PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Introduction
It has been said that Leonardo da Vinci, the famous Florentine, represents an archetype of the Renaissance Man with his unquenchable curiosity and feverishly inventive imagination.(Gardner, H. 1970)) It will take nothing short of a burning desire to fully exercise one’s imaginative powers to restructure the trajectory of culture as it exists in America today. Everything from music to food is packaged to us with the illusion of a dizzying number of choices that belie their uniformity and paucity of value. A great part of American culture is defined by everything that is antithetical to developing a sensitivity and appreciation for beauty, and therefore, what it means to strive for the noble in each of us.
The Italians call Florence “La Culla del Rinascimento Italiano.” What better place to renew one’s commitment to the value of the arts than the birthplace of the Renaissance? The battle to transform American culture begins with the artist himself and the strength of his commitment to this on-going struggle. Once the transformation takes place from within, he will come up with a new paradigm for thinking, creating, performing, and sharing his art.

Italian Renaissance artists were at the core of an enormous cultural and ideological change. Through art, music, literature, architecture and philosophy, they influenced thought, social norms and systems of government and economy. Their powerful example as agents of change remains a model of the role art and artists can play in social development.

Generations of students have studied and been inspired by the Italian Renaissance. This 6-credit Study Abroad program takes a new step in Renaissance study by examining artistic entrepreneurialism from both historical and current perspectives. Through immersion in the Italian environment, in-depth artistic studies, and entrepreneurial discussions and workshops, these students will emerge empowered and inspired, ready to take on a transformative role as artistic entrepreneurs.

 

Program objective
Artists today stand at a critical juncture – whether to continue business as usual or to face the crucial challenge of reshaping our cultural landscape. Renaissance Then and Now is a program designed to integrate two or more fields of study, chosen from the following: Performance Studies (music), Music History, Art History of the Renaissance, History of the Renaissance, and Architecture of the Renaissance. Students will also have the opportunity to take an additional workshop in Entrepreneurship, and experience performances at the Institute by the Institute faculty and guest artists (i.e. Master Classes with Massimo Lonardi, one of the world’s great Lute players and other visiting artists), as well as performances and site visits throughout Florence.

The goal of this 6-credit program is to convey the spirit and the “energia”, of the Renaissance. By studying this period of great rebirth in Italy – its music, architecture, visual arts and history - students will come away with an idea of what would be necessary to impact a rebirth in the culture of arts today. The program is open to all students.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

PERFORMANCE TRACK
Includes the following for a total of 6 credits - 6 weeks of instruction. 

INSTRUCTION	CREDITS	COURSES
1 PERFORMANCE STUDIES COURSE	3 credits	Choose one from: VIOLIN, VIOLA, CELLO, GUITAR, PIANO, VOICE
1 ACADEMIC COURSE OFFERED AT PALAZZO RUCELLAI	3 credits	Choose one from: MUS 201 - MUSIC HISTORY OF THE RENAISSANCE ART HISTORY – AAH 214: THE ART OF FLORENCE: EXPLORING VISUAL CULTURE ARCHITECTURE – HP 391: ARCHITECTURE IN ITALY HISTORY – HIST 4320: FLORENCE: THE STORY OF THE CITY
1 WORKSHOP IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP	0	Participation in the workshop is mandatory
MASTER CLASSES - PERFORMANCES	0	Attendance to master classes & erformances is mandatory

For ALL Students on the Performance Track – Up to 10-minute audio or video is required one month prior to the program (send e-audio or link to Judith.glyde@colorado.edu). This audio/video is for chamber music placement only. You should choose the repertoire that would highlight your strengths as a player. If you have any questions about repertoire, please contact Judith Glyde.
Prior to the program, students should be in touch with Judith Glyde to discuss repertoire. Sheet music, including chamber music, should be brought with you to Italy. Students (except pianists) should bring a lightweight music stand.