Discovering Firenze

We had a great trip to Florence today! We started the visit with a stop at Piazzale Michelangelo, giving us a beautiful overlook of the city from a hill across the river. Above, you can see lots of the students, but we weren't able to get a full group shot this time. 

After making sure to take plenty of beautiful photos, we began our walking tour of the city. We visited the Cappella Brancacci, where Lorenzo and Raul provided us with a history of the frescoes by Lippi, Masaccio, and Masolino. 

Next, we walked over the river to La Chiesa di Santa Maria Novella. We learned about more incredible art and history! After this stop, we walked to the Duomo and then had a couple of hours of free time to explore. Students enjoyed the beautiful sights of Florence and did quite a bit of shopping as well. Several especially enjoyed haggling at the leather market! We all got some rest on the long bus ride back to Spoleto, had a late dinner, and enjoyed a relaxing evening in Spoleto.

Days filled with music and poetry...

On Fridays, we feature an update on Creative Writing and Strings. Today was the end of the first full week of classes in Spoleto! The Creative Writing students have been working with various prompts, including a fascinating study of the same story told through two different narratives. The first is the story of going on a trip; the second is the story of a stranger coming to town. Today, Creative Writing students had one-on-one meetings with Naomi Guttman, their faculty, to discuss their works in progress. In the afternoon, they ventured to the Museo del Tessile e del Costume (Museum of Textile and Costume). 

Mary Slade and Ainsley have been attending daily lessons with their Strings faculty, Niccoló Muti, where they have been focusing on foundational techniques and body awareness. Exercises focus primarily on overall relaxation, finger independence, and efficient use of one's bow. 

Spotlight on Our Creative Writers

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Julia 

Favorite Part of Italy (so far):
The beautiful frescoes and ceilings of the Basilica of St. Francis.
Favorite Gelato Flavor:
Mango
Favorite Genre to Read: 
Classics

Meg

Favorite Part of Italy (so far):
The interesting, inspiring people she has met!
Favorite Gelato Flavor:
Pistaccio
Favorite Genre to Read: 
Poetry

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Cassie

Favorite Part of Italy (so far):
The trip to Siena, shopping and hanging out with friends!
Favorite Gelato Flavor:
Nocciola
Favorite Genre to Read: 
Mystery, Thriller & Horror

Colette

Favorite Part of Italy (so far):
Going on day trips and competing with her contrada!
Favorite Gelato Flavor:
Nocciola
Favorite Genre to Read:
Historical Fiction

 

Creative Writing students with their faculty, Naomi Guttman. 

Creative Writing students with their faculty, Naomi Guttman. 

Tomorrow, we will be up early to head to the beautiful Firenze (Florence).

A domani!

Performing in New Spaces

Today was another full day in Spoleto! We had our usual class schedule, but today the students also had the option of trying out a new experience. Before the evening class session, students from different disciplines came together to form a small vo…

Today was another full day in Spoleto! We had our usual class schedule, but today the students also had the option of trying out a new experience. Before the evening class session, students from different disciplines came together to form a small vocal ensemble. This year, we only have one vocal music student, so we had to find other creative ways to make music together. They started learning choruses from two of Verdi's operas: Nabucco and La Traviata. 

Each morning, the drama and voice students have a class together with Matt working mainly on using the body as a performer. In the afternoon session, they begin with separate times for singing and drama (today Ethan and Ashley had voice lessons with Laura) and then they combine for group work. During this time, they work on scenes, monologues, dramatic interpretation of songs, and acting exercises. They are also brainstorming a final project that plays to all of their strengths and encapsulates their time in Spoleto. Below, you can see Ethan and Jenna at work!

An Adventure in Siena

It has been a wonderful first couple days with Spoleto Study Abroad!  Classes have officially begun, and we have completed our first full day of travel outside of Spoleto.  We spent the day in Siena exploring all that the city has to offer! We started the morning in Piazza del Campo, a well known shell-shaped piazza at the heart of the city.  We then split into two groups to see Palazzo Publico, the civic center of the city, and the Duomo.  

