Set up by Olivier Trachier in 1989, the ^XVth - ^XVIIth Century Polyphony class is now a unique feature of the Paris Conservatoire. It is devoted to the study of compositional techniques and the polyphonic repertoire in the West, from the ^fifteenth to the ^seventeenth centuries, particularly between 1550 and 1650. Combining analysis and composition, this course focuses on the main genres of sacred and secular vocal music for 2 to 12 voices, including the motet, psalm, mass, madrigal and chanson.

At the crossroads between music training, chamber music, instrumental and orchestral classes, the sight-reading class gives instrumentalists the essential solfeggio, musical and instrumental reflexes they need when faced with a new score. Once they have grasped the musical theme, they are in a position to give their own interpretation. This apprenticeship also forms the basis of collective playing, through ensemble sight-reading, which requires attentive listening to one's partners. Whether individual or collective, the course emphasises the concepts that are essential to all instrumental playing: intonation, rhythmic precision, nuances, flexibility of tone and the ability to construct a coherent musical phrase from reading.