Registration is now open for the Bachelor’s Degree with Francesco Gesualdi.

The Fiesole School of Music is an internationally renowned institution, now 52 years old.

Founded in 1974 by Piero Farulli, viola of the renowned Quartetto Italiano, Farulli was driven by the desire to promote the broadest knowledge and active practice of music in Italy, a cultural heritage of primary importance and a privileged means of human expression. The School’s educational programs are innovative and original, and Farulli’s vibrant personality has won over the most celebrated musicians, who are involved in its training activities and concert productions. The School quickly attracted many international students, thanks in part to its professional qualification courses called the Italian Youth Orchestra, where, since 1984, generations of young musicians have begun training with great masters for their orchestral careers.

Under the artistic direction of Andrea Lucchesini (2008-2016), the courses were structured to provide students with a comprehensive path, from musical literacy to advanced training, thanks in part to ministerial accreditation for the awarding of Diplomas of Advanced Artistic and Musical Education. Collaborations with European concert and educational institutions were strengthened, while several postgraduate master’s programs trained teachers for new educational projects focusing on childhood and inclusion. The School expanded its scope of service to the community by establishing (since 2012) free music education courses in various neighborhoods of Florence.

During the direction of Alain Meunier (2016-2020), the Fiesole program was expanded to include those seeking jazz training: the three-year jazz programs were accredited in 2018.

Current artistic director Alexander Lonquich pursues the goal of training musicians with even deeper and more transversal skills, initiating interdisciplinary artistic paths and providing students with diverse stimuli through meetings with teachers who share masterclasses.

The dissemination of the active practice of music in the community is a constant and intergenerational goal: the School welcomes (one of the very few European institutions to do so) students of all ages, from infants to seniors.

Today, the accordion course is a regular feature of this prestigious School, and students can enroll in the program to earn a Bachelor’s Degree.

Here is the School’s website: https://www.scuolamusicafiesole.it/
https://www.scuolamusicafiesole.it/corsi-accademici-primo-livello/fisarmonica-triennio-laurea-primo-livello

Here is the Bachelor’s Degree program.

First Cycle Academic Diploma in Accordion (Bachelor’s Degree)

Scuola di Musica di Fiesole

Undergraduate Programme (Bachelor – First Cycle, EQF Level 6, 180 ECTS)

The First Cycle Academic Diploma in Accordion at the Scuola di Musica di Fiesole (Firenze) is a higher education programme designed for students aiming to develop advanced artistic, technical, and professional skills in classical concert accordion performance. The programme is led by Francesco Gesualdi, internationally recognized performer and a leading figure in the solo and chamber accordion repertoire.

European Academic Context:

The programme is structured according to the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) framework and leads to a First Cycle Academic Diploma (EQF Level 6), officially equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree within the Italian Alta Formazione Artistica, Musicale e Coreutica (AFAM).

The full programme requires 180 ECTS credits over three years of study.

Programme Structure and Content:

The curriculum combines:

• Advanced instrumental training and technique
• In-depth study of solo and chamber music repertoire
• Specialised study of accordion repertoire, including contemporary music
• Theoretical, analytical, and historical-aesthetic studies
• Ensemble practice and collaborative performance

Learning Outcomes and Competences:

Upon successful completion of the programme, graduates will be able to:

Knowledge

• Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of accordion repertoire, history, and performance practice (including contemporary works)
• Understand theoretical, analytical, and historical concepts related to music interpretation

Skills

• Perform complex solo and chamber music works with technical mastery and expressive interpretation
• Apply advanced ensemble skills in collaborative settings
• Realize contemporary and experimental repertoire, including new techniques and performance conventions

Autonomy and Responsibility

• Plan and develop individual artistic projects with critical awareness
• Engage independently in professional and creative music-making activities
• Critically evaluate their own performance and that of others

Communication

• Communicate musical ideas effectively in both solo and ensemble contexts
• Collaborate with composers, performers, and interdisciplinary teams

Learning Competences

• Develop strategies for continuous professional growth and lifelong learning in music performance

Dublin Descriptors alignment:**

• Knowledge and understanding: Comprehensive knowledge of the field of accordion performance
• Applying knowledge and understanding: Competent performance in solo and ensemble contexts
• Making judgments: Ability to make informed interpretive and artistic decisions
• Communication skills: Communicate artistic intentions effectively to audiences and collaborators
• Learning skills: Capacity for autonomous learning and professional development

Artistic Opportunities:

Students have access to:

• Chamber music and ensemble performance experiences
• Collaborations with other departments and orchestral ensembles
• Concerts, projects, and contemporary music productions
• Masterclasses and workshops with international guest artists and composers
• Opportunities for participation in national and international festivals, competitions, and residencies

Programme Objectives:

The programme aims to produce highly qualified musicians capable of:

• Solo performance at national and international levels
• Chamber music and contemporary ensemble collaboration
• Artistic planning, interdisciplinary projects, and new repertoire creation
• Progression to Second Cycle Academic Studies (Master’s Degree / EQF Level 7)

Target Applicants:

The programme is open to Italian and international students holding a recognized upper secondary diploma or equivalent, with prior preparation in accordion performance, who wish to pursue a professional academic path in classical and contemporary accordion.