L’ACCADEMIA DI GAETA - Gaeta Academy OUTLINE GAETA ARTISTIC PHILOSOPHY THE MUSICAL AND ARTISTIC HERITAGE OF ITALY THE ADVANTAGES OF GAETA THE DIDACTIC AND ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANISATION OF THE ACADEMY THE ACADEMY AND THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF GAETA THE ENDOWMENT FUND THE FUTURE SPONSORS THE FOUNDER: MICHAEL SUMMERS OUTLINE In December 2006 I formed the Cultural Association “Gaeta Academy” - an Institute for Orchestral Studies which will study and perform the orchestral repertoire from the 18th century till the present day. The Academy will consist of 100 young musicians from all over the world, chosen by rigorous auditions, who will receive a scholarship to study in Gaeta for 1 academic year. In return for the experience of living and studying in Italy they will form the Gaeta Symphony Orchestra and give concerts for the benefit of the people of Gaeta and other cities in Italy. Through concerts, tours and recordings they will bring lustre to Italy and the city of Gaeta. Their skill and musicianship will bring credit to their countries of origin. The model for the Academy is the New World Symphony Orchestra based in Miami, Florida. It shares the same values of giving excellent young orchestral musicians the opportunity to study and perform the symphonic repertoire at the highest levels with top instrumentalists from the best American orchestras. The Gaeta Academy has the added benefits of including a much higher percentage of foreigners (especially from the USA and Asia and elsewhere) who feel the need to deepen their artistic and cultural horizons in Italy. << back GAETA  Gaeta is an exceptionally beautiful, unique city of 25,000 inhabitants on the coast halfway between Rome and Naples. The city and its gulf are rich in history and are mentioned by authors such as Homer, Virgil and Dante. Gaeta and its imposing castles have served as a refuge for kings and popes during the centuries. Gaeta is also the birthplace of Giovanni Caboto (known as John Cabot) who discovered Canada. Thus it is appropriate that the city which contributed to the discovery of the New World should participate in the discovery and promotion of the cultural and artistic values of the West by enthusiastic young musicians. << back ARTISTIC PHILOSOPHY The objective of the GAETA ACADEMY is to create the conditions for young orchestral musicians from all over the world to study and perform the masterpieces of the symphonic repertoire. The unique system of music notation invented in Europe has given rise to a common musical language that has created those art works which constitute one of the timeless monuments of Western culture - the envy even of those countries which actually possess cultures and artistic traditions older than those of Europe. Young musicians from all over the world, especially those countries in which classical European music is highly appreciated (China, Japan, Korea) but which is not an intrinsic part of their culture, and from those with a European- influenced culture (USA, Latin America, Australia and other commonwealth countries ) feel an urgent need to forge direct links with European countries and institutions that gave rise to this monument of Western culture as a necessary part of their musical and cultural growth. << back THE MUSICAL AND ARTISTIC HERITAGE OF ITALY The artistic and architectural heritage of Italy is acknowledged as one of the greatest in the world. Moreover, Italy was for several centuries the most important musical country of Europe. Some of the most important musical forms such as the symphony, the concerto and the sonata brought to perfection by composers such as Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven, have their origins in Italy (to say nothing of that uniquely Italian form – the opera). Italian is still the international language of music. Very few artists, though, have the genius to create independently of a continuous artistic tradition. Certainly there is no figure in the history of Western music that has not accepted or reacted against a tradition which traces its roots to ancient Greece. Thus a study period (however limited) is essential for all those who love art and music and who wish to study and understand these aspects of Western civilisation. I speak from personal experience when I state that my studies and work in Italy over the last 20 years have been fundamental to my musical, artistic and cultural development. The GAETA ACADEMY will provide the structure for students to study and appreciate the contributions made by European countries to the world of culture. Despite different cultural and social backgrounds, despite different languages and political systems, these young artists will leave Italy after one year enriched by a profound knowledge of the symphonic repertoire, a wide appreciation of the role that Italy has played in the culture of the world, an increased tolerance of different cultures and lifestyles - and new and lasting international friendships and professional contacts. My goal is that they will leave with satisfaction at having learned much and of having given more to others through their music-making.  