Each course is divided into three parts: theory - practice on the instrument or singing - written exercises to help memorise the essential material. The subjects covered are as follows: Theoretical and musical sources (works) - research methods, ancient publishing techniques and their limitations, notation and its evolution, terminology, basso continuo and its notations, prosody, the foundation of the French vocal and instrumental style, inequalities, their birth, evolution and disappearance, the various early solfeggios and their development, basso continuo notation and its development, aggregmentation and its development from 1600 to 1800 (all the agréments are studied, one by one), the art of the double and of variation, the forms of the instrumental suite, the forms of lyric theatre and, finally, articulations and vibratos. For each subject, students are given a documentation booklet.

Conductors learn about the requirements and contingencies of conducting projects with solo voices (from 2 to 8 voices). They will experience the technical, methodological and practical challenges involved. Backed by their symphonic experience, they will explore the stylistic variety of dramatic and liturgical fields from 1750 to the present day. The course is regularly supported by student singers.

All repertoires and ensembles are covered in this course. Seven orchestral sessions a year are organised at the Conservatoire, with the Orchestre des Lauréats du Conservatoire (OLC) and the Orchestre des étudiants du Conservatoire. Sessions also take place outside the Conservatoire, with theOrchestre de Picardie and the Orchestre National des Pays de Loire (ONPL) in particular. Each year, through a series with theEnsemble Intercontemporain (EIC), music from the ^20th and ^21st centuries is given special attention. These sessions under professional conditions involve working at a desk and with two pianos alongside Alexandre Piquion, as well as four or five days spent with the orchestra with Alain Altinoglu and several guest conductors, before performing in public concerts at the Conservatoire or in partner venues.