The Curriculum

The Festival Curriculum is designed for advanced violin, viola, cello, double bass, piano and wind students. All string and piano students will receive private lessons, chamber ensemble coaching, and master classes, and they will participate in the Festival Symphony and Chamber Orchestras. Wind and percussion students will participate in the Symphony and some may be invited to play in a chamber ensemble. Private lessons will be available for flute and brass. Students applying individually (pre-existing groups may apply as an ensemble) will be placed in chamber groups by the auditioning faculty on the basis of student repertoire preference and audition tape. This year we will offer also Jazz Improvisation course tought by Prof. Rick Overton.

Numerous public performances are scheduled throughout the course. Concerts are popular and well attended and covered by the local and national press. All students will have a chance to perform the chamber and solo literature that they have prepared during the course. It is expected that you will know your part well and you are advised to listen to a recording to familiarize yourself with the score. Your solo and group participation in concerts will depend on the level of your preparedness. If you want to perform solo works you need to provide us with a list of the works you wish to play so an accompanist can be prepared.

Auditions: All prospective performers will audition for a faculty panel. Auditions will be held daily. You may sign up in our office the day before. If you would like to participate in a particular Master Class, you will audition for the teacher offering it. We encourage you to not be shy and to take advantage of all performing opportunities.

Special activities: The City of Viana do Castelo and the permanent staff of the Escuola will host us with the typically warm Portuguese hospitality. Excursions will be made on recreational days to outstanding cultural and natural attractions.