Piano accompaniment - 2ème Cycle
Information
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Name
Piano accompaniment
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Cycle
2nd Cycle
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Course's number of years
3 years
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Maximum duration
2 years
A third year may be considered provided that :
- a request is made before the end of the first term of the second year ;
- all the complementary and optional subjects have been completed in two years, the third year being used only to follow the main subject;
- they have received a favourable opinion from a committee comprising the school headmaster, the head of department and the teacher of the main subject.
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ECTS
120
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Delivered diploma
Diplôme de2e cycle supérieur d'Accompagnement au piano conferring the grade of Master.
The grade of the2nd cycle diploma conferring the grade of Master is the grade obtained in the recital of the second year of the2nd cycle.
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Course objectives and content
This course is designed for chamber or solo pianists, composers or conductors who play the piano at a high level and wish to improve their skills through contact with the various aspects of the class:
- soloist in a contemporary music ensemble, or pianist in a large symphony orchestra ;
- pianist in choirs (Orchestre de Paris, Radio-France, operas, choirs), conductors, etc. ;
- orchestral score reader, arranger (conducting classes, transcription work, premieres, etc.);
- accompanist for international competitions, recitals, singing and instrument lessons;
- teacher of accompaniment, sight-reading, ensemble music, etc.
The2nd cycle Superior Diploma in Piano Accompaniment, conferring the grade of Master , is awarded to students who have obtained all of the following awards:
Piano accompaniment Main discipline 82 Historical and technical approach to the piano DCI 1 Introduction to writing A or B 4 Modern language 2 Research methodology Personal study work Practical aspects of the profession 3 Practical aspects of the profession 4 Introduction to teaching methods ECTS
- the piano accompaniment prize 82
- a certificate or attestation in each of the following compulsory complementary disciplines :
. historical and technical approach to the piano 1
. introduction to writing A or B 4
. modern language 2
- a certificate or attestation in each of the following specific disciplines :
. research methodology 3
. personal study work 9
. practical aspects of the profession 3 2
. practical aspects of the profession 4 1
. introduction to teaching 4
. work experience 6
- a certificate or attestation in one of the following optional disciplines: 6
. choreographic accompaniment
. keyboard harmonisation
. improvisation
. introduction to orchestral conducting
. introduction to fortepiano
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French language certificate
B2
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Number of complementary disciplines to validate
0
Disciplines
Entrance exam
Piano accompaniment (master's degree)
Opening date for registration : 10 October 2025
Closing date for registration : 14 November 2025
Exam dates : Du jeudi 19 au vendredi 20 février 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
This audition is open to candidates meeting one of the following criteria:
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Holder, in France, of a Diplôme national supérieur professionnel de musicien (DNSPM) in piano
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Holder of a first-cycle higher education diploma in accompaniment from the CNSMD of Paris or Lyon
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Holder, abroad, of a first-cycle higher education diploma in piano or piano accompaniment
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Currently enrolled as a student in the second-cycle higher education program in vocal accompaniment or vocal conducting at the CNSMD of Paris or Lyon
Candidates who will obtain the required diploma only at the end of the academic year may apply by including with their application a certificate of enrollment specifying their current status. If successful in the audition, final admission will be granted only upon submission of the complete diploma, no later than September 30 of their first academic year. Otherwise, they will lose the benefit of their admission.
Preselection
Based on examination by an internal jury of a dossier including:
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Copy of the diploma required
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Curriculum vitae
Admissibility
- Performance of one or more set pieces from the piano repertoire (announced February 1)
- Sight-reading of one or more orchestral transcriptions (10 minutes preparation in a practice room with piano)
At their request, candidates may be exempted from the admissibility tests if they meet one of the following criteria:
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Holder of a first-cycle higher education diploma in accompaniment from the CNSMD of Paris or Lyon
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Holder of a second-cycle higher education diploma in piano, vocal accompaniment, or vocal conducting
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Currently enrolled in the second-cycle program in vocal accompaniment or vocal conducting at the CNSMD of Paris
Admission
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Accompaniment of an instrumental or concerto work, followed or preceded by a rehearsal and interpretative work with the soloist(s) of the audition
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Piano reduction of a large excerpt of a work for strings and one or more transposing instruments, assigned three days before the test (performance with score, without page-turner)
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Reduction of a vocal ensemble written in modern clefs
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Transposition of a work for voice and piano (up to a major third)
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Interview in French with the jury
For items 1, 3, and 4: a 30-minute preparation in a practice room with piano will be provided.
The jury reserves the right to intervene during the tests, except for admissibility test no. 1.
Candidates admitted to the second-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. Furthermore, before December 10 following their first enrollment, they must submit a certificate attesting to a French level of at least B2.
Maximum age : 29