From idea to sound: improvisation and arrangement, masterclass with Francesca Tandoi

Friday, May 22, 2026, masterclass with Francesca Tandoi at Saint Louis in Rome, an in-depth course for musicians who want to develop their own voice.

The masterclass From Idea to Sound is designed for musicians of any instrument with a solid background and driven by the desire to develop their musical language with greater awareness. The program addresses two of the most central areas in the advanced training of the contemporary musician: improvisation and arrangement.

A workshop focusing on piano trio and small ensembles

The training focuses on piano trios and small ensembles, musical contexts that require deep listening, dialogue between the parts and a precise understanding of group dynamics. Starting with pieces chosen directly by the participants, the collective work explores new expressive possibilities, analyzing the musical material to bring out new ideas, variations and directions.

This approach allows each participant to engage with his or her music in a direct way, receiving targeted guidance and developing tools that can be applied right away to his or her artistic practice.

Reharmonization, arrangement and musical identity

Central to the program is the study of reharmonization techniques and strategies for building effective arrangements. Participants will address the problem of how to transform a piece in a personal way: maintaining its structural identity, but developing an original voice that can stand out.

Working on these issues means learning to read music as an open system, in which every harmonic, melodic or timbral choice becomes a conscious expressive opportunity.

The masterclass is a shared work space, where the discussion between the participants and Francesca Tandoi fuels the creative process. Each participant has the opportunity to bring his or her own musical material, receive analytical feedback and refine his or her compositional and improvisational approach in a creative and stimulating environment.

Lecturer Francesca Tandoi

Pianist, singer, composer and band leader, Francesca Tandoi trained at the Royal Conservatory of The Hague and Codarts Conservatory in Rotterdam before embarking on a high-profile international career. Acclaimed by critics and audiences worldwide, she already has seven albums to her credit as leader of her trio and has given master classes on the art of piano trio arrangement at Washington University in St. Louis, as part of the Moscow Clinics of Jazz, and at the Music University in Pretoria.

In September 2025, she was one of six special guests at the international jazz art residency European Jazz’s Cool conceived by Saint Louis.

Participation fees: € 25 St. Louis students; € 35 alumni and externs

Training credits for academic courses.: 0.5 CFA

The Masterclass is open by reservation (subject to availability) to students, Saint Louis alumni and outsiders.