Information About "Si parla, si canta"
Please read our 'Frequently Asked Questions'
The Money Issues
Tuition and LodgingThe amount the program costs depends on which of the two programs you’re attending.
The Four Week Program - June 2nd to June 30th, 2012
There is a non-refundable deposit that must be paid by April 1, 2012 in order to reserve your place in the “Si parla, si canta” program. Send a check or money order payable to “Si parla, si canta” in the amount of $1,350 (USD) to: “Si parla, si canta,” Benton Hess, Artistic Director, 1900 Empire Boulevard #234, Webster, NY 14580 (USA).
The remainder of the tuition must be paid by May 1, 2012. The amount you owe will vary according to what type of lodging arrangement you wish to make:
• If you choose to be in an apartment with other students in the program in a double room, you will owe $2,587 (USD).
• If you choose to be in an apartment with other students in the program in a single room, you will owe $2,786 (USD).
• If you choose to live with an Italian family (this arrangement includes breakfast and dinner) in a double room with another student in the program, you will owe $3,080 (USD).
• If you choose to live with an Italian family (this arrangement includes breakfast and dinner) in a single room, you will owe $3,163 (USD).
What you get for your money ...
- Bus transfer from Milan’s Malpensa Airport directly to Urbania
- Four weeks of intensive Italian instruction at Centro Studi Italiani (a total of 94 hours)
- All required textbooks and notebooks for the Italian courses
- At least two private coachings per week on your solo repertoire
- Group coachings and rehearsals on assigned repertoire
- All assigned music is provided (posted on the website and available to download to your computer...available no later than April 15, 2012)
- Master classes with internationally known artists
- Housing in a fully appointed apartment or with an Italian family
- Incredible performance opportunities in stunning venues
- Bus transfer from Urbania to Milan at the end of the program
The Six Week Program - June 2nd to July 14th, 2012
There is a non-refundable deposit that must be paid by April 1, 2012 in order to reserve your place in the “Si parla, si canta” program. Send a check or money order payable to “Si parla, si canta” in the amount of $1,350 (USD) to: “Si parla, si canta,” Benton Hess, Artistic Director, 1900 Empire Boulevard #234, Webster, NY 14580 (USA).
The remainder of the tuition must be paid by May 1, 2012. The amount you owe will vary according to what type of lodging arrangement you wish to make:
• If you choose to be in an apartment with other students in the program in a double room, you will owe $4,598 (USD).
• If you choose to be in an apartment with other students in the program in a single room, you will owe $4,895 (USD).
• If you choose to live with an Italian family (this arrangement includes breakfast and dinner) in a double room with another student in the program, you will owe $5,337 (USD).
• If you choose to live with an Italian family (this arrangement includes breakfast and dinner) in a single room, you will owe $5,462 (USD).
What you get for your money ...
•Bus transfer from Milan’s Malpensa Airport directly to Urbania
• Six weeks of intensive Italian instruction at Centro Studi Italiani (a total of 141 hours)
• All required textbooks and notebooks for the Italian courses
• At least two private coachings per week on your solo repertoire
• Group coachings and rehearsals on assigned repertoire
• All assigned music is provided (posted on the website and available to download to your computer...available no later than April 15, 2012)
• Master classes with internationally known artists, including the special class with Maestro Alberto Zedda and the residency of Håkan Hagegård
• Housing in a fully appointed apartment or with an Italian family
• Incredible performance opportunities in stunning venues, including the popular American Music Concert on July 4th
• Bus transportation from Urbania to Verona, Italy on July 7th
• Tours of Verona and Venice, including a special tour of the Teatro La Fenice
• A ticket to an operatic performance at the famous Arena di Verona
• A night in a beautiful 4-star hotel in Verona
• Bus transportation return from Venice to Urbania on July 8th
• Bus transfer from Urbania to Milan at the end of the program.
Map of Italy and Urbania
Click here to view a map of Italy showing Urbania and surrounding cities.