During free time, students were met with a Palio challenge to find the neighborhood in Siena of their contrade to take a picture with one of their contrade's emblems.  Students were then free to explore all that the city has to offer.  

a domani!

Documenting Spoleto

Ciao! In photography class, students have been learning manual camera operation and photography principles while getting to know the town of Spoleto.

Today, students photographed portraits in the town of locals and visitors to the Festival. The students enjoyed practicing their Italian by asking their subjects permission to be photographed

Meanwhile, the filmmaking students were busy stitching together film footage during an editing lesson. Their prompts? Create a film sketch about a place in Spoleto. Stay tuned to perhaps catch a glimpse of a sneak peak of their finished product next week!

First Full Day of Classes and Let the Race Begin!

Students started the day with a regular weekday schedule of classes. Each student had a class in the discipline that they chose to study, an Italian language lesson, and an Arts and Ideas/Arts and Architecture class.....all before lunch. Students had a little free time until we began Master Classes at 5pm. We had a wonderful birthday celebration at dinner for Mitchell Brennen, who turned 17 today, and Creative Writing professor, Naomi Guttman.

Jill Muti, Spoleto Study Abroad Director with Mitchell Brennen and Julia Brennen.

Jill Muti, Spoleto Study Abroad Director with Mitchell Brennen and Julia Brennen.

The Spoleto Palio began tonight with a scavenger hunt for our seven teams. Teams formed and each elected a mascot from the 17 Contrades of Sienna. 

 Visual Arts started the week with gesture drawing in the morning. Students were introduced to the two projects that they will complete-a self portrait and a work that represents their time here in Spoleto. Students visited the local art supply store and met the owner's. 

First Day of Classes! (Sort of)

Today, due to a mixup with the bus schedules, we unfortunately could not go to the sunflower fields, Instead, we set off at the beginning of the day on a hike up to the Cappuccini monastery! There, Skye Wallin, the film teacher, took a moment to talk to the students about the important relationship between science and art, before launching a camera-drone, allowing the students to understand, experiment, and witness the potential of technology and science in the face of filmmaking (and art as a greater whole)

Today was the first day of classes! Well, almost. After the hike to the Cappuccini monastery (as well as a lunch and a hour or two of siesta), students met up with the teachers of their respective disciplines and were given the lowdown of what to expect concerning their discipline and the fun and educational times that were in store for them in the coming weeks. Check the photos below for a peek of what each discipline covered today!

Starting tomorrow, each blog post will be covering a different topic! Here is the topic schedule for the week, so you can keep updated!

On Sundays, expect general updates to the daily life of Spoleto! More moments of daily life, both smaller and larger, will be covered on this day.

Mondays are for Visual Arts, to see what students are working on! Check in on the first weekday of every week to see how much they've progressed since the previous week!

Tuesday will highlight what Photo and Film are focusing on. Join them on their adventures documenting and photographing the day to day of Italian life!

Wednesdays and Saturdays are reserved for whichever city we are traveling to that day! Look forward to posts on some of the many adventures we will have experiencing the many towns and cities in Italy!

Vocal and Drama are taking center stage on Thursday! Look forward to updates on all of their acts and arias.

And finally, on Fridays, see what creations the Violinists and Creative Writers are composing and working on in their class times!

First Travel Day in Assisi!

Spoleto Study Abroad took our first day trip to Assisi, the town most known for St. Francis and St. Clare.  We spent the morning looking at the Cathedral of Assisi, the Basilica of St. Clare, and the Basilica of St. Francis.  

We then returned to Spoleto for lunch with the option of some post-lunch gelato. Upon returning to the convent the students enjoyed some free time to nap, socialize, or even play the guitar.  In the early evening the Photography instructor, Heather, and the Visual Arts instructor, Raul, took the students on a walking tour of Spoleto.  The tour ended at an art installation that is part of Spoleto's artistic festival, which is going on in the city during our first week here.  The interactive film piece focused on the four horsemen of the apocalypse and the impact they have in war and peace. 

