Interview with Saint Louis alumna Margherita Silvestrini

When and how did your awareness of wanting to make music come about?

I knew from an early age that music would be a fundamental part of my life. My father was a musician, and it was mainly he who transmitted this passion to me. After my high school years, I decided that would be my path. During that time, I began to tread the first small stages with my band and felt the need to hone my vocal skills. That’s how I decided to take private lessons with Giuseppe Di Bianca, also a former Saint Louis student, who picked up on my determination and encouraged me to pursue music studies. He was the one who accompanied me to inquire about enrollment at Saint Louis!

Tell us about your experience at Saint Louis: what did you study and what were the encounters that made a difference?

I enrolled at Saint Louis in 2014, choosing the Pop Singing major. This path turned out to be fundamental not only for my training, but also because it was the place where I met teachers who helped me understand my potential in songwriting, such as Gianluca Podio, Roberto Giglio and Serena Brancale. In addition, during my fourth year, I joined the vocal orchestra Flowing Chords, a formation of which I am still a part and thanks to which I had the opportunity to live many experiences alongside important personalities of the music scene.

How did your career path in music begin?

It was a very natural path from writing songs in my bedroom to recording studios to playing my songs on stages. My experience as a member of Flowing Chords has also been an exciting journey-it is amazing to think that after so much effort and hours of rehearsal, we had the opportunity to collaborate with great artists such as Diodato, Achille Lauro, Margherita Vicario, and Benjamin Clementine. Another memorable experience was in November 2023, when we sang atAlcatraz in Milan together with Nanowar of Steel.

Music contests: why are they important and what have they meant to you?

Music contests are, in my opinion, an excellent opportunity for personal growth and artistic visibility. These competitions provide opportunities to perform outside of one’s hometown, fostering encounters with new artists and networking and perhaps the creation of new collaborations. My most recent experience was with Music For Change, a contest that differs from others in its focus on social issues. After passing the first selections, contestants are asked to compose pieces on specific topics; for example, I was assigned the theme “environment and ecology.” It was an extraordinary experience, which allowed me to discover my ability to write on commission and gave me the opportunity to perform at the Rendano Theater in Cosenza in front of an audience of 800 people.

By what criteria do you select contests to enter and which ones would you recommend to young musicians who are reading you?

Usually, to choose contests I find out if other colleagues have also participated and ask them for their opinion. To the young musicians who are reading this, I strongly recommend that they consider the competitions organized by MEI, as they show special attention to artists by requiring borderos to be filled out and providing reimbursement. This approach shows a sincere respect for the work done by participants.

You have already won several awards, can you tell us more about that?

In the summer of 2022, I made it to the finals of the Bruno Lauzi Award in Anacapri and won the award for “Best Music” with my song “Non Sai,” contained in my first album released in June 2024. While on the other hand, this year, for the above-mentioned Music For Change competition, I won no less than 3 prizes: an ACEP/UNEMIA scholarship for the purchase of musical services; a scholarship for Mogol’s CET; and the State Police prize that allowed me to perform at Club Tenco and Casa Sanremo 2025.

Can you tell us the story of “Permette Signorina”?

My first contest was the Lunatika Contest, which I won. I had the honor of setting to music Giuditta Maselli’s poem, which later became the theme song for the new editions of the contest, renamed“Permette Signorina” after the title of the song itself.

One piece of advice you would give to people who are just getting into the music business?

I recommend being curious, not to be limited to one perspective but to be able to explore and learn more things. In the world of music, I believe it is essential to have a 360-degree view, including both artistic and professional and business aspects.

Who is your favorite musician and why?

Without any doubt, I would say Stevie Wonder. There is a deep emotional bond between me and his music, as my father listened to him incessantly when I was a child. To me, Stevie Wonder represents the ultimate musician: an extraordinary multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter.

What is your favorite song that you would take to Noah’s Ark?

This is the most difficult question; I could change my answer every day. And after expressing all my love for Stevie Wonder, I say “Let Down” by Radiohead.