Description of the courses 2019

For a general description of the Volterra Project courses check the "courses" page  in the "All you need to know" section
NB:
​The ONLY official language of the Volterra Project is English
  • GUITAR
  • BUSINESS SEMINARS
  • MUSIC PHYSIOLOGY
  • WORKSHOPS
  • LUTHIERS' SHOWCASE
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Guitar

Masterclasses
Each student will play in three individual classes

The Master Classes aim to prepare not only accomplished and skilled musicians but also intelligent and insightful artists. The program offers master class instruction with:

Antigoni Goni,
In her masterclasses Antigoni Goni will not only put her unmatched artistic skills and long pedagogic experience at the service of the Volterra Project participants, but also tackle many physiology-oriented issues. Antigoni Goni’s masterclasses will not only focus on technique, sound, interpretation, colors, dynamics, empathy, but also work on the management many physiology issues such as of muscular tension and fatigue, body awareness and posture, muscle use, breathing and relaxation.

Guest artists: Dusan Bogdanovic

Chamber music
Students will be asked to participate in chamber music groups. ​The repertoire for the chamber music groups will be distributed via email to the students in late May. Students are expected to have the piece ready for performance by the beginning of the Volterra Project.
The chamber music groups will be coached by the two 2017 assistants: Luca Isolani and Maarten Vandenbemden.

Business seminars
Don Hlus:
The Music Business & Career Development

You will learn how an independent artist, like yourself, can build a sustainable career that aligns with your personal values and professional aspirations. As an artist in this new music industry, you now have control over what you play, where you perform, when you record, who distributes your music, as well as the ability to sell your music directly to your fans. But the new music industry is also very crowded. How does an emerging artist rise above the noise? You need more than talent to be successful in today’s industry. Yes, the talent needs to be there but you also need to have business savvy. In these seminars, you will learn how to navigate the new music industry and create opportunities for yourself that will result in your music being heard.

Music physiology
Michèle Swennen
Gretchen Egolf:
The Acting Guitarist

  • Stage fright:
    what it is, why we (all) experience it, and how to manage it.

  • Developing the theatrical side of music:
    discover the many voices and characters within the music, the instrument, and yourself.

  • Charisma is not genetic:
    controlling the stage and projecting your presence is an acquired skill  that can be develope

  • The art of giving and receiving:
    building a bridge with your audience allows the communication to travel both ways 

  • It is a child’s play: 
    finding freedom, confidence, and bravery in performance will allow you to re-learn how to play with your playing.

Workshops
Gretchen Egolf:
The Acting Guitarist

  • Stage fright:
    what it is, why we (all) experience it, and how to manage it.

  • Developing the theatrical side of music:
    discover the many voices and characters within the music, the instrument, and yourself.

  • Charisma is not genetic:
    controlling the stage and projecting your presence is an acquired skill  that can be develope

  • The art of giving and receiving:
    building a bridge with your audience allows the communication to travel both ways 

  • It is a child’s play: 
    finding freedom, confidence, and bravery in performance will allow you to re-learn how to play with your playing.
David Jaggs:
Produce your own CD

In this workshop we will look into the process of producing your own CD and consider issues such as;
  • Set up costs.
  • MCPS and copyright, booklet and artwork, photography, notes, repertoire, mastering, duplication costs, quantities.
  • Recording process.
  • Recording equipment, microphone position, recording programmes and techniques, studio or room, editing and recording process, using a producer
  • Marketing.
  • Where to sell, how to sell direct from your own website, digital distribution, iTunes, Spotify, using youtube to maximum advantage. 

Luthier's showcase

In addition to the above, the Volterra Project will host a day of presentations from several of the most acclaimed Italian Luthiers, These will present their instruments, explain the process of guitar building, giving young guitarist an original perspective on their instruments and make them discover the importance of the synergy of luthiers and guitarists in the creation of the instrument.

Participation to the final concert

The program will conclude with the “Volterra Project Laureates concert”, where the students of the 2018 edition will perform in the historic Palazzo dei Priori in Volterra.
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NB: Acceptance to the Volterra Project does not automatically guarantee the participation to the closing concert