In 2024, our Summer Courses become Spring Courses
We organize our courses at the end of spring, which is the ideal time of year in Italy to engage in cultural activities.
Making music together, taking photos, drawing & painting or cooking Italian dishes under the guidance of enthusiastic tutors.
We invite you to live an unforgettable week, full with artistic and culinary experiences. Be our guest in one of the "borghi più belli d'Italia" in the cultural and green heart of Italy: Umbria. Our courses start on Tuesday 30 april, and we conclude with a participant's presentation on Sunday 5 May.
For the first time, we invited two inspiring photographers to give courses in photography. Read more about these challenging courses below.
Music and (choir) singing
The music and dance courses concentrate on the enjoyment of ensemble music and (choir) singing. Everybody can participate at his own level. Whether you take part as a singer, as a soloist or as an instrumentalist, we will find you a suited way to join. Our skilled tutors offer extra master classes for soloists and instrumentalists. The vocal ensemble is open to all (choir) singers and they can follow additional workshops to improve their singing technique. Baroque and modern instruments (a’ = 440Hz and 415Hz) are welcome.
- In 2024 we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Hamburg opera composer Reinhard Keiser.
- Music for the theater by Keiser and contemporaries such as Telemann and Handel.
- Chamber music with and without singing. Gain greater insight into musical backgrounds.
- Choral music with instrumental accompaniment and a cappella. We offer additional voice coaching.
- Including improvisation workshops for instrumentalists and singers.
Photography, Painting & Drawing, Italian cooking
The arts & cooking courses are open to interested people of any level and age, including children, friends and partners of participants who follow other courses. Be inspired by the enchanting beauty, panoramas or the cuisine of Umbria. Experience is not necessary, since you get individual guidance.
- Photograph a new subject every day and learn about composition, lighting, portrait photography, landscape photography, strobist photography and much more.
- Apply different painting and drawing techniques to subjects such as architecture and landscape.
- Cook Italian dishes, as prepared by “La Mamma”: starters, pasta, desserts or pastries.
Tutors
- Antonio Magarelli - singing, basso continuo
- Onno Verschoor - ensemble, (baroque) oboe, winds
- Mariëtte Holtrop - ensemble, (baroque) violin, strings*
- Wilma van der Wardt - (baroque) cello, gamba, strings
- Linda & Wouter van der Toorn - photography*
- Marc Gerretsen - painting & drawing*
- Cinzia Ubaldi - Italian cooking*
* Only when a minimum amount of participants applies.
Programme (preliminary)
Tuesday April 30 – Saturday May 4, 2024 (May 5 extra presentation)**
- Tuesday April 30
acquaintance and introduction - Tuesday April 30 – Saturday May 4
courses, workshops vocal ensemble - Wednesday May 1
music tutors' concert - Tuesday April 30 – Friday May 3
masterclasses in music and singing, warming up - Saturday May 4
presentation by course participants - Sunday May 5
final presentation in Perugia or one of the “Borghi più belli d'Italia”
final festive lunch or dinner
** Dates, times and locations under reservation. Please, consult our website before you book (from 4 December). Performances organised in collaboration with Festival “Musica dal Mondo”, “Deruta, Borgo delle Arti”, Municipality of Perugia and Municipality of Deruta.. We assist with booking travel and accommodation.
Travel & Sojourn
Find travel advice and lodging suggestions on our website. On course days, dinners are organized, €25/€30.
Fees
- Workshops choir singing €200
For singers, joining the music courses, the choir workshops are free - Music & Singing courses (up to 25y / from 25y) €300 / €400
- Extra voice coaching (in group) or Master classes + €80
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Photography, Painting & Drawing and Italian Cooking (per day) €80
If you register before 1 March 2024, you will receive a 5% reduction. If you introduce another participant, you will receive a 5% (extra) discount. Studenti italiani: 15% sconto in più. I laboratori di canto corale sono gratuiti per coristi Italiani.
Fees are excl. travel, lodging and meals and including VAT. We are glad to advise you about your stay.
New courses this year
Turn your passion for photography into unforgettable works of art amid the enchanting beauty of Umbria! Immerse yourself in the art of photography. We start with the basics and explore a new topic every day. Learn about the secrets of composition, lighting, portrait photography, landscape photography, strobist photography and much more. All this under the guidance of two professional photographers with a passion for their work. During these workshops it is not only about learning techniques, but about applying what you have learned as well. Every day you get the chance to experiment with the new skills you have acquired. This course is accessible to both beginners and advanced students. It is desirable to have a camera with the option of adjusting shutter speed, ISO and aperture, but some techniques can be done with a high-end smartphone too. Duration of the course: 1 to 5 days (of your choice).
Five days, five topics, new discoveries every day
- The basics of photography: If you have just started taking photos or want a refresher, this is the day for you. We will discuss, among other things, the essence of every photo, namely exposure (the balance between ISO, aperture and shutter speeds and how you can play with this yourself), focus and composition.
- Landscape Photography: Umbria is known for its beautiful landscapes, so this is a perfect opportunity to cover techniques for capturing landscapes, sunrises and sunsets.
- Portrait Photography: Learn how to capture the beauty of people. Work on using natural light and creating good composition for portraits.
- Strobist photography: This involves taking photographs with a small flash. By this we mean a flash that you use off-camera. By lighting it creatively with the flash (with or without filters) or using fill light, you can turn every image into a special creation.
- Creative techniques: Explore creative techniques such as panning, double exposure, using filters and other simple accessories to creatively enrich your photography.
More information about the tutors: Core Focus Photography.