Exposition (photo gallery)

Shannon O'Leary
Jan 13, 2017
2 min read

Even before a classically trained music major takes Form and Analysis of Music we are aware of the ever present Sonata-Allegro form. It is made up of three parts: the Exposition, where themes are introduced/ the beginning, the Development, where themes are (surprise) developed, altered, patterns shift and become unstable, and finally, the Recapitulation, the return of themes from the Exposition but back and better than ever.

Horn player, writer, world traveler, general adventurer, educator, college student, astronomy enthusiast...

These are a few of the terms I identify with and by no means is that even the start of the list.

I am a student at Ithaca college, music education major, and have been planning for my opportunity to study abroad since my sophomore year.

I'm now a senior.

Yeah, it's not easy wanting to travel the world as a music education major. It takes some proactive steps if you want to escape the central New York winter for your last semester in undergraduate studies.

I'm here in Italy through the IES program to study music and so far, so good!

I'm in the Exposition of my journey here in Milan. Since arriving events have been a whirlwind of sights, sounds, and information. I am hearing themes for the first time, unsure if they are ornamentations of a bigger theme, or if they will carry through to the Recapitulation when my time abroad comes to a close.

For now, a recap on what I've accomplished so far in Milan:

Accommodations: Antica Locanda dei Mercanti, Homestay

Restaurants: Hosteria, Panini Durini, Cafe Sforzesco Bistrot, EatMe and Go, Cafe Dante, BANCO, The Rocking Horse

Museums/Sightseeing: la chiesa di San Maurizio, Pinacoteca di Brera, Castello Sforzesco, Teatro de Scala, Il Duomo

My first three days were spent in a beautiful, tiny, hotel right in the center of Milan off of Via Dante. The translation of the name is: The Antique Inn of the Merchant.

Time there was short as I met my host family a few days later. I was fortunate enough (definitely on purpose) to be placed into a family of musicians. Beyond that they are incredibly kind and helpful as I get used to life not only in Milan, but also in a city.

There is much to learn and infinite things to talk about. I am excited to see what Italy has in store, but for now I am focused on my beginning, my exposition, and hope to build a stable foundation from which to grow in this beautiful city.