In seventeenth century Italy, overcrowding, violent political uprising, and plague led an astonishing number of abandoned and orphaned children to overwhelm the cities. Out of the piety of private citizens and the apathy of local governments, the system of conservatori was created to house, nurture, and train these fanciulli vaganti (roaming children) to become hatters, shoemakers, tailors, goldsmiths, cabinet makers, and musicians - a range of practical trades that might sustain them and enable...

•  Preface
•  1. Introduction
•  Part I -  Children in Need
•  2. Little Boys on Their Own
•  3. Masters Take Up the Challenge
•  4. Child Labor
•  5. Institutionalized Apprenticeship
•  6. Social Class
•  Part II -  Technologies of Traning
•  7. Schemas and Exemplars
•  8. Solfeggi and the Acquisition of Style
•  9. Partimenti and the Power of Improvisation
•  10. Counterpoint and Collocation
•  11. Int...