SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 16 Apr. (EUROPE PRESS) –
The conductors and conductors of orchestra, choir, band and groups of all types from the Canary Islands will be able to improve their higher education thanks to the implementation of the Specialization Diploma in Musical Direction by Florida Universitària (a center attached to the Universitat of Valencia and the Polytechnic University of Valencia) and Edukamus.
Both entities have opted to provide this higher education at the hands of director Ignacio García-Vidal, who is leading this initiative with “great enthusiasm” and with the aim of “improving the training of professionals on the islands and, by extension, that of the magnificent musical formations that we have in the Canary Islands”.
As Ignacio García-Vidal explains, “there is currently no conservatory or school that offers these courses on the islands, so this Specialization Diploma will undoubtedly be a pioneering space for training in Musical Direction”.
For García-Vidal, “directing is generating the conditions for music to exist” and that is what is going to be done on the islands: “creating training spaces with the design of very clear content and very focused on practice. In addition, we have found absolute passion and involvement on the part of the Canary Islands institutions with this new training offer”.
Juan F. Ballesteros Serrano and José Manuel Borrego Bravo, creators of the NEO and Edukamus programs and directors of the project, are convinced that the world of musical direction (band, choir and orchestra) “requires a vision much more adjusted to the true needs of the members of the groups and of the management itself”.
Thus, they explain that the Specialization Diploma Program in Musical Direction “is designed to offer high-quality training tailored to the profile of each student. A systematized methodology is applied that combines collective learning with individualized tutelage, and which reaches in its didactics both for novice conductors and music professionals who want to develop their professional career in the field of Musical Direction”.
INTERNSHIPS WITH FIVE MUSICAL BANDS FROM THE CANARY ISLANDS
The study plan of this Specialization Diploma in Musical Direction is based on a comprehensive conception that includes, in addition to mechanical technique and practices, other subjects such as conducting psychology, analysis, management, marketing and personal branding, etc. with a focus on the closest groups that are the ones that will benefit from having a good director or director in charge.
Theoretical contents such as analysis, management psychology, applied marketing or creation of a personal brand, among others, are taught online, while individualized practices are carried out in person. In the case of this exclusive title for the Canary Islands, students will be able to improve their skills by directing five organologically diverse musical groups such as the Arucas Chamber Orchestra, the Ensemble Florida Universitària Canarias, the Band of the Villa de Ingenio Musical Society, the Octet de Viento SMVI and the Orquesta del Conservatorio Superior de Música de Canarias, at whose headquarters in Las Palmas the course will take place and which will perform the final concert.
In addition, they will work with the pianist Cristina Naranjo in the theoretical-technical classes. They will cover an extensive repertoire that goes from the Baroque (Vivaldi, Handel) to the present, passing through the 18th (Haydn, Mozart), 19th (Tchaikowski, Brahms) and 20th (Stravisnki) centuries, without neglecting the repertoire with soloists, and which will culminate in a final concert in which, among other works, the Concerto for piano and orchestra op. Beethoven’s 58 (Lachner version) with soloist Cristina Naranjo.
Regarding the teaching staff, the Diploma will be taught by maestro Ignacio García-Vidal, Doctor ‘Cum Laude’ (PhD) in Musical Conducting Didactics, Graduate in Music History and Sciences – Musicology (Universidad de Salamanca) and Graduate in Communication Sciences (Pontifical University of Salamanca), with a long artistic and didactic career in orchestras, conservatories, universities and institutions in Spain and America.
Along with him, the Diploma has the participation of Cristina Naranjo, accompanying pianist.
The professional fields that can be chosen after completing these studies are very broad and go beyond the conducting of orchestras, instrumental ensembles, bands, choirs, etc., reaching areas such as music criticism, conducting teaching, management of cultural entities, conferences, workshops, musical dissemination, etc.
In addition, taking the course gives access to a job bank in Edukamus/NEO projects and with the schools, town halls and conservatories with which they have agreements.
PRE-REGISTRATION 2023-2024 YEAR
This Specialization Diploma in Musical Direction will begin to be taught at the Canary Islands headquarters next September and has 20 places. Those interested in taking any of these higher diplomas must apply for admission, after which they will be called for an interview with the Program management. In this way, directors will know the profile of future students and will be able to compare the adequacy of this Program with their professional interests.
Once admitted, the registration process is carried out. To make it as easy as possible to finance studies, Florida makes available to students the possibility of accessing the 2023 MAPFRE Graduate Music Scholarships.