Academic Profile
Tuscania Program and Curriculum
Academic Programs: Fall Semester, Spring Semester, and two Summer Sessions (June & July).
The Lorenzo de' Medici School in Tuscania offers courses to students from all over the world in Italian language, art, art history, archaeology, history, Italian culture, the culinary arts, and various other fields of study. No previous knowledge of Italian is required. The language of instruction is English, with the exception of the language classes. Classes are small, with strong emphasis placed on student-faculty interaction. Taking advantage of the local environment, many courses focus on the Etruscan civilization.
A 2.5 GPA, official transcripts, one letter of recommendation, and a statement of purpose are necessary for admission to the program. In addition, students must be 18 years old.
The LdM program at Tuscania is based on a full immersion concept. Because of the town's small size and its geographic location, students live and study in a fully Italian and a more traditional small community-based environment. Integration in the community is fundamental to the program, encouraging students to create relationships in a cultural context.
Course Offerings
Program: Liberal Arts/Studio Arts
Students choose 2 courses (6 credits). All courses are 3 credits each. Students choose any 2 courses they want and all courses are 3 credits each. Students enrolled for summer programs typically receive 6 credits per 4-week session.
For a complete list of scheduled courses, please consult the following website:
www.lorenzodemedici.org/tuscania/
Please see course schedules and course descriptions for more information.
2008-09 LDM ACADEMIC CATALOG IN PDF (1.62mb)
Subject areas are listed below:
SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
The School of Arts and Sciences includes the following subject areas: Archaeology, Art History, Classical Studies, History, Literature, Music, Cinema and Theatre Studies, Philosophy and Religious Studies, Political Science and International Studies.
SCHOOL OF CREATIVE ARTS
The School of Creative Arts includes the following subject areas: Painting, Drawing, Mixed Media, Photography, Culinary and Nutritional Arts.
SCHOOL OF ITALIAN LANGUAGE AND CULTURE
Subject area: Italian Language
SPECIAL SUMMER PROGRAMS:
Tuscania Archaeology Field School - July 2 - August 1, 2009
Exclusively offered at LdM Tuscania, explore major features of Etruscan culture and the methodologies utilized in classical archaeology. Play a full role in the excavation of an Etruscan necropolis near Tuscania, currently in phase three of its exploration. Work under professional supervision and in collaboration with students from the University of Florence. By examining material evidence, so abundant in this region, you will learn about the lives of the ancient Etruscans from archaeological evidence and literary sources.
Tuscania Painting Workshop - May 25 - June 18, 2009
If you prefer painting, sketching, or drawing - do so in an area that includes what was once the land of the ancient and intriguing Etruscan civilization. Capture the beauty of Tuscania and the various ancient close by towns!
CCIS Tuscania Summer Offerings (1.1mb)
"ITALIAN & MUSIC IN TUSCANIA PROGRAM:
In the Spirit of the Italian Masters of Song and Voice" (6 credits)
Tuscania, Italy: June 25 - July 25
The ITALIAN AND MUSIC IN TUSCANIA PROGRAM gives students the opportunity to take ITALIAN LANGUAGE - BEGINNING LEVEL (3 credits) combined with either SKILLS IN OPERA AND SONG LITERATURE (3 credits) or GUITAR AND MANDOLIN STUDIES (3 credits). Please note: there is a limit on the number of students in each course.
Description of Courses:
SKILLS IN OPERA AND SONG LITERATURE
3 credits, 45 hours
Prof. Donna Connolly, Voice Faculty, New Jersey City University
Professor contact at: donnaconnolly@verizon.net
Course description
This course is designed to assist the student in her/his vocal production and singing communication skills. This course will allow the singer to understand the high level of vocal artistry, stylistic
objectives required, and language skills needed by the professional musician.
This course is designed to lay the foundation for performing solo vocal recitals and other similar projects while immersing oneself in Italian language. In addition, repertoire selections will consist of a chronological survey of the Italian vocal repertoire from the first monodic music by Monteverdi, Peri, and Caccini to Mozart, Rossini, Bellini, Donizetti, Verdi, Puccini, and the Verismo School. Emphasis will focus on all aspects of solo performance repertoire and on the understanding of the different stylistic qualities of each composer. Students will participate in a final performance that is open to the public in Tuscania.
Prerequisites: Diction for Singers or some equivalent or Vocal Literature or some equivalent
Dr. Donna Zapola-Connolly
Soprano Donna Zapola has garnered acclaim in her international career from locales as diverse as Bangkok, Cairo, Manila, and Hong Kong, as well as the major opera and concert houses in New York City and elsewhere around the United States.
