Traditional music department

The program is focused on cultural areas of France. It aims to broaden students’ horizons to other cultural areas whilst strengthening their knowledge and skills within their specific cultural area. It also allows students to explore other aesthetics and art forms related to their practice (such as storytelling and “collectage”).

The curriculum is built around these main orientations:

• In-depth study of fundamentals (variation, ornamentation, modal improvisation, etc.)
• Handling a specific shared musical language
• Expansion of cultural knowledge, particularly through observation and analysis of ressources.

Students are encouraged to develop a personal artistic approach that integrates these guidelines alongside contemporary issues in traditional music.

Learning relies on immersion whenever possible: mentorship, hands-on instrumental practice in most classes, observation, and active listening.

Singing and dancing are embeded into instrumental and cultural study and incorporated into most courses. Related art forms, such as traditional storytelling and field recording “collectage” methods, are addressed through dedicated modules.

A transversal approach is led for the artistic and research project, primarily through guided independent study—during the second and third years of the program. 

The curriculum prepares students for a variety of positions by meeting artists in residency, projects and internships partnered with venues, training centers, and presenters (such as UPCP-Métive, Nouveau Pavillon, CERC, Garage Résidence, Caminaires, Drom, etc.), and training in operational management for creating a company or a collective, leading to skills for concerts and shows :

• Teaching musician, teaching in conservatoires or associative music schools (bachelor in instrumental/vocal pedagogy)
• Performing artist (instrumentalist and/or vocalist)
• Live performing arts, multidisciplinary artistic projects (music, dance, theater, etc.)