Reverence for and the re-creation of the symphonic repertoire of the past do not imply a prejudice against contemporary symphonic composition. All great music was (and is!) contemporary, and it is within such a living tradition that the GAETA ACADEMY places itself. Thus, the GAETA ACADEMY will support a Composer-in-residence who will write music specifically for the Orchestra of the Academy – a substantial innovation for Gaeta and Italy. The GAETA ACADEMY is aware that the artist enjoys a privileged place in society and, therefore, wishes its students to give of their talents to the young and the less fortunate. To that end, concerts will be given in schools, hospitals, prisons and the orchestra will participate in fund-raising efforts that help those in need. A more valuable enterprise to support would be difficult to imagine. << back THE ADVANTAGES OF GAETA The advantages for creating the Academy here are the following: • Gaeta is perfectly situated about halfway between Rome and Naples with excellent road and rail links to both cities. Therefore there are numerous possibilities of visiting the many historic monuments and participating in the diverse cultural events that these great cities offer. • The cost of living for students is much lower in Gaeta than in Rome or Naples. • The exceptional beauty and tranquillity of the surroundings is conducive to productive study and artistic inspiration. For example, Gaeta is home to the great American contemporary artist Cy Twombly who was enchanted by its beauty over 40 years ago and decided to make his home here. • The small-city ambience of Gaeta will be conducive to promoting a strong sense of unity and community among the students. It is also much easier to integrate and to interact on a personal and intimate basis with the local population than in a big anonymous city. • This environment will create a more profound understanding of Italian life and culture. Further, it will create strong bridges of friendship and understanding between Italy and the students. • The concerts to be offered to the local schools will be the only opportunity for the young to hear a live orchestra in this area. • The GAETA ACADEMY, by contributing a series of symphonic and chamber music concerts, can fill a cultural gap that should not exist in a city with such a rich artistic, architectural and historical tradition. << back THE DIDACTIC AND ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANISATION OF THE ACADEMY The winners of the auditions will receive a scholarship of €1,000 per month for 10 months. The first month will consist of an intensive course of Italian followed by 8 months of intense study and concert activity. The 10th month will consist of tours and appearances at various festivals: at the time of writing I have received a verbal invitation for the orchestra to appear at the Spoleto Festival. The scholarship will cover board and lodging and other essential expenses. The roundtrip airfare will be paid by the Academy. The schedule will be planned to allow time for the students to deepen their studies of Italian culture by trips to Rome and Naples (both about an hour from Gaeta by train), and further afield to Florence, Venice, Milan etc. when possible. Concerts in these and other cities will be organised as part of a tour of the Orchestra to promote the Academy in Italy and overseas. This will give the young musicians the possibility of seeing the cities and countries which gave rise to Western civilisation. The teachers will be professionals who play in the best Italian and foreign orchestras. They will come to Gaeta for periods ranging from 1to 4 weeks, depending on their professional commitments. They will not only teach  but also perform the programmed repertoire alongside the students. To this end I have obtained the verbal agreement of various musicians from Vienna, Berlin and London and from the orchestras of La Scala in Milan and the Academy of Santa Cecilia in Rome. The Academy has been awarded the patronage of the city of Gaeta and the Province of Latina . I am undertaking negotiations to obtain official recognition of the Academy from the Italian Ministry for the University. << back THE ACADEMY AND THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF GAETA An educational institution does not contribute solely to the cultural life of the city: in fact, by its excellence it creates civic pride, especially by spreading its fame and visibility through national and international tours, recordings and TV appearances. The GAETA ACADEMY will make a concrete contribution to the economy of the city It will be based in Gaeta and will employ a number of local people. Most of the annual budget of approximately €3 million will be spent in Gaeta in the form of salaries and the scholarship money of the students (which will be principally spent on board and lodging). Likewise, the expenditure for publicity, concerts, programmes etc. will also contribute to the economy of Gaeta. The high quality of the concerts will attract not only the local population but also music lovers from other parts of Italy and beyond. This will result in a corresponding increase in spending in Gaeta, especially in the low season. The mayors of Rome and Naples have publicly expressed the need for the economic and social development of the area between these 2 cities. The GAETA ACADEMY will fulfil the cultural aspirations of the region. It will bring further investment to the area and it will show that an artistic initiative can be the forerunner of economic and social