Music Courses at Umbra

Perugia is an ideal place for studying music. It is not only known for being the “university city” of Italy, but also as Italy’s “house of jazz.” Every year, the city hosts the internationally acclaimed Umbria Jazz Festival and is home to a renowned music conservatory as well as several music schools.

In addition to its other courses, the Umbra Institute offers a variety of music classes in cooperation with La Maggiore Music School for music majors or minors. The courses are taught in English and are held at the music school located in the center of Perugia. Students have the option to study voice, cello, violin, guitar, clarinet, saxophone, percussion, classical or jazz piano; classical, modern, or jazz singing; ensemble (jazz and modern); music theory; solfège; tonal harmony; and the history of music; as well as practice orchestral and chamber music.

This is a highly individualized program through which classes are created according to student and university needs. All music courses must be selected upon applying to the program. They are held once or twice a week for 60 to 90 minutes at a time. Group and individual lessons are available and students are welcome to practice within the LaMaggiore facility outside of regularly scheduled class times, as well as at the Umbra Institute during specified hours. 

At the end of the semester, students will be asked to perform either a solo or an ensemble for the public.

Sample of Course Offerings

• MUSC 300: Instrumental Performance (1 credit for each 1-hour session weekly)
  All instruments are available, including cello, violin, guitar, clarinet, saxophone, percussion, classical or jazz piano.
• MUSC 305: Voice Performance (1 credit for each 1-hour session weekly)
  Several different vocal performance courses are available, including classical voice and vocal jazz.
• MUSC 350: Advanced Tonal Harmony (3 credits)
• IS 398: The History of Music in Western World (3 credits)

NOTE: This program is exclusively for students majoring or minoring in music. This is a specialized program where all courses must be selected in advance and arranged prior to to the start of the term. Each MUS 300 or MUS 305 credit is equivalent to one 3-credit elective course. Students must be enrolled in at least 12 credits per semester at the Umbra Institute. Non-Music majors may take music courses by special arrangement; additional fees will apply.

Instruments
You are welcome to bring your own instrument or rent one here in Perugia. La Maggiore music school also has some instruments available for practice, to be used in the practice room. The Umbra Institute has an upright piano and guitars available for its students. Instrument rentals will cost between 40 and 60 Euro per month. 
Please note that practicing your instruments or vocals is restricted to the practice rooms at the music school and, during designated hours, the Aula Magna of the Umbra Institute. It is prohibited to practice any instrument or vocals in the student apartments.

Please fill out the following form of interest.