Violin making is truly a way of life, enriched by the creative aspects of artistic and artisanal work. This is why the students at the International Violin Making School typically have such high levels of motivation and interest that draw them from all over Italy and all over the world.
The coexistence of such diverse students creates a unique cosmopolitan climate within the school, rich with different cultural contributions but also with common interests, like a passion for violin making and music. The rich cultural heritage of the school continues to encourage an exchange of skills, knowledge, and life experiences. The unique presence of adult students also encourages the maturation of the teenage students.
The school welcomes both students at the high school level and students, Italian and foreign, who have already earned their high school diplomas. Precisely because of the diverse background of the students, the school has for some time offered personalized study plans for each individual; these involve the possibility of acquiring “credit” in subjects already studied and replacing them with extra hours of laboratory or professional disciplines or, for foreign students, Italian language courses.
Practical activity, apprenticeships and collaboration with external experts are the school’s central objectives for its students. Starting in the first year, functional labs are provided for all the students, allowing for high quality work in safe working conditions, limited to 10-12 students per laboratory. The school organizes special projects, enrichment courses and collaborative opportunities with outside professionals for the third, fourth and fifth year students. Immediately upon graduation, fifth year students are expected to complete a work-study program, interning in the workshops of professional violin makers and submitting a scholarly account of their work, their experience and their acquired or improved skills.
Currently there are 176 enrolled students at the school. From 1938 to today, 916 students have graduated, including 340 Italians, 314 non-Italian Europeans, and 262 non-Europeans.