development. I am aware that the temporary disadvantage of Gaeta is a lack of modern facilities in which to study and perform. However, the presence of young motivated musicians and the excellence of their contributions will act as a spur to the local and national authorities to renovate, repair and maintain the magnificent architectural treasures of Gaeta. These can also serve as facilities for artistic events (not only for the performing arts but also for exhibitions of the visual, plastic and other arts) and thus be restored to public use. Indeed, an article of the Statutes invites the Academy to collect funds for the restoration and repair of historic buildings. My conviction that the GAETA ACADEMY can be a ‘profitable’ venture in all senses comes from my collaboration with the Spoleto Festival where I worked as a pianist and conductor and, later, also as Music Consultant and assistant Artistic Director. The founder, Gian Carlo Menotti, was convinced that the artist could contribute in an important way (also economically) to the community. He proved this when he created the Festival. Spoleto was a small, sleepy town in Umbria, but due to his enthusiasm and talent the Spoleto Festival has become world famous. Apart from the civic pride that the citizens feel in their Festival the economic benefits that have arisen in Spoleto have been enormous: about € 35 million is generated annually by this event, both directly and indirectly. The Festival has encouraged the creation of new hotels, restaurants and other activities not directly related to it. Menotti duplicated this success in Charleston, South Carolina when he created the Festival of Two Worlds, twinning it with Spoleto. Here, too, he was responsible for the building of new hotels and as a result the city constructed a modern complex which houses a theatre. It is also used as a congress centre for the remaining months of the year (the Festivals in Spoleto and Charleston last about two weeks). Thus an artist can make not only a valid contribution to the cultural life of his community but also play a positive role in its economic development. << back THE ENDOWMENT FUND Endowment funds are not used as much in Italy as they are in the USA and elsewhere. As the GAETA ACADEMY is a private organisation, an endowment is essential to its long-term survival and growth and will keep it independent of financial uncertainty and any external influence. << back THE FUTURE The GAETA ACADEMY plans to expand its artistic horizons and its collaboration with artists to include exhibitions of painters, sculptors, dancers, filmmakers, etc. in order to make of Gaeta a bridge that will promote cultural cooperation and understanding between Italy and other countries. Like the outreach activities of the Orchestra of the GAETA ACADEMY, exhibitions of painters, sculptors and other artists can also be organised in other cities to promote young international artists. They will be encouraged and commissioned to create artworks in Gaeta. In time the city will build up its own collection of contemporary art, which will attract visitors from all over the world. << back SPONSORS Sponsors will be contributing to a project that aims primarily at training and educating young musicians in the country which has contributed greatly to Western art and civilisation. It is a project that in its universality will contribute to international friendship and cooperation. The performances of these young musicians for the local and nearby communities will fulfil a cultural gap and satisfy a necessary artistic need. Sponsor, through their donations they will also be giving a lasting and visible contribution through the renovation of historic buildings which at present are dilapidated. It is my desire to raise funds to restore some of these buildings not only for the use of the Academy as teaching spaces but also for the general enhancements of Gaeta, both in a dilapidated state and which could be restored to the benefit of the Academy and of the city. I am particularly interested in the following buildings: • The ancient Monastery of San Domenico where the monks’ cells would be ideal for individual teaching and practise rooms. • The Cialdini barracks which could eventually house the students as a dormitory and provide a source of income by renting the rooms to tourists in the holiday months. and Once renovated, as I have mentioned before, they will house artistic events and thus be restored to the public. • The Officer’s Club in the very centre of Medieval Gaeta which is closed to the public and could host concerts and art exhibitions. These buildings are the property of the State and I have made an official request to have the necessary permission to restore and use these historic buildings for the use of the Academy. I hope that the State will concede these properties on a long-term basis so that sponsors will be attracted to invest in their restoration and be able to achieve  visible and permanent recognition for their gifts. There are other historic churches in Gaeta (Santa Lucia, L’Annunziata, La Sorresca and San Giovanni a mare) which are in need of restoration and which can serve as concert halls and exhibition centres. The GAETA ACADEMY can repay sponsors by organising concerts for their clients, making recordings and displaying their logos on programmes, posters etc. << back PRESIDENTE: Michael Summers