The Accademia Italiana per la Direzione d’Orchestra (Italian Academy of Conducting) is certainly a new reality in the Italian panorama of teaching Conducting and has its roots in the fertile ground of the great Italian tradition in Conducting. The intent of the Academy is to give back a new force, new impetus and new gloss to this tradition.

Thus, the Academy seeks to be the leading protagonist of its time, its mission being to promote a virtuous dialogue between the certainty of tradition and the attractiveness of new ways, the necessary tension that belongs to the artistic experience.

The Academy is a singular, idealistic, high-level, artistic project created by the Scuola Grande di San Filippo based in Faenza, a splendid city of Art in the heart of Romagna, whose fame shines since the Renaissance period for the production of ceramics of exquisite workmanship.

Principal Teacher and Inspirer of the Academy is Maestro GILBERTO SEREMBE, a conductor, teacher, educator and talent scout, who trained at the school of Bruno Bettinelli for Composition and Mario Gusella and Franco Ferrara for Conducting.

The Academy offers two different types of courses: a Three - Year course and a Two - Year course of Specialization.

Each session will begin on Thursday and end on Sunday. A theoretical opening lesson and a final and necessary synthesis will frame the two full days of lessons with the orchestra.

The first important innovation is given by the presence of the orchestra that in three different formations, from the string orchestra to the chamber and symphonic orchestra, will be available for seven double meetings.

The particularity of this project is its twofold educational value. Not only will the figure of the conductor be treated, but also that of the orchestral performer with some "ad hoc" training sessions for the orchestra. This model will tend to form an effective link between the orchestra and the conductor, an innovative and productive mechanism for mutual growth.

This activity may finalize in concerts throughout the year, creating an effective synergy with the surrounding territory, otherwise impossible at organisational and economical levels.

The itinerary also includes meetings with Masters of the baton and men of culture, history lessons related to Conducting and to the analysis of the physical aspect and the effort in conducting and performing.

All the rehearsals will be videotaped and all the material will be filed in the database of the Academy. It can be used by teacher and pupils for further study and deepening.

There will be favourable conditions for board and lodging during the stay of the students in Faenza.