MASSIMO SGARGI
Massimo Sgargi - Composer, Conductor
Massimo Sgargi
After an intense period of activity as a jazz pianist, composer, arranger and big band conductor, for some years he has dedicated himself almost exclusively to the world of the Wind Band, as a composer and conductor.
He studied Composition and Instrumentation for Wind Orchestra at the Conservatory of Udine with Maestro Marco Somadossi, obtaining a Second Level Two-Year Degree, with full marks and honours.
His composition “Fair Play” was chosen as the compulsory piece for the third category of the Flicorno D'oro 2025 competition on Riva Del Garda.
His instrumentation of Vivaldi's “La Primavera” won first prize in the category B at the Monteleone D'Orvieto Young Band 2023 competition.
Two of his pieces for young band, "Walking in the Mitski Park" Grade 1 and "Green Hills" Grade 0,5, were featured in the Slovenian Musikras 2022 Competition.
His piece "Duende" for Young Band Grade 1 was highlighted in the Slovenian Musikras 2024 Competition.
His compositions and instrumentations are published by Scomegna and Baton Music.
His compositions, instrumentations and arrangements have been performed by: ANBIMA FVG Regional Young Band, Fanfare of the Pozzuolo del Friuli Cavalry Brigade, Palazzolo sull'Oglio Band, Cormons Young Band.
Since 2021 he has conducted the Municipal Band of Casalecchio di Reno, a suburb of Bologna.
He has produced the soundtracks of numerous nature documentaries and commercial and industrial videos. He composed a series of advertising jingles for the DAPS agency which appeared on all national networks.
From '80 to '86 he was “maestro sostituto” of the Teatro Comunale of Bologna.
In 1995 he curated and conducted "Orchestra for Duke Ellington", a project for which he composed the suite "Duke's Tale", on themes of the great black American composer.
In 2001 he orchestrated two chamber arias by Verdi for the soprano Mirella Freni performed at the Teatro Comunale of Modena as part of the celebrations for Verdi's centenary.
EDUCATION
He studied with: Franco D'Andrea, Emma Pasi, Adone Zecchi, Bruno Zanolini, Felice Fugazza, Stefano Gatta, Marco Somadossi.
Seminars with Karlheinz Stockhausen, Franco Donatoni, Mal Waldron, Giancarlo Gazzani, Jack Walrath.
Degrees in Composition, Choral Conducting and Electronic Music, Degree from DAMS.
In 2021, a first level three-year degree and in 2023 a second level two-year degree, with full marks and honours, in Composition and Instrumentation for Wind Orchestra at the Conservatory of Udine with Maestro Marco Somadossi.
In 2019, 2021 and 2023, three-year and two-year diploma courses for band conductors, organized by ANBIMA Emilia-Romagna and conducted by Maestro Stefano Gatta with numerous guest teachers.
In 2023, Diploma of the Three-Year Training Course for Band Conductors, organized by ANBIMA FVG with Maestro Marco Somadossi.
TEACHING
From 1985 to 2020 he held the chair of Score Reading at the Modena Conservatory, also teaching Computer Production, Jazz Composition and Improvisation.
Since 2002 he has been a member of the keyboard department of the Music Academy MPDA, associated with the University of Bedfordshire.
