1st cycle singing - 1er Cycle

 

Age limit: All male candidates must be under 27 on October 1^st 2026

(born after October 1^st 1999)

 

Musical training preliminary round

 

 

Description

 

This test consists in :

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

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.

 

Candidates will be given a 15-minute practice session for the first three tests.

 

The following are exempt from these musical training tests

- Holders of 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

 

February 12^th 2026

 

Invitation

 

An invitation will be sent to candidates.

 

 

Attendance

 

The music training preliminary round will take place onsite at the Conservatoire national supérieur de musique et de danse de Paris.

 

Eligibility

 

Candidates who have passed the music training preliminary round will be admitted to the eligibility round.

 

Description

 

Candidates will submit to the jury a list of 5 musical pieces (opera, comic opera, operetta, oratorio), 2 of which will be in French. Each piece will highlight the candidate’s vocal range and knowledge of languages and styles. These pieces will include various technical difficulties.

 

Candidates will sing two pieces out of the 5 they submitted. They will chose the first one, the jury will chose the second one.

 

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

 

 

Dates

 

February 16^th to 27^th 2026.

 

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 as they arrive in the jury room, to give them important information about cuts and/or tempi. Candidates will bring a copy of their scores, taped and clearly annotated, for the accompanist.

When presenting their programme, candidates will 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 will write down their programme on the provided form.

 

Attendance

 

The eligibility tests will take place onsite at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris.

 

 

Admission round

 

Description

 

1. The jury will choose one or two arias from the list of 5 pieces submitted for the eligibility round. These two pieces will be different from those performed during the eligibility round.
2. The candidate will perform two art songs of their choice (one in French, one in another language).
3. Interview in French with the jury.

 

Dates

 

February 16^th to 27^th 2026.

 

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.

 

Attendance

 

The admission tests will take place onsite at the Conservatoire national supérieur de musique et de danse de Paris.

 

Language certificate

 

Candidates selected for the Bachelor’s degree who are nationals of non French-speaking countries will submit, by June 30th 2026, a certificate issued by a French organization certified by the French authorities and attesting of a B1 level in French language  according to the Council of Europe's scale of common reference levels.