Organ improvisation - 1er Cycle

Information

  • Name

    Organ improvisation

  • Cycle

    1st Cycle

  • Course's number of years

    3 years

  • Maximum duration

    3 years

    Students in the first and second years of the1st cycle who feel that they can complete the1st cycle at the end of the current school year may sit the final exam for the1st cycle at the end of the first or second year instead of the final exam; if they fail the exam and/or do not pass all the disciplines attached to the diploma, they must continue their studies in the next year of the1st cycle and sit the final exam again.

  • ECTS

    180

  • Delivered diploma

    Diplôme de1er cycle supérieur d'Improvisation au clavier (1st cycle advanced diploma in keyboard improvisation)

    The distinction (Très bien, Bien or Assez bien) qualifying the Diplôme de1er cycle supérieur is that awarded by the jury at the end of the final examination in the main discipline.

    The Diplôme de1er cycle supérieur d'Improvisation au clavier is also awarded to students who did not obtain a distinction in the final examination in their main discipline, but whose results in the first and second year examinations so permit, in accordance with the procedures described in Title I - article 5 of the study regulations.

  • Course objectives and content

    Specific practice of improvisation in the context of the organist's profession.

    Study of languages and forms, learning improvisation structured by harmonic discourse.

  • French language certificate

    B1

  • Number of complementary disciplines to validate

    1

Disciplines

  • Practical aspects of the job 1 (Discipline complémentaire imposée - 0 ECTS)

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  • Practical aspects of the business 2 (Discipline complémentaire imposée - 0 ECTS)

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  • Organ improvisation (Discipline principale - 142 ECTS)

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  • Music analysis B (Discipline complémentaire imposée - 8 ECTS)

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  • Introduction to the history of music (Discipline complémentaire imposée - 2 ECTS)

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  • Introduction to writing B (Discipline complémentaire imposée - 8 ECTS)

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  • Keyboard harmonization A (Discipline complémentaire imposée - 8 ECTS)

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  • Modern language (Discipline complémentaire imposée - 3 ECTS)

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  • Work experience - 1st cycle (Discipline complémentaire imposée - 4 ECTS)

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Entrance exam

Keyboard improvisation - Organ (undergraduate)

Opening date for registration :  10 October 2025

Closing date for registration :  14 November 2025

Description :

NO AUDITION IN 2026

 

Important: Non-EU candidates must apply for a short-stay “competition” visa in order to take part in the entrance examinations. If successful, this visa will then allow you to apply for a student visa. You should not apply for a tourist visa. More information here

 

Admission

  1. Johann Sebastian Bach: first or last movement of one of the six Trio Sonatas, at the candidate’s choice

  2. One work of the candidate’s choice from List A, set pieces announced January 10

  3. Harmonization on the organ of a required classical text or a required popular song, followed by a free improvisation on the theme, maximum duration 5 minutes

  4. Free improvisation of three short pieces, total duration approximately 5 minutes, on a single imposed element

No. 3 and 4 are preceded by a 20-minute preparation period without an instrument.

Students currently enrolled in an organ curriculum at the CNSMD of Paris or Lyon are exempt from no. 1 and 2.

 

Candidates admitted to the first-cycle entrance audition who are not nationals of French-speaking countries must provide, before June 30 preceding their first enrollment at the Conservatoire, a certificate issued by an organization approved by the French government attesting to a French level of at least B1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

Maximum age : 26