ATMs, Banks and More
While you are in Urbania you will undoubtedly have need of some cash from time to time. Italian banks are very accustomed to cashing traveler’s checks in US dollars, should you choose to purchase them through your own American bank. There are also several ATMs in Urbania, which will give you Euros from your debit or credit cards. ATMs limit the amount you may withdraw to €250 per day. Before leaving for Europe, it’s a good idea to call the customer service number on any of your credit cards you think you might be using overseas, to let them know that you will be making purchases/withdrawals abroad.
What You Will Need in Urbania
The Weather, Electronics, Internet Access, Cell Phones, Laundry and More...“Si parla, si canta” takes place just at the time when Urbania is moving from spring, which can be damp and a little chilly, into summer, which can be pretty warm and muggy. Bring a sweater or a jacket for cool evenings, but be prepared never to wear it. Bring an umbrella, but be prepared never to open it. Bring comfortable summer clothing and comfortable walking shoes. You’ll live your life in Urbania pretty informally, but you’ll want to dress up for your concert appearances. Women should bring a gown, but remember that the theatres can get pretty hot. Leave the velvet at home. Men should bring a dark suit. Remember that you’ll probably be doing a considerable amount of sight-seeing, and in Italy churches will frequently not admit visitors with bare shoulders or who are wearing shorts that are the slightest bit provocative. So, when you go on excursions, cover up.
The Italian electric system is based on direct current, 220 volts. This can pretty much ruin (and by that, I mean…fry) an American appliance, should you plug your razor or hair dryer into it by mistake - not to mention your laptop computer. If you’re going to bring such things to Italy, you’ll need an electric converter. Don’t confuse “converter” with “adapter.” An “adapter” simply allows you to plug an American appliance with a flat-pronged plug into a receptacle which receives the European round-pronged plugs. You need a “converter,” which actually changes the voltage. These are not very expensive and can be purchased at a store like Radio Shack or Sharper Image. If you forget, they are also available in Italy, but tend to cost more.
Speaking of internet access…In Urbania there are several places to go to check your E-mail. There’s a very trendy internet café where you can pay for the use of their computer by the minute or use their wireless access for your laptop for free. There’s another place right downtown, with a bank of computers on one side of the room and a bank of international phones on the other. This is called “The Internet Point,” and the prices are very reasonable. It is run by a very helpful and friendly English-speaking Pakistani named Muneer. Centro Studi also has a room full of computers, which are available for use when a class is not being held in that room. You’ll not have any trouble “staying in touch.”The apartments in which you will be living do not typically have telephones. Do not assume that your regular cell phone will work in Europe. Unless you have a “global phone,” it won’t. You can buy a phone card (it’s called a “scheda”) to use with the public phones. You can go to Muneer’s establishment, described above, and use his phones (very cheaply!). Or you may even choose to invest in an Italian cell phone. They aren’t terribly expensive and you can purchase a card (inserted in the phone) with a certain number of minutes. If you plan to return to Europe often, this may be an option.
Some apartments have clothes washers; others don’t. Dryers are extremely rare in Italy. There are laundries and dry cleaners around town, but they’re pricey, so be prepared to have to wash your unmentionables by hand.
Any prescription drugs you need or special ointments and balms you desire (that includes your brand of deodorant), by all means bring with you. There are two pharmacies in downtown Urbania, and the people who work there are very helpful. Hopefully, this piece of information is not needed, but should you get sick and have to go to the hospital, medical care in Italy is free…but…Don’t get sick!
Bring any solo music you think you might want to work on (arias and songs) and, while you’re at it, bring a photo-copy for an accompanist. In case this fact isn’t obvious, we work only on music in Italian. But you might want to bring along that stunning American musical theater piece in case the opportunity arises to perform it. Ensemble repertoire (duets, trios, etc.) will be assigned by April 15th. Arrive in Urbania with it translated, learned, at least close to memorized, and ready to work on.
Just one more thing: Bring two passport sized photos for your student ID tag at Centro Studi. There’s a wonderful photographer named Luciano in Urbania who can take your picture if you forget, but it’s easier if you bring them.
Come ready to work harder than you’ve ever worked and have the most fun you’ve ever had!