After dinner, the students had the option of attending a Brazilian dance performance, which is also part of the Spoleto Festival.  The routine was lively and beautiful, especially since it was performed in the Roman Theater.

Tomorrow we are visiting some nearby sunflowers and holding the first class for each discipline!

a domani!

Benvenuti a Spoleto!

All twenty nine of our students have arrived in Spoleto! We reached the convent around 2:30 PM and headed straight to lunch at Hotel Clitunno which houses Ristorante Lorenzo where students eat lunch and dinner each day.

Students are in different rooms around the convent and each room is named after a fruit (in Italian of course). The rooms are Mela (Apple), Pesca (Peach), Arancia (Orange), Ananas (Pineapple), Fragola (Strawberry), Limone (Lemon), Melone (Melon), Cocomero (Watermelon), Frutti di Bosco (Mixed Berry), and Lampone (Raspberry). After lunch, students settled into their rooms, rested and got to know their roommates. We had a more formal introduction of faculty and fellows and a brief overview of the program from Jill and Lorenzo Muti. This was followed by a game of "Human Knot" in which students had to work together to untangle themselves. 

After our icebreakers and introductions, students made a stop at the ATM and headed back to the Clitunno for dinner. We enjoyed a delicious semi-freddo for dessert and are back at the convent settling in before an early start and tomorrow's day trip to Assisi. 

A dopo!

  

Final Update

Ciao!

All the students have boarded the planes for their flights back to the US!  Catherine is planning on sending out an email to all parents when they have landed, passed through customs, and have arrived at the gates for their flights back home.  We had a wonderful program, and we are so grateful for each and every one of our talented students.  Grazie a mille!

In closing, we wanted to share a few of our favorite photos from this summer. Enjoy!

Final Performances

Our last full day in Spoleto began quietly as students had free time until the first performance at 12pm. The winning contrada was treated to breakfast at Caffe degli Artisti, a local student favorite for Nutella crepes and fresh brioche. Many other students took advantage of the morning to do last minute souvenir shopping, enjoy a cappucino or begin packing.

At 12pm, students, faculty and fellows gathered at the school to view exhibits set up by the Visual Arts and Photography students.

During Siesta, students finished packing, played cards, prepared for their evening performances and stuck around the convent, spending time with their friends.

At 6pm, students gathered at the chapel at Terazza Frau to see final performances for strings, drama and creative writing. On a few of their pieces, the violin students were accompanied by Euntaek Kim, Eric Gratz, and Sayaka Selina-Studer. After their performance pieces, Katibeth and Ann played a surprise duet for their instructor, Niccoló.

The Creative Writing students started their performance by reading a poem they wrote reflecting on their experiences with Jan, their teacher. They also presented their pieces about ordinary and extraordinary- taking an ordinary object and finding what makes it extraordinary. Drama students, Meaghan and Danielle presented their monologues, fully transforming into their characters.

After our final meal at Hotel Clitunno (and a delicious strawberry semifredo for dessert!) we returned to Terazza Frau for the vocal performances. First we heard Opera and Operetta pieces including “Cat Duet” (Duetto Buffo de Due Gatti) by Gioacchino Rossini (1792-1868) “Prenderò quel brunettino” from Così fan tutte (1789) by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart “As summer brings a wistful breeze” from Ghosts of Versailles (1991) John Corigliano “Via resti servita”, “Le Nozze di Figaro” (1786) by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart “Aprite, presto, aprite”, “Le Nozze di Figaro” (1786) by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart “Sull’aria”, ” Le Nozze di Figaro” (1786) by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart “Ricevete, o padroncina” and “Le Nozze di Figaro” (1786) by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

After the classical pieces, we heard a selection of musical theater songs. “Three Little Maids from School” from The Mikado (1885) by Gilbert & Sullivan “Impossible/It’s Possible” from Cinderella (1957) by Rodgers & Hammerstein “Sisters” from White Christmas (1954) by Irving Berlin “Bosom Buddies” from Mame (1966) by Jerry Herman “Anything You Can Do” from Annie Get Your Gun (1950) by Irving Berlin “In His Eyes” from Jekyll and Hyde (1990) by Frank Wildhorn “You Could Drive a Person Crazy” from Company (1970) by Stephen Sondheim and “Some Things Are Meant To Be” from Little Women (2005) by Jason Howland

Our final performance day ended with five pieces from the choir and a beautiful encore performance in front of the Duomo.

