BINETTO GRUMO FESTIVAL Italy, July 2-7, 2012

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will I be able to find hospitality with a local family?
A: Thanks to the incredible support of the Binetto and Grumo communities, in 2009 we were able to accommodate all students and faculty with local families. In 2010, in spite of a 300% increase in the number of attendees, we were still able to accommodate most of the participants. Considering the success of the festival many more families offered their availability. In 2011 we were able to accommodate every single participant, even with a further attendance increase. Our hope is to offer every single participant free room and board. However, this opportunity cannot be guaranteed, as it does not depend on us but on the generosity of the Binetto and Grumo communities. Also, some families may offer last-minute availability. Consequently, we decided to offer room and board with families on a first-come first served basis. The earlier we receive an application with full tuition, the more chances to be boarded with a family.
 
Q: How much should I budget for food in case I would not be able to be hosted by a family?
A: Life in Southern Italy is quite inexpensive. You should plan to spend approximately €15-€20 per day or less, depending on your eating habits. In the past, hosting families have offered meals to all Bed and Breakfast guests.
 
Q: Where can I find local Bed and Breakfasts or Youth Hostels?
A: On the Information Link page of this website you will find some useful links, with further information regarding our experience.
 
Q: What Hotel would you recommend as an alternative solution to a Bed and Breakfast?
A: The Hotel Adria in Bari is very conveniently located, only  a two-minute walk from all railroad stations, and about ten from the oceanfront (lungomare).
 
Q: How much should I budget for a Bed and Breakfast nearby Grumo?
A: Approximately €20-€30 per day. In 2010, students sharing a room paid approximately €17 in Binetto, and approximately €30 in Bitetto. In 2011 we were able to accommodate al faculty and students with local families, tgherefore we have no data.
 
 
Q: Without a hosting family, how much should I budget for room and board for a full week?
A: In the past years the exchange rate has moved around 1.20-1.50: as of today it takes one dollar and 45 cents to buy one Euro. Expected room and board costs for the week of the festival should therefore be contained in about 200-300 Euros for a shared room, or $280-$425, at today's exchange rate.
 
Q: Are there restaurants in Grumo and Binetto?
A: Yes, several restaurants and pizzerias. We had a wonderful experience with the Pizzeria Monteverde, and the Braceria I Sapori della Murgia, both located in Grumo Appula. Additionally you may want to taste the special focaccia made by the local Milillo bakery, the aperitivi at the Galena coffee shop, the unique pastries made by Sisina, and the roasted sausages prepared by local butchers. A daily Farmer's Market provides fresh vegetables and fruit locally grown.
 
Q: How do I reach Grumo from Bari?
A: By train with both the Ferrovie dello Stato or the Ferrovie Appulo Lucane. The ride is approximately 25 minutes long. Tickets can be purchased directly at the railroad station.
 
Q: Will I need a car?
A: No, you will not necessarily need a car. Grumo and Binetto are very close to each other, about half a mile. It is possible to walk everywhere and between the two villages. The Centro Studi Musicale Zuccaro is close to the Ferrovie Appulo Lucane railroad station, which is also the most convenient railroad stop for Grumo downtown.
 
Q: What is the cost of tuition?
A: For 2012 we will keep tuition at a discounted rate of $399-$549 depending on the date it is received. Deadline is April 23. 2012. An application form which can be downloaded on the registration page of the Grumo Festival website: http://www.grumofestival.com/register/register.htm
D: Quali sono le restrizioni di età per chi si vuole iscrivere?
R: Non vi è nessuna restrizione di età. Tuttavia, nel caso di studenti minorenni bisogna che i genitori ci contattino prima di fare l'iscrizione, perche' il Grumo Festival non ha personale in grado di seguirli al di fuori delle lezioni. Inoltre, per esempio, gli studenti minorenni non possono salire sul palco dei concerti all'aperto di Grumo Appula senza permesso scritto dei propri genitori.
 
D: Chi ha diritto allo sconto sulla retta?
R: Gli studenti delle edizioni passate.
 
Q: Do I need a visa?
A: With a US passport you can travel to Italy for business or pleasure on a visa waiver, as long as your stay does not exceed 90 days. Detailed information are available on the Italian Embassy website.
 
Q: What is the best way to reach Grumo Appula by air?
A: The following destination airports are probably the best options for those traveling by air.
1) Bari, Italy (BRI) is connected both by domestic and international flights. The airport is located approximately twenty minutes by car from Grumo Appula and Binetto;

2) Rome Fiumicino (FCO) is probably the most important airport in Italy, and it is located approximately 250 miles (400 km) North-West of Bari. A local shuttle train connects the airport with the main railroad station in Rome, Roma Termini. From Roma Termini several trains depart with Bari as their final destination.

