For several years, I have been interested in finding out more about the master’s programme in Wind Orchestra Conducting and Orchestration for Wind Orchestra at the Claudio Monteverdi Conservatory in Bolzano and experiencing first-hand its approaches, philosophy, and study programmes.

From February 9 to 11, 2023, I finally had the opportunity to visit my colleague and wind-orchestra mentor Thomas Ludescher and his class there. One strongly senses the great importance given to concert wind music in South Tyrol, and the quality of playing is very high as well, both on the amateur and the professional level.

Due to the steadily rising playing level of amateur musicians, the demand for professional directors is growing as well, a demand in South Tyrol and beyond that is met by this course of studies. Since 2011, the conservatory in Bolzano has offered a bachelor’s degree in Wind Orchestra Conducting and Orchestration for Wind Orchestra and since 2020 a master’s degree as well.

Since my primary instrument in my performance studies at the mdw was actually double bass, and because—due to my experience conducting various orchestras (including the Sinfonisches Jugendblasorchester Wien, Jugendsinfonieorchester Wien, Junge Bläserphilharmonie Niederösterreich, and the TU Orchester Wien)—I have also taught wind orchestra conducting at the mdw since 2016, the goal of my lecture and workshop in Bolzano was to show how to take works originally composed for string and symphony orchestra and arrange them for wind orchestra in a way that results in a professional sound. Playing for the students on the double bass, I demonstrated various articulations and playing techniques and then presented audio examples performed by the mdw wind orchestra. It is very fascinating to see how string sounds can be imitated by wind and percussion instruments! There are, of course, passages that don’t work, but on the other hand, there are also completely different tonal colours produced by a large wind-percussion ensemble that are not found in a symphony orchestra.

My teaching activities in the future will certainly be greatly enriched through my experience in Bolzano: I not only established new contacts but also learned fresh approaches to a variety of curriculum components.

The conservatory in Bolzano is very small compared with the mdw. Here, everyone really knows everyone else, which results in a very lovely atmosphere. The formalities and organisation of my visit there were seen to very quickly and efficiently, and I look forward to participating in similar projects in the future.

The dialect in South Tyrol has a beautiful sound, and the food is a tremendous fusion of Italian and Austria cuisine. It was also quite interesting to learn more about the dramatic history of this region, which I—as an Austrian-Czech “border resident”—find very moving.

Finally, I must say that I am very happy to have the EU as a unifying institution in Europe today and can heartily recommend a stay in Bolzano to anyone!