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Versailles :
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The organ class at the Versailles National Regional Conservatory of Music (Conservatoire à Rayonnement Régional)



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Our Degree Programs

The Diplôme d'Etudes Musicales (DEM): Diploma of Musical Studies
The D.EM. is a specific Diploma for students who prepare a professional career. This diploma was called « Prix » in the passed years in France. The duration is 2 years.
Admission « Competition » on April 29th 2024 (a second admission on september or october 2024 could be open too):

Program of the Entrance Examination in DEM (also named COP) :

1/ One work by J.S. BACH among the list below :
First or Last movement of a Trio Sonata at the choice of the applicant
Fugue in G minor BWV 562/2
Prelude in Eflat Major BWV 552/1
Fugue in Eflat Major BWV 552/2
Prelude and fugue in G Minor BWV 546.
Prelude and fugue in A Minor BWV 543
Prelude and fugue in G Major BWV 542
Prelude in B Minor BWV 544
Toccata in D Minor BWV 538
Toccata in C Major BWV 564

2/ One work composed after 1750 and at the choice of the applicant.

3/ A First Reading test. Organ score given 5 minutes in advance.

CPES Cycle
Admission « Competition » on April 29th 2024

Please contact the Conservatoire à Rayonnement Régional de Versailles for any informations.
Programm for the entrance examination on April 29th 2024.
Final from one of the Trio Sonata by JS Bach + one free virtuoso piece + one free expressive piece.
One of the work should be performed by memory.

Artist Diploma (Prix de Perfectionnement)
Admission « Competition » on April 29th 2024 (a second admission on september or october 2024 would be open too):

Entrance program: Free program, maximum duration 15 minutes.

Duration of studies: 1 or 2 years.
The student doesn't necessarily have to speak French and there is only Organ performances lessons each week (1hour) and some Chamber music lessons during the year.
The student who obtain this diploma is invited by the Friends of the organ of Versailles to give a recital at the great historical organ in the Saint-Louis Cathedral at the Festival Molière. He also receives the Price of Friends of the organ of Versailles and its region.

Licence (BACHELOR) of "Music and Heritage Interpretation"
Admission « Competition » on April 29th 2024
Free program : 20 minutes + 10 minutes interview with the jury. One of the pieces should be by Johann Sebastian Bach and performed by memory.
1/ One imposed work
2/ One work by Johann Sebastian BACH at the choice of the applicant and between 10 - 15 minutes (Prelude & fugue, Trio Sonata, ...).
3/ One work at the choice of the applicant and no longer than 15 minutes.
4/ a Basso-Continuo and first reading test

The Bachelor is in partnership with the University of Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines Paris Saclay. The langage is French for the studies.

Admission is based on a competitive entrance examination (Baccalauréat and Diploma of Musical Studies [DEM] or equivalent diploma are obligatory).
Enrolment in the Licence programme
French and European candidates at www.admission-postbac.fr
Foreign candidates (outside the EU) and French residents: on the University of Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines website http://www.uvsq.fr/la-demande-d-admission-prealable-dap--298173.kjsp
Non-French residents: on Campus France www.campusfrance.org/fr

Master's: 'Music, Performance and Heritage'
Admission is based on a competitive entrance examination.
Admission « Competition » on May 16th 2023 at 2:00PM
Free program : 30 minutes + 15 minutes interview with the jury.

Prerequisites:
Musical level: Performer's licence, DNSPM, Bachelor's or equivalent. Students holders of a licence or an equivalent foreign university degree.
Admission conditions:
Admission involves two steps
Eligibility: examination of the candidate's application
Admission: musical test before a jury, presentation of a one-hour program including solo parts and chamber works of varied styles.
Inscriptions in Master:
Applications must be filed directly online on the University of Paris-Saclay website: https://www.universite-paris-saclay.fr/fr/formation/admission
For non-EU foreign students, this must be completed on Campus France: www.campusfrance.org
Entrance competition : please contact the Conservatoire de Versailles
contacts: nathalie.dugail@uvsq.fr

The Instruments for lessons and practice time



The Chapel of Notre-Dame-des-Armées neoclassical aesthetic organ built in 1982 by Renaud, III/P/34 *
The Royal Chapel of Versailles ** : French classical organ by Jean-Loup Boisseau and Bertrand Cattiaux, IV / P / 37
the Cathedral Saint-Louis in Versailles

The Conservatory has three practice organs:
Organ Gonzales II / P / 5
Shwenkedel organ II / P / 1
Etienne Organ Fouss I / P / 2

Outstanding events


Each year a Master class by a great master of the organ complements the training of students: Michel Bouvard, James David Christie, Ton Koopman and Vincent Warnier are among the invited organists.
Each year students are invited to produce class concert at the Versailles festival and in St. Louis Cathedral. Exceptional concerts in Paris or in the neighbors areas are held occasionally (Royaumont, Amilly, ...).

