The two fields of study
The Biennio Sperimentale is addressed to the students who already have a first-cycle (Bachelor’s) degree or diploma and wish to acquire specialist skills in the following two broad fields that are defined as “Interpretational-Compositional” and “Technological”. Though differentiated, the two fields share a number of courses. This ensures flexibility and more interdisciplinary opportunities.
- The Interpretational-Compositional field provides advanced training in musical interpretation and composition, imparting professional skills in solo performance, ensemble and orchestral playing, conducting (vocal/instrumental groups), the new musical languages and composition (also employing advanced techniques and languages).
- The Technological field aims to provide advanced skills in the musical professions linked to the new technologies, offering training in the processing of sound, multimediality and research into new musical languages.

The courses offered in the Interpretational-Compositional field
The Conservatory of Verona offers the following two-year Second-Cycle Degrees (referred to as Bienni sperimentali or more simply Bienni):
Composition; Wind-Band Composition; Singing, String instruments: Violin – Viola – Cello – Double Bass; Wind instruments: Clarinet – Flute – Oboe – Bassoon – Saxophone – Horn – Trumpet – Trombone – Tuba; Piano, Organ, Harp, Guitar, Percussion; Early Instruments: Singing – Violin and Viola – Cello – Viola da Gamba – Harpsichord – Lute – Harp – Flute – Oboe – Bassoon; Music technology

The structure of the courses
The subjects in each course are divided into:

1) common subjects (di base) 2) core subjects (caratterizzanti) 3) elective subjects (integrative e affini) 4) other activities (altre attività formative)
- History of Music Theatre
- History of Music
- Musical Semiography,
- History and Analysis of the Repertoire
- Analysis of Compositional Forms - Ensemble Music
- Performance and Repertoire
- Piano Accompaniment
- Performance Skills for Singers
- Techniques of Instrumentation
- Techniques of Composition
- Models of Analysis and the Digital Treatment of Sound (Technological field only)
- Electro-Acoustics and Electro-Acoustical Systems (Technological field only)
- Librarian Skills and Musical Bibliography - Orchestral Workshop
- Orchestra Repertoire
- Continuo Playing
- Improvisation Workshop
- Techniques of Communication
- Acoustics and Psycho-acoustics
- Programming for Music Technology (Technological field only) - Computer Skills for Musicians
- Language skills
- Seminars/Workshops/
Courses
total credits: 10-15 per year total credits: 25-35 per year total credits: 10-20 per year total credits: 5-15 per year

In the study plans for each subject the subjects marked as obligatory – all included among the common subjects (column 1) and core subjects (column 2) – make up 65% of the credits. The remaining 35% of the credits will be made up of the subjects chosen by the student from among those listed in columns 3 and 4.
Not all the subjects listed in the tables will necessarily be activated every year.
For the credits assigned to each subject, students must consult the study plans for each course in the Italian website: Second-Cycle Courses

The system of credits and assessment
The study plans are based on a system of credits (crediti) that applies the principles of the ECTS (European Credit Transfer System). It therefore adopts the convention that 60 credits measure the workload of a full-time student during one academic year. Each credit conventionally corresponds to 25 hours of work per student (inclusive of classes and private preparation). To obtain the final academic diploma students must have acquired 180 credits overall (60 for each year).
To acquire the necessary credits, students must not only pass the examinations (if required) for each course, but must also ensure sufficient attendance of lessons. Minimum attendance requirements are specified in each study plan.
Credits can also be awarded to activities carried out prior to the student’s enrolment. These will be quantified for each student by the Course Council (Consiglio di Corso). Conversely, the Course Council can also draw attention to any gaps (debiti, “debts”) in the student’s prior training that will need to be filled during his period of study at the conservatory. The Course Council will indicate how these “debts” must be paid off.

Admission
Foreign students wishing to apply for the postgraduate Biennio should contact the Conservatory, stating their previous academic qualifications. Certification will be subsequently required. If the qualifications are considered adequate, admission to the Biennio is dependent on passing an admission exam (esame d’ammissione) for the programme chosen. The times of the admission exams will be communicated at the time of application.