Founded in 2013 by pianist and artistic director Paolo Baglieri, the Talent Music Master Courses Academy has welcomed over 10000 students from around the world. The Academy is housed in the cloister of the Church of San Giovanni Evangelista, one of the oldest and most evocative places in Brescia, dating back to the 4th century and rebuilt between 1440 and 1447. The cloister, with its double loggia and elegant columns, offers an atmosphere of serenity and inspiration, an ideal setting for musical study and performance.
The Academy's Offerings
The Academy offers a broad and well-structured educational program: university-level courses in collaboration with Kalaidos Fachhochschule Zurich and the New Bulgarian University, masterclasses with internationally renowned professors, concert activities, and collaborations with leading European institutions. The Master Orchestra, conducted by Sergio Baietta, accompanies many performances, providing students with high-level artistic experiences.
The Talent Master Concerts season, now in its 10th edition, runs from October to June and features young musicians already awarded prestigious prizes such as the Warsaw Chopin Prize. In the summer, from July to September, the Talent Music Summer Courses & Festival offers both advanced training and performance opportunities, with over 200 teachers, 100 concerts, and more than 1000 students from around the globe.
The Academy is also home to the SPES recording label, which provides students access to professional recording and the creation of valuable promotional tools.
Competitions
Alongside training and concerts, two major competitions stand out:
'Franco Margola' International Music Competition
This competition is dedicated to Italian teacher and composer Franco Margola, a tireless musician whose catalogue of over 800 works ranges from symphonic to chamber music. Open to musicians of all ages and nationalities, the competition includes categories for soloists (strings, guitar, winds, piano, harp, percussion, voice) and chamber ensembles. Participants are evaluated by an international jury and perform in a final concert. Special prizes, including the 'Franco Margola Prize', are awarded to top performers. More info: francomargolacompetition.it.
'Laszlo Spezzaferri' International Music Prize
Established in memory of Laszlo Spezzaferri, cellist, composer, and a key figure in Italian music education, the competition is held annually at Verona’s historic Palazzo della Gran Guardia under the artistic direction of pianist Ilaria Loatelli. The award is closely connected to schools, involving middle and high school students (both music-track and non-specialized), and features categories for soloists and chamber groups. Divided into age groups, participants are judged by an international jury and the event concludes with a gala concert by the winners. Info: spezzaferrimusicprize.it.
Social Commitment
The Academy is also committed to social impact: in 2024 alone, it awarded € 8800 in scholarships and remains strongly engaged with the local community through outreach projects, particularly in underserved areas. This is a concrete way of bringing young people and families closer to classical music, promoting cultural growth, inclusion, and musical education.
The complete program and all activities of the Talent Music Master Courses Academy in Brescia are available at: talentmusicmasters.it.
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