Small plus


Each Laureate of a D.E.M. degree or higher (Artist Diploma, Bachelor or Master) is invited by the Friends of the organ of Versailles to give a recital at the great historical organ in the Saint-Louis Cathedral at the Month Festival Molière. It also receives the Price of Friends of the organ of Versailles and its region.

Pupils from the 3rd cycle enjoy during Continuo and deciphering more of the teachings of musical culture (analysis, writing, music history), chamber music and improvisation sessions.

Alumni


The excellence of teaching formed many professional organists (liturgical, concert artists, teachers).
Since 2009 the organ class of Jean-Baptiste Robin has many students who were awarded of specialized cycle (DEM, Artist Diploma or higher). Among them: Christopher Houlihan (USA), Heather Kirkconnell (USA), Matthieu Jolivet, Pierre Offret, Anne-Isabelle de Parcevaux, Quentin du Verdier, Arthur Nicolas-Nauche and Mélodie Michel

Contact


CONSERVATORY OF VERSAILLES
Lien1-http: //www.crr.versaillesgrandparc.fr">http: //www.crr.versaillesgrandparc.fr
24, rue Chancellery
78000 Versailles
Such. 01 39 66 30 10 - Fax 01 39 66 30 11

Disposition of instruments


* The Organ at Notre-Dame-des-Armées Chapel
Organ neoclassical aesthetic Renaud built in 1982, III / P / 34.
The chapel is located behind the City Hall, in the center of Versailles. The organ is accessible for students all the week.

Grand-Orgue (I) : Bourdon 16', Montre 8', Bourdon 8', Prestant, Doublette, Quinte, Sifflet, Plein Jeu, Trompette, Clairon
Positif (II) : Bourdon 8', Prestant, Nazard, Doublette, Tierce, Plein jeu, Cromorne
Récit (III) : Bourdon 8', Principal 8', Unda Maris, Principal 4', Flûte 2', Cornet, Plein Jeu, Hautbois, Voix Humaine, Trompette
Pédale : Soubasse, Bourdon 8, Flûte 8, Octave 4', Bombarde 16', Trompette 8', Clairon 4'
Couplers III / I, II / I, III / II, Pedal couplers : I, II, III



** Organ at the Royal Chapel of Versailles Organ French classic by Jean-Loup Boisseau and Bertrand Cattiaux, IV / P / 37

1st manual POSITIVE (11 stops)
50 notes (C1 to D5 without first C #)
Montre 8 - Bourdon 8 - Prestant 4 - Flûte 4 - Nazard 2 2/3 - Doublette 2 - Tierce 1 3/5 - Larigot 1 1/3 - Plein-jeu VI - Trompette 8 - Cromorne 8
2nd manual GRAND ORGAN (16 stops)
50 notes (C1 to D5 without first C #)
Bourdon 16 - Montre 8 - Bourdon 8 - Dessus de Flûte (Ut3) - Prestant - Grande Tierce 3 1/5 - Nazard 2 2/3 - Doublette 2 - Quarte 2 - Tierce 1 3/5 - Fourniture IV - Cymbale IV - Grand Cornet V (ut3) - Trompette 8 - Clairon 4 - Voix Humaine 8
third manual Récit (3 stops)
32 notes (G2 to D5)
Cornet V - Trompette 8 - Hautbois 8
4th manual ECHO (3 stops)
32 notes (G2 to D5)
Bourdon 8 / Prestant 4 (on the same register) - Cornet III - Voix Humaine 8
PEDAL (4 stops)
30 notes (A0-C1-D1 to F3)
Flute 8 - 4 Flute - Trumpet 8 - Clarion 4
Tremblant doux, tremblant fort (à vent perdu), accouplements à tiroir : I/II and II/III, Pedal coupler to G.O.

*** 2 Study Organs


Shwenkedel organ (1970's)
2 manuals, Pedalboard, Flute 8 à cheminée


Gonzales organ
2 manuals, Pedalboard, Bourdon 8, Flûte à cheminée, Prestant 4, Doublette et Plein Jeu


****Positive Organ


Etienne Fouss, 2014 :
1 manual, Pedalboard, Flute 8 and Montre 8.