Smarano International Organ Academy – Organ, clavichord, harpsichord academy

Smarano International EARLY Keyboards Academy

OUR MOTTO

Docendo discitur

“Smarano International Early Keyboards Academy” is an eleven-day summer course in northern Italy, where multiple interconnected masterclasses about the art of keyboard music from the 16th to the 18th century are held by internationally renowned musicians and experts. During the course, based on historical teaching methods, the participants can have four hours a day of scheduled practice time and private coaching on multiple keyboard instruments (organ, harpsichord, clavichord, and fortepiano).

That is why Smarano’s motto is a quotation from Seneca: Docendo Discitur, meaning “it is learned by teaching”. The Smarano Academy is a true meeting platform where people in our field gather to learn from one another and teach one another about a valuable European cultural heritage.

Academy 2024

Theme

The 2025 Academy starts a three-year cycle dedicated to the close correlation between the correct interpretation of the ancient repertoire and the knowledge of the sources, the reading and understanding of the original texts with the information they convey and the role played by musical instruments, not only in the interpretative moment but also in the compositional/creative moment of the music itself.

Where and When

The 2025 Smarano Academy
will be held from 25. July to 5. August
in L'Aquila (25-27 July) and Smarano (28 July-5 August), a small village in the province of Trento, in North Italy.
Smarano is a hamlet of the municipality of Predaia, located on the eastern side of Val di Non and nestled in the woods of the Dolomites. A visit to the historic organs of L’Aquila will help to place the music in a sound context very similar to the original.

Courses and theacher

The Academy is characterized by
an individual and collective work on improvisation and repertoire.
The courses are taught by renowned teachers from the leading European and American institutions: Alessandro Albenga, Enrico Baiano, Edoardo Bellotti, Armando Carideo, Hans Davidsson, Ulrika Davidsson, William Porter and Joel Speerstra. The didactic tutor will be Benedetta Porcedda.

Courses

“Smarano International Early Keyboards Academy” is an eleven days summer course in northern Italy, where multiple interconnected masterclasses about the art of keyboard music from the 16th to the 18th century are held by international renowned musician and experts. The Academy is based on historical methods of teaching.

Instruments

The Academy's learning environment can boast multiple keyboards instruments of primary importance, both in number and in quality, which is an element of strong attraction: 15 instruments among organs, clavichords, harpsichords and a fortepiano available for concerts, lessons and personal practice.

Teachers

Every year the Smarano Early Keyboards Academy courses are taught by a group of international renowned musician and experts from different prestigious European and American institutions. They share historical methods of teaching that goes back to the Seneca precept "Docendo Discitur", meaning “It is learned by teaching”.

Private coaching

With the Academy’s equipment, each participant has approximately three hours per day of personal study, during which, among other things, they can be individually coached by one of the teachers. Coaching is an integral part of the academy and does not charge the participant any additional fees.

Location

The Smarano Early Keyboards Academy building is unique of its kind with an auditorium and fifteen study rooms that allow a privileged relationship between teachers and students, and assiduous keyboard practice. The academy, located in the village of Smarano, is surrounded by the peace and the silence of the mountains.

Friendly atmosphere

A friendly and welcoming atmosphere favors a stimulating and peaceful learning environment. In addition, the excellent cuisine of our chef Claudio creates moments of conviviality where participants can interact with each other and with the teachers, expanding their international network of contacts.

Our statistics

editions

0 +

students

0 +

concerts

0 +

audience

How to apply

Fill in the digital form

Fill in the form with all the required information and enclose your curriculum vitae. Candidates will find the form here:
ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS
NON ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS

Wait for the selection outcome

The confirmation of approval will be sent by email within ten days from the date of submission.

Pay the application fee

The admittance will be confirmed upon payment of the application fee that is due within 15 days from the confirmation.

What people say about us

One of our students

Very high academic level. Exceptional teachers. Inspiring classes. Friendly atmosphere. Wonderful collegiality between students and faculty.

one of our students

Smarano International Organ Academy was the best summer academy that I have ever attended, and I have attended a lot! Full of good teachers and great people.

one of our students

The greater strenght of Smarano Academy is the wide diversity of available instruments and teachers who are each experts in a particular field.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should the active partecipants attend all the courses?

Yes, active participants will be required to attend the whole Academy.

And non-active participants?

No, non-active participants will not be required to attend the whole Academy.

Should participants prepare a repertoire?

Each active participant is due to prepare a repertoire that will published by the end of January.

Who will book the accomodation?

After the application's approval, we will send you the list of the accomodation facilities in Smarano affiliated with us (hostels, B&B, hotels). We will take care of the reservation.

By when should I pay the application fee?

The admittance will be confirmed upon payment of the application fee that is due within 15 days from the confirmation.

Which costs does the fee include?

The fee includes the courses, 3/4 hours of individual practice/coaching per day, tuition materials, certificate of attendance, accident insurance.

May non-active participants request for private coaching?

No, but practising instruments may be available for a limited extent.

Will I receive a certificate for my participation?

Yes, when you will complete the Academy, you will receive a certificate of attendance.

Festschrift Smarano Academy: 30 anni di storia in musica

This volume aims to reconstruct the first 30 years of the Academy's history and to analyse, through a scientific-divulgation perspective, the results achieved in terms of didactic training in the field of early keyboard music.

Sfoglia

Smarano Platform

The summer school is organized by the association Smarano International Academy and is part of the “Smarano Platform” project, a hub dedicated to research, production, and dissemination of educational and artistic projects focused on music for early keyboard instruments. This initiative provides an immersive environment where students and professionals can explore historical keyboard music’s unique repertoire, technique, and interpretative aspects, fostering a deep engagement with cultural heritage and contemporary artistic expression.
Stay tuned for more information!