artist path
B • C

A classical music artist who is entering the business world or who wants to further develop his or her career needs to attend to all the elements involved in identifying his or her visual identity as well as positioning and management on the Web and social media.

The workshop will introduce the analysis of the strengths that determine one’s stylistic, musical, artistic, communicative, promotional and commercial uniqueness. Through an introductory analysis, the 4 key elements for an organic and functional career management strategy for classical music artists will be examined:

  1. Visual Identity
  2. Website Development
  3. Social Media Strategy
  4. Marketing & Comunicazione
Tiziana-Tentoni,-foto-©-Lorenzo-Desiati

Lecturer:

TIZIANA TENTONI

Tiziana Tentoni is a lecturer, divulger, consultant, project manager and former violinist, specializing in musicians’ personal branding and classical music marketing and communication. She was general manager and concertmaster of the second violins of the Symphonica Toscanini under the musical direction of Lorin Maazel. She has played in the world’s leading halls and with the world’s leading conductors, she has represented internationally renowned artists and organized concerts in Europe, South America and China. In 2012 he founded Amusart, a project dedicated to supporting young talent, online training and positioning artists, festivals and institutions on the web and social media.

He teaches Career Skills at the European Chamber Music Academy – ECMA Pro for the Scuola di Musica di Fiesole, Career Management for Classical Music Artists at the Attraverso i Suoni project, and Visual Identity and Social Media in the Style & Management in Music Industry Master’s Program at the Accademia Costume e Moda in Milan.

INCLUDED IN THE FOLLOWING PATHS

  • Performer path
  • Concert artist path
©-Alberto-Mantegna
C

The presentation of a concert performer and artist in the world of entertainment happens mainly through publicity in the digital world and with the use of different channels, from social, to the website, to the press. During this Master’s program you will be able to create and put your professional website online, with the support of the communication and marketing studio Iride Consulting.

INCLUDED IN THE FOLLOWING PATHS:

  • Concert artist path

Some of our students’ sites AY 2022/23:

C

One day dedicated to a studio photo shoot to create a portfolio of professional photographs that you can use for your promotion and for various requirements: CVs, posters, programmes, social profiles and website.


INCLUDED IN THE FOLLOWING PATHS:

 

  •  concert artist path
SHOOTING FOTOGRAFICO_martha_palermo
C

MARTHA has a recording studio with the best audiovisual production equipment.  

We offer our students an important opportunity to do a recording session to make a professional video suitable for all streaming platforms.


INCLUDED IN THE FOLLOWING PATHS


  •  concert artist path
A • B • C

At the end of the academic year, the conclusion of a journey will be celebrated with final concerts, also streamed live. During the event, attendance certificates will be issued.

 

INCLUDED IN THE FOLLOWING PATHS

 

  •  concert artist path
  • Performer path
  • Part-time path

ATTENDANCE OPTIONS AND FEES

EARLY BIRD PROMOTION UNTIL AUGUST 27, 2023
50% off registration fees

PART-TIME PERFORMER CONCERT ARTIST
LESSONS 8 16 16
AUDITOR OPEN COURSES 2024
PIANO ACCOMPANIST
SPECIFIC ADDRESSES
THE FELDENKRAIS METHOD®
WORKSHOP AND SEMINARS
WEBSITE CREATION
PHOTO SHOOT
PROFESSIONAL RECORDING
APPLICATION FEES €100 | EARLY BIRD €50 €200 | EARLY BIRD €100 €400 | EARLY BIRD €200
ATTENDANCE FEES €1.300 €2.400 €3.800

Prices include VAT

● AUDITORS

from September it will be possible to register as auditors for individual meetings or lectures.
No skills are required to participate as auditors.
Stay updated on the opening of applications by leaving your email in our NEWSLETTER.

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HOW TO APPLY FOR
THE MASTER'S PROGRAM ● ●

STEP 1

Free Audition

Participating in the audition is simple. Just fill out the following online form. You will receive the audition result via email. In the case of a positive outcome, we will send you the contract to proceed with enrollment.

Rules for the video of the audition:

● Free repertoire for solo cello or cello and piano


● Framing that  includes the instrument


● High-resolution smartphone video allowed


● Chamber music address: video with ensemble also required

The deadline to participate in the audition is September 24, 2023

IMPORTANT

Auditions are processed immediately, following the order in which applications are received.

Admissions to the Master’s program can then be closed early, at the time the maximum number of enrollments is reached.

STEP 2

In case of successful ADMISSION you will need to proceed with:

Application

The application fee is required to reserve your place and must be paid within one week of the notice of successful admission.

Attendance

The attendance fee must be paid by November 30, 2023

All payment details will be provided in the contract attached to the admission email.

PAYMENT IN INSTALLMENTS

Payment in installments is available and can be requested after successfully completing the audition step.

CONVENTIONS

MARTHA Academy has conventions with hostels, B&Bs, hotels and bars that are located close to the class venue.

Online
Audition

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