Here is a detailed presentation of the Nino Rota“ Conservatory of Music” (the Monopoli Conservatory)
1. History and Location
Origins and Development
The “Nino Rota” Conservatory of Monopoli is an Institute of Higher Music Education (equal to university level in the Italian AFAM system). It was founded on 1 October 1971 as a detached section of the “Niccolò Piccinni” Conservatory of Bari, then directed by composer Nino Rota with the contribution and support of Senator Luigi Russo.
In 1990, the institute moved from its first location in the historic centre of Monopoli (Palazzo Martinelli) to its current location in the former Monastery of the Friars Minor in Piazza S. Antonio, a historic 18th-century structure that houses classrooms, a large organ and a charming cloister used for concerts and events.
In 2000, it obtained full institutional autonomy as an independent conservatory and was officially named after Nino Rota in 2004.
Headquarters and facilities
Main location: Piazza S. Antonio, 27 - 70043 Monopoli (BA), Italy.
Teaching and performance spaces: old cells converted into classrooms, organ hall, cloister for events, and Radar Theatre with concert and recording spaces.
2. Types of Courses and Training Paths
General training offer
The conservatory offers a comprehensive teaching programme that includes:
- Level I and II academic courses (equivalent to three-year and two-year specialist degrees in the AFAM system).
- Single courses and propaedeutic courses for instrumental and vocal preparation.
- Workshops and masterclasses, continuing and recurrent training courses.
Specific paths
Courses include, among others:
- Academic Diploma Level I (three-year degree) and Level II (two-year specialised degree).
- Courses in music education (with pedagogical approach, vocal and theatre techniques).
- Applied music courses integrating music technology and artistic applications.
3. Departments and Types of Learning
The teaching organisation is structured in departments that group schools and subject areas:
- Singing and Musical Theatre
- New Technologies and Musical Languages
- Wind instruments
- Keyboard and percussion instruments
- String and string instruments
- Theory, Analysis, Composition and Direction
- Music education
- Ensemble disciplines (chamber music and orchestra)
- Types of learning
The routes include:
- Theoretical and historical study (analysis, harmony, history of music).
- Individual instrumental practice and solo singing.
- Ensemble music, jazz, pop/rock, music technology.
- Music didactics and pedagogy.
4. Tools and Areas of Study
Classical and Traditional Instruments and Courses for instrumentalists and singers, including:
- Strings: Violin, Viola, Cello, Contrabass, Harp, Lute, Mandolin.
- Wind instruments: Clarinet, Bassoon, Flute, Oboe, Trumpet, Trombone, Saxophone, Tuba/Bass.
- Keyboards and Percussion: Piano, Organ, Harpsichord, Percussion.
- Singing and Vocal Music
- Classical singing and vocal chamber music.
- Jazz and Pop-Rock singing within the New Musical Languages.
5. Teachers and Subjects Taught
The teaching staff is made up of specialists in the various instruments and disciplines, namely some of the main lecturers and what they teach:
Singing and Vocal
- Carmela Apollonio - Classical singing.
- Rosanna Maria Casucci - Vocal technique.
- Massimiliano Chiarolla - Opera singing.
- Maria Pia Piscitelli - Vocal technique and performance.
- Cinzia Eramo, Serena Fortebraccio - Jazz singing.
- Giuseppe Delre, Raffaella Misiti - Pop-Rock Singing.
Tools
- Paola Devoti - Harp.
- Onofrio Della Rosa, Giovanna Iaffaldano, Raffaella Migailo - Piano/Accompaniment.
- Vito Giampaolo, Cosimo Leuzzi, Vito Liuzi - Clarinet.
- Marco Misciagna - Viola.
- Francesco Parente, Gaetano Simone - Cello.
- Fabrizio Bosi, Alessandro Malagnino - Saxophone.
Theory, Composition and Technology
- Paolo Fradiani, Massimo De Lillo - Composition.
- Emanuele Raganato - History of Jazz.
- Rocco De Cia, Carlo Elia Praderio - Theory and Analysis.
Key Learning Points and Opportunities
Higher education recognised at university level in Italy (AFAM).
Programmes combining classical tradition and modern languages (jazz, pop, new technologies).
International mobility through Erasmus+ contracts.
Broad aesthetic offerings, from historical music to contemporary disciplines.
Contact and Location
Address:
Nino Rota“ Conservatory of Music”
Piazza S. Antonio, 27 - 70043 Monopoli (BA), Italy Conservatory of Monopoli
Telephone:
Telephone switchboard / Secretariat: +39 080 9303607
Further useful numbers: +39 080 4170791 Conservatory of Monopoli
Main emails:
rota@conservatoriodimonopoli.org (regular mail)
conservatoriorota-monopoli@pec.it (institutional PEC)
presidenza@conservatoriodimonopoli.org (chair)
direttore@conservatoriodimonopoli.org (director) Conservatory of Monopoli
Opening hours (indicative):
Monday - Friday: 08:00-19:00
Saturday: 08:00-14:00 Monopoli Conservatory
Registration and Admission Procedure
In order to gain access to the academic courses (first and second level) it is compulsory to pass an admission test; the procedure is completely online via the ISIDATA platform, according to the notices published annually by the Conservatoire. All examination programmes for admission are published in the section Didactics > Educational Offer of the official website.
There is an administrative fee for taking part in the admission test.
Those with DSA or disabilities must specify this in the online procedure and attach the required documentation.
For more details visit the official website: https://conservatoriodimonopoli.org/