Ms. Zapola-Connolly holds a Master's degree from Carnegie Mellon University and her DMA degree from Rutgers University. She was a member of the faculty at the University of Cincinnati's College Conservatory of Music and presently is the Coordinator of Vocal Studies in the Music, Dance, and Theater Department at New Jersey City University. Ms. Zapola-Connolly is a member of The National American Teachers of Singing and the New York Singing Teachers Association.
GUITAR AND MANDOLIN STUDIES
3 credits, 45 hours
Prof. John T. La Barbera, Music faculty Bergen Community College
Professor contact at: labmambo@aol.com
Course description
This course provides instruction in guitar and mandolin and focuses on improving performance skills and ensemble playing. While developing the student's level of proficiency on her/his instrument(s), she/he will also have the opportunity to study Italian and Italian culture. Emphasis is placed on, but not limited to, the Italian repertoire for solo guitar or mandolin, music for guitar and voice, and ensemble music, both instrumental and vocal.
Music from: Medieval (Italian 13th century dances, troubadour songs, laude spirituale); Renaissance (lute songs, music from the Italian Commedia dell'Arte, Monteverdi's Scherzi Musicali, Neapolitan Villanelle); Baroque and Classical literature (including Giuliani, Carulli and Carcassi) and Italian traditional folk music. Students will participate in a final performance that is open to the public in Tuscania. The course is designed for students seeking professional music careers as well as students who wish to play for personal development. Students are expected to improve their musical performance skills for this course.
Prerequisite: Ability to read intermediate musical notation, major and minor scales, chords, and one solo piece from the guitar or mandolin literature from the Renaissance, Baroque, Classical or contemporary period.
NOTE: Students will need to contact Prof. La Barbera when they have completed and submitted their application to set up an appointment for an audition or to send a demo CD with their performance.
Prof. John T. La Barbera
John T. La Barbera is a New York City-born composer, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist. For more than three decades he has performed in concert halls and music festivals around the world. Mr. La Barbera holds a B.M. in classical guitar from the Hartt School of Music (University of Hartford) and continued his graduate courses at Hunter College/City University of New York, in Villa Schifanoia (Rosary College) in Florence, the Academia Chigiana in Siena, and William Paterson University in New Jersey. He currently teaches at the Bergen Community College in Paramus, New Jersey, and has taught at The Hartt School of Music (University of Hartford); The Guitar Study Center of the New School in New York; Sessione Senese in Siena, Italy; SASI in Bratislava, Slovakia; and SESC in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
www.myspace.com/johntlabarbera
www.johntlabarbera.com
ITALIAN LANGUAGE BEGINNING LEVEL
3 credits, 40 hours
6 hrs per day (1st week only: June 29 to July 3)
1 hr. per day (July 6 to the end)
Course description
This course is for students who have never studied Italian before: it is the first of six levels, and its aim is to give the basis of the language, allowing students to face the most common everyday situations by expressing themselves in the present and past tenses. All of the four main language abilities-listening, speaking, reading and writing-are gradually developed. In this level, listening and speaking skills are stressed. These language patterns will be taught within a cultural context that will help students become familiar with some of the most significant elements of Italian cultural life.
Topics: Italian alphabet, introduction to definite and indefinite articles, nouns. Regular present tense, to have, to be, there is, there are. Present tense: main irregular verbs andare, bere, venire, rimanere, uscire, and modal verbs. Adverbs of frequency. Sapere and conoscere. The verb piacere. Interrogative pronouns. Some prepositions. Present perfect. Regular and irregular past participles. Past time expressions.
Thematic areas: Asking "how do you say/pronounce/spell...", introducing yourself, asking nationalities. Asking for telephone numbers (numbers 0 to 20). Greeting people. In a café and in a restaurant. Introducing someone, asking and giving personal details. Formal and informal. Leisure time. Talking about how often you do something. Expressing likes and dislikes. Asking questions. Names of food and stores. Quantity and prices. Visit to the market. Describing a place. Directions. Asking and telling time. In a hotel. Talking about the weather. An excursion.
Schedule of Courses:
Skills in Opera and Song Literature
Lessons Monday - Thursday
11:30am - 1:30pm: Master class with Vocal Teacher and Vocal Coach
2:30pm - 6:00pm: Vocal Coaching
(bi-weekly private studio lessons, 1 academic hour per student)
Guitar and Mandolin Studies
Lessons Monday - Friday
10:00am - 12:30pm: Private lessons
1:30pm - 3:00pm Ensemble/Master class
Performances open to the public every Friday night
Italian Beginning level
Lessons Monday - Thursday
9:00am - 11:15am / 3:30pm - 5:45pm (1st week only: June 29 to July 3)
9:00am - 10:40am (July 6 to the end)
Lorenzo de’ Medici is committed to helping students realize their potential, providing high quality education that will enable students to interact successfully with the community worldwide. - LdM Mission
