Philadelphia International Music Festival - Vanoli Cremona
August 3 - August 13, 2026 | Cremona, Italy
Violin Faculty: Kimberly Fisher, Principal Second Violin, The Philadelphia Orchestra
Cello Faculty: John Koen, Cello, The Philadelphia Orchestra
Piano Faculty: Mark Livshits, Faculty Pianist, Curtis Institute of Music
The Philadelphia International Music Festival – Italy (August 3 – August 13, 2026) is designed for pianists and string musicians 13-20 years of age preparing for upcoming solo performances and competitions. This exciting new program will include: three private lessons (four lessons for pianists), daily 30-minute workout sessions with an assigned faculty accompanist (string musicians only), daily daily duet classes (pianists only), daily hour-long solo performance classes, five hours of required daily private practice, and a week-ending Grand Finale Recital in one of the stunning performance halls in Cremona.
Students and families will both reside in Cremona, Italy, enjoying authentic Italian-style meals throughout the week-long program. While students are in training, guests attending the “Family & Friends” program will tour the surrounding towns via Luxury Motorcoach. Destinations include Venice, Milan, Verona, Lake Garda, Bologna and Parma! Students will join the traveling adventures at the conclusion of the Grand Finale performance.
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Tour of Historic Northern Italian Cities:
Lake Garda
Modena
Milan
Venice
Verona
Bologna
Highlights
Session Dates
Accomodations
11-Day Schedule
Audition Information
Fees & Payment Options
FAQ
Highlights
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Three private lessons with members of our world-class faculty, including members of The Philadelphia Orchestra (four lessons for pianists)
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Daily thirty-minute workouts with assigned faculty accompanist (string musicians only)
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Daily hour-long solo performance classes
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Four-five hours of required daily private practice
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Week-ending Grand Finale Recital in one of Cremona’s stunning performance halls
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Four-day tour of historic cities in stunning Northern Italy
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Exciting family & friends tour (see 11-Day Schedule tab for additional information)
Session Dates
August 3 – August 13, 2026 (11-Day Trip)
Accomodations
Both Festival participants and those accompanying on the PIMF “Family & Friends Tour” will be residing at the Iconic Hotel Continental close the heart of historic downtown Cremona.
11-Day Schedule
Family & Friends:
- Day 1: Travel from Philadelphia to Northern Italy
- Day 2: Tour Milan, Italy – Fashion capital of the world and home to the famed Milan Cathedral
- Day 3: Tour the Beautiful Medieval City of Verona, Italy – The setting for Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” and home to one of the world’s most well-preserved Roman amphitheaters
- Days 4 – 5: Two-day stay at the stunning L’Albereta Spa and Winery
- Day 6: Visit Bologna, Italy – Home to the famed Piazza Maggiore
- Day 7: Visit Parma, Italy – Including a Tour of the historic Teatro Regio Opera House
- Day 8: Festival Grand Finale Concerts in Cremona, Italy
- Day 9: Visit Lake Garda – Popular European vacation destination in Northern Italy and home to the ancient Castello Scaligero di Sirmione fortress
- Day 10: Visit Venice, Italy – The City of Canals
- Day 11: Travel from Northern Italy to Philadelphia
Festival Participants:
- Day 1: Travel from Philadelphia to Northern Italy
- Day 2: Tour Milan, Italy – Fashion capital of the world and home to the famed Milan Cathedral
- Day 3: Tour the beautiful Medieval city of Verona, Italy – The setting for Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” and home to one of the world’s most well-preserved Roman amphitheaters
- Days 4 – 8: PIMF Vanoli Cremona Music Festival with members of The Philadelphia Orchestra in Cremona, Italy – “The City of Violins”
- Day 9: Visit Lake Garda – Popular European vacation destination and home to the ancient Castello Scaligero di Sirmione fortress
- Day 10: Visit Venice, Italy – The City of Canals
- Day 11: Travel from Northern Italy to Philadelphia
Audition Information
Entrance into this program is by audition only. There is no audition required for the family & friends tour. All are welcome to attend.
Audition Requirements:
Audition Requirements:
- 5-10 minutes of current, well-prepared solo repertoire.
- Performances may be accompanied or unaccompanied.
- Audition recordings should include at least two contrasting pieces.
- Please include scales appropriate to your instrument.
- Click here to begin the audition process today.
- PIMF Alumni may bypass the audition process and register online at any time.
Fees & Payment Options
Fees and Payment Options:
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Students: $6100
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Family & Friends: $5100
Note: Fees above do not include travel to/from Italy. Participants may choose to fly with group departing Philadelphia on August 3rd, or to fly separately, meeting in Cremona. Both programs include two meals daily, August 4 – August 12.
FAQ
When is the audition deadline for PIMF Italy?
Acceptance is on a rolling basis and spaces are limited. Early auditioning is highly recommended.
Is there required audition repertoire for PIMF Italy?
Please go to the audition information tab above for additional information.
How do I submit my audition materials?
PIMF uses the online portal Acceptd for all auditions. For detailed, easy-to-follow instructions, click here and choose “How to Upload Your Audition File” at the bottom of the page.
How will I know if the Program is full?
Once the program is filled to capacity, a note will be added to the page on our website. If you do not see “Filled to Capacity” at the top of the program page, we are still accepting auditions.
What if I need technical help with submitting my online audition materials?
Please feel free to contact our Operations Director at jacob.heil@pimf.org, or contact Acceptd support directly.
Is transportation included in the “Fees & Payment Options”?
No. Detailed flight information will be sent under separate cover upon registration. Group flights will be leaving from Philadelphia on Monday, August 3rd. Participants may choose to fly on their own, meeting up in Milan, Italy on Tuesday, August 4th.
Are meals included in the “Fees & Payment Options”?
Yes! Fees include two meals daily from August 4 – August 12.
Can Family and Friends attend PIMF Italy?
Yes, and they should! We have set up a fabulous tour schedule for family members and friends who want to come with PIMF to Italy in 2026! Please see the “11-Day Schedule” tab above for details.
How do I register?
Festival participants will be given direction on how to register in their official Acceptance Letter, sent within 14 days of receipt of audition materials. Family and Friends participants may register at any time here.