1st cycle singing - 1er Cycle

Age limit: for women, under 25 on 1 October 2024

(born after^1/10/1999)

Musical training preliminary round

Procedure

The test comprises :

1. a spoken reading of two simple rhythms (one binary, one ternary) ;
2. a spoken reading of notes in the two mixed keys (G and F);
3. a reading of a simple vocalise and definition of its key;
4. an ear test: listening to, recognising and analysing intervals and 3-tone chords;
5. memorisation of a musical fragment.

For the first 3 tests, candidates are given a 15-minute practice session.

The following are exempt from these musical training tests

- candidates who hold the Instrumental Music Training Certificate from the CNSMD de Paris

- students or former students of the writing and accompaniment classes at the Lyon and Paris CNSMDs

- holders of the Diplôme d'Etat or the Certificat d'Aptitude de formation musicale issued by the Ministry of Culture.

Dates

Preliminary round: Thursday 1 February 2024

Invitation

An invitation will be sent to candidates.

Present

The music training eliminatory will take place in person at the Conservatoire national supérieur de musique et de danse de Paris.

Eligibility

Candidates who have passed the music training eliminatory will be admitted.

Procedure

Candidates will present the jury with 5 pieces (opera, comic opera, operetta, oratorio), 2 of which will be in French, demonstrating vocal range and knowledge of languages and styles. These pieces will include various technical difficulties.

(Note: countertenors may perform incidental music. Moreover, the language requirements do not apply to this range).

Of these 5 pieces, the candidates will sing two during the test: the first will be chosen by them, the second by the jury.

Dates

Eligibility: between 5 and 15 February 2024

Accompaniment

Please note: there is no rehearsal with the accompanist for the eligibility round. Candidates appear directly before the jury on the day of the test. Candidates are invited to talk to the accompanist for one or two minutes when they arrive in the jury room, to give important information about cuts and tempi in particular. Candidates are also invited to bring their scores, taped and clearly annotated, for the accompanist.

When indicating the programme, candidates should specify the pitch for baroque arias and provide a transposed score for the accompanist, if possible. If the pitch is not specified, the accompanist reserves the right not to transpose the score.

Invitation

An invitation will be sent to candidates.

Programme form

Candidates must indicate their programme on the form provided in the competition documents.

Present

The eligibility tests will be held in person at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris.

Admission

Procedure

1. From the list of 5 pieces proposed for the first phase of the admissibility round, the jury will choose one or two arias different from those performed during the admissibility round.
2. Two melodies (one in French, one in a foreign language) of the candidate's choice.
3. Interview in French with the jury.

Dates

Admission: between 5 and 15 February 2024

Accompaniment

The CNSMDP provides candidates with an accompanist for a rehearsal and for the test before the jury.

Invitation

An invitation will be sent to candidates.

Present

The admission tests will be held in person at the Conservatoire national supérieur de musique et de danse de Paris.

Language certificate

Candidates who are successful in the competitive entrance examination for the 1st cycle who are not nationals of French-speaking countries must present, before 30 June preceding their first enrolment at the Conservatoire, a certificate issued by a body approved by the French government attesting to a level of French at least equal to B1 on the Council of Europe's scale of common reference levels.