We are so incredibly proud of every student that joined us at Spoleto Study Abroad this summer!

A domani!

Preparing for Final Performances and an Update from Creative Writing!

Ciao!

We are now down to one of our final days in Spoleto. Students have been working hard to prepare for their master classes’ final performance. They are all excited to see their friends and family, but they are also sad to say goodbye to the new friends they’ve made.

After an exciting and hilarious Palio race last night, the points have been tallied, and the winning contrade is… Chiocciola (the snail)! “With slow and deliberate steps, snail leaves the battlefield triumphant!”

Since today is Friday, it’s time for an update on our creative writing students! Enjoy the video blog below!

Vocal Rehearsals and the long awaited Palio Race!

Ciao!

Another beautiful day in Spoleto. Vocalists are diligently training their voices in preparation for the culminating performance this Saturday. During the closing show the chorus will be performing six choral pieces.

In addition to the choral pieces, each vocalist is preparing to perform two duets, one opera and one operetta or musical theater piece.

Each vocalist gets one on one sessions with Terry to work on specifics of their parts for the performance.

After dinner we held the long awaited Palio Race! Each Contrada got in the team spirit by painting their faces, singing songs, and waving their flags purchased in Siena.

Ready, Set, Go.....here are the "horses" for each Contrada: Calla, Jena, Lily, Kiara, Sofia, Mac, and Gracie! The race was a huge hit, lots of laughs and fun had by all.

Orvieto Visit

Ciao!

Today we visited the beautiful city of Orvieto!  Orvieto used to be one of the few papal residences outside of Rome and as a result has a beautiful Duomo situated in the heart of the city.  In ancient times, Orvieto was a major center of the Etruscan civilization and many Etruscan artifacts have been discovered in the area surrounding Orvieto.

Our first stop was to the Pozzo di S. Patricio, a 62 meter deep well commissioned Pope Clement VII in fear of a possible siege on Orvieto by Holy Roman Emperor Charles V during his sack of Rome in 1527.  Students enjoyed the cooling climb down to the bottom of the well!

We then visited the archaeological museum, Museo Claudio Faina e Museo Civico, to look at some beautiful Etruscan artifacts. 

Finally, we toured the gorgeous Cathedral of Orvieto, home to the Chapel of San Brizio containing frescoes by Fra Angelico and Luca Signorelli’s Last Judgement.  Students enjoyed listening to Lorenzo speak about the spectacular frescoes!

After returning to Spoleto, students had some quality time at the pool!

Each trip, the students count off to make sure that we have everybody.  Today’s count off timed in at a record-breaking 8.78 seconds!

Violin, a Performance Class, and a Video about Photography

Ciao!

The final week here in Spoleto has continued to be busy!  We have been working hard to ensure that we accomplish everything we can before the program ends!

The violin students have been perfecting the foundational skills and pieces that they have been working on throughout our time in Spoleto.  Master class lessons in the evening are divided into private lessons with Niccolo, individual practice, and group practice.

Tonight was our final performance class before the closing program on Saturday.  We were all amazed with the talent tonight’s performers showcased!

 

We also were able to learn about the work Heather, Photography Instructor, has produced.

The photography students have been working diligently on curating their installation piece that will be on display in a ‘pop-up’ gallery on the main Corso through town later this week!  Enjoy the pictures below.

Also, please enjoy this video update concerning what Spoleto Study Abroad is like for a photography student.