3) Milan (MXP) would be another viable option. From Milan a train ride to Bari may take about 10  hours;

D: Posso avere delle ulteriori informazioni in italiano riguardanti il Grumo Festival?
R: Ledizione del Grumo festival 2010 ha visto la partecipazione di docenti di musica provenienti da istituzioni italiane e straniere fra le quali: Pittsburg State University, Kansas; Grand Valley State University, Michigan; University of Louisville, Kentucky; University of Georgia, Georgia; Spelman College, Georgia; Francis Marion University, Carolina del Sud; Penn State University, Pennsylvania; e Conservatorio Niccolò Piccinni di Bari.
Ogni studente ha avuto la possibilità di seguire: le lezioni individuali tenute dal docente del proprio strumento; le lezioni collettive tenute una volta al giorno in forma di Studio Class; le presentazioni su argomenti di interesse musicale generale tenute dai vari docenti; seminari di teoria e composizione. Inoltre tutti gli studenti hanno avuto la possibilità di esibirsi al concerto finale degli studenti di sabato 10 luglio, e molti si sono esibiti anche durante i concerti tenuti durante la settimana.
 
Il costo del corso è risibile se proporzionato al livello dei docenti. Si noti che Il Grumo Festival non è in grado di assumersi la responsabilità degli studenti minorenni al di fuori dell’orario di lezione, pertanto si raccomanda la presenza dei genitori durante il festival, o una liberatoria da questi firmata con la quale si assumono la responsabilità per i propri figli.
 
Grazie alla partecipazione e generosità di famiglie locali il Grumo Festival nel 2010 ha ospitato più di venti persone gratuitamente. Molte di piu' nel 2011. Altre famiglie potrebbero aggiungersi prima dell’inizio del festival 2012. Dato l’alto numero di richieste, il Grumo Festival mantiene una lista d’attesa, la cui priorità verrà basata sull’ordine di iscrizione (con pagamento completo). In alternativa alloggio è disponibile presso Bed and Breakfast locali e Ostelli della Gioventù a costi decisamente bassi. I prezzi per luglio partono da meno di 20 Euro giornalieri per persona in una doppia. Una serie di link è disponibile alla pagina: Information Links. Si raccomanda di prenotare per tempo. Il Grumo Festival si sta anche adoperando per ottenere convenzioni per i propri partecipanti presso selezionati ristoranti e pizzerie.
 
Alla fine del corso tutti i partecipanti ricevono un diploma di partecipazione.
 
La domanda può essere scaricata alla pagina: Register.
Il pagamento della tassa di iscrizione e del corso deve essere effettuato tramite assegno intestato a: Grumo Festival, Inc. L'assegno puo' essere sia in dollari che in euro. Ulteriori dettagli sono inclusi nel modello di iscrizione.
 
Q: I am a student interested in your scholarship. What is the application process?
A: We make our best efforts in order to offer all students an opportunity to attend our wonderful artistic and human experience in Southern Italy, and we certainly look forward to welcoming you this summer! For example, as part of our constant efforts to create opportunities for musicians, some of our past students (and faculty) will join us in a series of two concerts in New York City in February 2012.
 
At Grumo Festival we strive to keep our tuition at the lowest possible level. At the same time students have the opportunity of receiving full room and board with local hosting families. Last summer (2011) forty-six among students, faculty, and a few guests joined the Grumo Festival. Happily, we were able to accommodate those who requested room and board with local hosting families for the entire week of activities: June 26-July 1. Lastly, thanks to the additional support of city administrations and local associations, we were able to schedule social gatherings, mostly lunches and dinners before or after the various concerts. In short we make our best efforts to give all student a real opportunity to enjoy a Southern Italian experience in music at the lowest possible cost.  
 
Between July and August 2011 we started an endowed scholarship fund thanks to the generosity of one of our 2011 faculty, Dr. Lee Copenhaver, and his hosting family, the Pellegrinis. We called it the Lee Copenhaver and the Pellegrini Family scolarship fund. However, we are still in the process. We are working to possibly attract donors to increase the fund to a size that would yield enough resources to cover a scholarship. For now, we will not be able to offer a scholarship for 2012. Should we find ourselves in a better position to start offering such scholarship, we will certainly advertise such opportunity through our website.