FILM SCORING
INTENSIVE PROGRAM
MAY 14 – JUNE 4, 2025
SIENA, ITALY
CHIGIANA FILM SCORING INTENSIVE PROGRAM
May 14 - June 4, 2025
SIENA, ITALY
composition, orchestration, technologies and sound design applied to images
a project of the Accademia Musicale Chigiana in collaboration with the
Toscana Film Commission of the Fondazione Sistema Toscana
APPLICATION DEADLINE: APRIL 1st, 2025
OBJECTIVES
This three-week, 90-hour intensive program is designed for aspiring young professionals and students eager to master the art of film music composition, orchestration, and production at an international standard.
Participants will engage in a range of educational modules, from unleashing creativity to leveraging cutting-edge technologies. By the program’s conclusion, each attendee will have crafted two original 3-minute promotional videos (either rescoring existing footage or working with new video content). These compositions will written for a 16 piece SATB choir and a 42-piece symphonic orchestra, and will be professionally recorded in two separate sessions with renowned ensembles.
The faculty comprises world-renowned experts and seasoned educators from prestigious institutions such as the University of Southern California and Berklee College of Music, bringing their wealth of experience from both the United States and Europe.
Currently in its third edition, the CHIGIANA FILM SCORING INTENSIVE PROGRAM is part of the SUONO & IMMAGINE project and the Manifatture Digitali di Siena. These initiatives aim to foster national and international collaborations in screen scoring.
THE PROGRAM AT A GLANCE
COURSE DATES: Wednesday May 14 – Wednesday June 4, 2025
STUDENTS ARRIVE IN SIENA: Tuesday May 13th
DAILY CLASSES: 9am – 1pm & 2 – 7pm
NO. of PARTICIPANTS: 12 (NO AGE LIMIT)
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS: online application, CV, video portfolio, mock-up for orchestra
APPLICATION DEADLINE: April 1st, 2025
INSTRUCTION BEGINS: Wednesday May 14th
RECORDINGS: May 19 and 20 (16 voices – 4 parts Choir ) – May 29-30 (Symphonic Orchestra ORT in Florence – Teatro Verdi)
FINAL SCREENING: June 4th, 2025 – 6:00pm
TUITION FEES: Eur. 3,000.00
COURSE MODULES
FILM MUSIC COMPOSITION AND ANALYSIS – ORCHESTRATION – MUSIC COMPOSITION MASTERCLASSES and CRITIQUES – MUSIC TECHNOLOGY, MIDI MOCKUPS and ELECTRONIC MUSIC PRODUCTION – MUSIC POST PRODUCTION, MIXING & MASTERING – PRINCIPLES OF SOUND DESIGN – 3 DAYS OF RECORDING SESSIONS – SCORE and PARTS PREPARATION – GUIDE TO FILM SCREENING – SUPERVISED LAB WORK – FINAL SCREENING OF PARTICIPANTS WORK
1
MODULES
MUSIC COMPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
INDIVIDUAL LESSONS AND MASTERCLASSES IN SCREEN SCORING
Students will jump right into perfecting the sketches of their compositions in the laboratory with hands-on instructors. Several masterclasses will be held and individual attention will be dedicated by instructors and teaching assistants.
ORCHESTRATION TECHNIQUES AND ANALYSIS
GROUP AND INDIVIDUAL LESSONS
This module focuses on learning advanced orchestration techniques and approaches to writing for small ensembles as well as for full orchestra, including both a live orchestra and sampled MIDI mockups. This module is hybrid with an ONLINE component of 8 hours.
MUSIC TECHNOLOGY, MIDI MOCKUPS AND ELECTRONIC MUSIC PRODUCTION
This module focuses on the creation of realistic sounding orchestral scores using current, professional orchestral sample libraries and DAWs. Students will learn to emulate live orchestral performances using industry-standard tools and techniques. They will also learn to create hybrid scores that seamlessly merge virtual instruments with live instrument recordings and electronic music.
MUSIC POST PRODUCTION, MIXING & MASTERING
Through a critical overview of industry practices for multimedia music post-production, this course covers the musical, aesthetic, and technical processes of editing, mixing, and mastering a soundtrack in collaboration with the director, editor, and composer. Topics covered include the application of basic editing, mixing, and mastering tools and techniques for live and sample-based scores in preparation for the final dubbing session.
ELEMENTS OF SOUND DESIGN
A dedicated module that explores the principles and techniques of crafting unique auditory elements, utilizing sound manipulation tools. Students will learn how to shape compelling soundscapes and textures, vital for enhancing the narrative and emotional depth in film.
2 RECORDING SESSIONS
CHOIR (2 days)
and SYMPHONIC ORCHESTRA – ORCHESTRA DELLA TOSCANA IN FLORENCE (2 days)
CALENDAR
FACULTY 2025
A dedicated group of award-winning professionals and experienced educators.
PATRICK KIRST
Composition and Analysis
Professor Thornton School of Music USC Los Angeles
TIM HULING
Orchestration
Professor Berklee College of Music Boston
LAWRENCE SHRAGGE
Composition and Analysis
Professor Thornton School of Music USC Los Angeles
TIM STARNES
Music Post Production, Mixing, Mastering, Editing
Sound Engineer
GIUSEPPE VASAPOLLI
Music Technology and Sound Design
Professor Conservatorio “Alessandro Scarlatti”, Palermo
ANNA DRUBICH
Composition and Analysis
Los Angeles
VISITING ARTISTS
PETE ANTHONY
Orchestration & Conducting
Professor Thornton School of Music USC Los Angeles (online)
MARCO BELTRAMI
Composition Masterclasses
(online)
BUCK SANDERS
Music Post Production and Sound Design (online)
FRANCO PIERSANTI
Composition Masterclasses
Visiting Artist (in presence)
NEAL BROFFMAN
Cinematographer & Producer (in presence)
ELISA GAMBINO
Producer (in presence)
ROBERTA TORRE
Director (in presence)
LORENZO DONATI
Choir Conductor
Prof. Conservatorio “Benedetto Marcello”, Venice (in presence)
STAFF
FEDERICO TORRI
Teaching Assistant
GIUSEPPE LORI
Teaching Assistant
MATTIA CELLA
Tech Assistant
MARCO STRECCIONI
Orchestra recording sessions
Sound Engineer – Stone Recording Studio, Rome
GABRIELE CONTI
Orchestra recording sessions
Sound Engineer – Stone Recording Studio, Rome
THE CHOIR
This year the Film Scoring Intensive Program is collaborating with the Coro della Cattedrale “Guido Chigi Saracini,” a professional ensemble led by Maestro Lorenzo Donati. The internationally renowned choir boasts a vast repertoire spanning from the most poignant sacred choral traditions to contemporary masterpieces.
more info
THE ORCHESTRA
The Film Scoring Intensive Program partners with the ORT Orchestra della Toscana, one of the finest orchestra ensembles in Italy. Over two days of recording sessions participants will have the opportunity to record their works with a professional symphonic orchestra of 42 elements in the renowned Teatro Verdi in Florence.
more info
NEWS
OUR PARTNERS
The Film Scoring Intensive Program is a project of the Accademia Musicale Chigiana in collaboration with the Toscana Film Commission of the Fondazione Sistema Toscana.
