Chamber Music

Admission requirements

The three-year course is open to musicians of any nationality who are no more than 30 years of age.

Candidates must possess a 1^st or 2^nd Level Degree or Conservatory Diploma (old Italian system) in Vocal Studies. Qualifications obtained abroad shall be considered valid only where formally recognised as equivalent to an Italian Conservatory Diploma. The responsibility for obtaining such recognition, in accordance with applicable Italian legislation, shall rest with the candidate. Candidates should be fluent in the Italian language.

Exceptions to these requirements may be permitted only in extraordinary cases, subject to evaluation and approval by both the professor and the Academic Board, in the presence of outstanding artistic merit.

Admission shall be granted only upon fulfilment of the above requirements and successful completion of the entrance examination.

PLEASE TAKE NOTE

Please note that for the 2026-2027 Academic Year, the availability of places for individual enrolments, following the admission exam, may be as follows:

– piano: up to 2 place

– violin: up to 2 places

– viola: up to 2 place

– cello: up to 1 places

For pre-existing ensembles, up to 2 places may be available

Applications for admission

Applications for admission must be submitted online via the following link: https://santacecilia.it/en/master-courses/form-di-iscrizione-corsi-di-perfezionamento)

by no later than the 5 July 2026.

Submission of the application will be confirmed via email notification from the Accademia.

The following documents must be attached to the online application:

• diploma certificate
• artistic CV and list of studied repertoire;
• examination programme at the candidate’s choice;
• photocopy of passport or other identification document;
• proof of payment of the examination admission fee.

Individual enrolments: violin, viola, cello, and piano.

During the first year of attendance, students admitted on an individual basis will be guided, under the supervision of the teacher, towards participation in one or more ensembles. At the time of admission, candidates may indicate a preference to perform in an ensemble with other instrumentalists applying on an individual basis.

From the second year onwards, it will be possible to attend the course within a single ensemble (from trio to quintet) and to present oneself for the final examination with the programme предусмотрed for pre-formed ensembles. Alternatively, students may continue on an individual basis within multiple ensembles, as agreed with the teacher.

Enrolments of pre-established ensembles

To apply under this modality, ensembles must, at the time of application, have completed a specific course of study (such as chamber music courses or masterclasses) or have undertaken significant artistic activity . The documentation certifying previous activity should be attached to the application, which must in any case be submitted individually. Applications from ensembles with different instruments other than those required for the course may be accepted, in the presence of proven artistic qualities and at the total discretion of the Academic Board.

Entrance examination

Programme for individual enrolments:

1. performance of an important composition written for solo instrument, or alternatively a Concerto, at the candidate’s choice, to be performed from memory;
2. performance of a chamber composition from the duo upwards, at the candidate’s choice.

Programme for enrolments of pre-existing ensembles:

Performance of two major compositions written for own ensemble, at the candidates’ choice.

Mode

Entrance examinations will be held at the Academy’s headquarters at Via Vittoria 6 (Rome), in accordance with the number of applicants, on 24 or 25 or 26 September 2026. Candidates will receive an e-mail concerning date and schedule.

The candidates shall appear at the examination bearing a valid identification document, as well as the musical material for their examination programme.

For the performance of the chamber piece for individual enrolments, applicants shall appear at the examination with their own collaborators; the names of the collaborators must be communicated to the academic secretary (Segreteria didattica: didattica@santacecilia.it) in advance.

The Examination Panel may ask the candidates to perform all or part of the programme.

The pieces shall be prepared in full and the solo piece (for individual enrolments) should be preferably performed from memory.

The Panel may ask the candidates to describe the motivations and objectives connected to attending the course.

No alternative examination dates will be offered

The course runs over a period of three years.

The course includes:

• two intermediate progression examinations (Year I to II; Year II to III);
• a final Diploma examination at the conclusion of Year III.

In exceptional circumstances, and subject to approval by the Academic Board, the Diploma examination may be undertaken at the conclusion of Year II.

At the end of each year of attendance, students shall take an examination for promotion to the subsequent course year, with the programmes indicated below.

Progression from course year I to II

A chamber programme, to be played in one or more groups, that includes two pieces of different styles. The pieces shall be prepared in full. The Panel may request the performance of all or part of the submitted programme. More than one piece for the duo configuration cannot be submitted (this limit does not apply to pre-existing duos).

Progression from course year II to III

A chamber programme, different from the one submitted the previous year, to be played in one or more groups, that includes two pieces of different styles. The pieces shall be prepared in full. The Panel may request the performance of all or part of the submitted programme. More than one piece for duo cannot be submitted (this limit does not apply to pre-existing duos).

Should a student fail to pass a promotion examination, he/she shall be entitled to re-apply for admission to the course only after one academic year has passed.

Examination and attendance fees

• € 50.00 entrance examination;
• € 950.00 yearly attendance (In the case of simultaneous enrolment in the Chamber Music course, one of the two fees is reduced to €800.00);
• € 100.00 progression examination;
• € 250.00 diploma examination.

Students who have not paid their tuition and examination fees in full will not be admitted to lessons or examinations.

All payments, specifying as reason “Chamber Music Course,” may be made via:

• wire transfer
  c/c n. 9872, made out to Fondazione Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia
  Banca Nazionale del Lavoro (BNL) Agenzia n. 6340 di Roma, Via del Tritone, 31
  IBAN: IT31 I 010 0503 2400 0000 0009 872
  SWIFT: BIC BNL IITRR
• Paypal on Fondazione’s website at this link https://santacecilia.it/alta-formazione/paypal

Proof of payment of the attendance fee must be submitted to the Academic Office within 15 days of admission (Segreteria didattica: didattica@santacecilia.it). The attendance fee may be paid in two equal instalments, the second of which will be due no later than 1 March.

Withdrawal from the course shall not entitle the student to a refund of any fees paid.

Download regulations (pdf) – Chamber Music 2026-2027