Young saxophone, trumpet and trombone players who do not have yet a suitable preparation for direct admission to the Academic courses can start the study path from the Pre-academic / Foundation course, with a duration ranging from 1 to 3 years, strictly dependent on the level of access and individual study rhythms.
For 40 years the pre-academic course has represented Saint Louis’ strength to acquire high-level preparation for admission to limited number academic courses.

The course aims to prepare the students on a good level of emission and intonation technique, on the ability to perform major scales harmonized with seventh arpeggios, pentatonic scales, minor melodic scales and harmonics in at least seven keys, arpeggios of maj7, min7, 7, m7b5 chords, improvisation skills on the blues and approach to other simple forms.
In the pre-academic three-year period, at least 2 years of brass and winds section ensembles are attended, in preparation to the admission in Saint Louis Orchestras and Big Bands.
The study of contemporary harmony goes from the basics to the 5-voice chords, with tensions and alterations, altered scales, modal exchanges and harmonization techniques of melodies. The Ear training course will bring each student to know how to recognize melodies, chord progressions, rhythmic patterns, up to develop the ability to transcribe a mini-song, without the aid of tools.
Each student personalizes his/her own style and repertoire by choosing the teacher for individual instrument lessons.