Cursus Program on Composition and Computer Music
Serving the institute’s missions of research and creation, the Cursus program for composition and computer music is the flagship program in the broad range of IRCAM’s educational activities. Initiated in 1990 under Pierre Boulez, numerous composers (such as F. Baschet, F. Bedrossian, O. Bianchi, E. Campion, R. Cendo, F. Filidei, J. Fineberg, S. Gervasoni, C. Iannotta, M. Lanza, B. Mantovani, Y. Maresz, B. Pauset, H. Parra, Y. Robin, L. Ronchetti, G. Spiropoulos, C. Trapani, F. Verunelli) have enhanced their musical thought through the technological tools made available in the Cursus program where the philosophy is that the computer is a tool for musical creation.
For 10 months (from September to June), a special program will be implemented so students can acquire genuine technical autonomy and fluency in a number of computer programs.
Included in the activities at the heart of our institute, composers are trained in the use of IRCAM software for music composition (Max, OpenMusic, Modalys, AudioSculpt, Spat, etc.) in a wide-ranging and productive environment based on exchanges and encounters with researchers, programmers, sound engineers, computer-music designers, and composers working in our labs and studios. Training features hands-on work in the studios, improvisation workshops with electronics, and guest artist seminars.
Students present mini projects at the end of each unit throughout the program. This validates their skills and prepares them for the production of their final project presented to the public during the ManiFeste festival.
IRCAM focuses on a constant renewal and is open to changes. As a result, this final project can now be expressed using a multitude of forms: a piece of music, a sonic installation, an electronic or electroacoustic work including other media such as dance, images, text, poetry, etc. Forms and formats are very open.
Performers who take part in the Cursus concert are young professionals chosen for their student projects.
With the idea of encouraging transdisciplinary dialogue between music composition and other forms of creation, joint projects are offered in partnership with the Beaux-Arts de Paris – musique/arts plastiques – (Supersonic Chair: exposer, monter, habiter le son) and the dance department at the Conservatoire de Paris (CNSMDP).
New! Chair with Beaux-Arts de Paris: "Supersonic Chair: Exhibiting, Mouting and Inhabiting Sound"
Today's creative practices and digital tools combine visual and sound arts. The Supersonic Chair: exhibiting, mounting and inhabiting sound brings together students from Beaux-Arts de Paris with those from the IRCAM Cursus. It functions as a workshop for sharing methods and tools to compose sound, visual and sensorial space and imagine a group in situ work.
At the crossroads of many practices or even the subject matter of many works, sound is omnipresent in art. It presupposes technical resources and a detailed knowledge of the place of sound in art, as well as contemporary sound issues. Of course, sound goes far beyond music. Here the aim is to give students the resources to work with sound as one works with wood or metal, with the appropriate tools.
A presentation of the students' work will take place in June at the Théâtre des expositions des Beaux-Arts de Paris and during IRCAM’s ManiFeste-2021 festival.
Through a partnership with the Conservatoire de Paris, the Haute Ecole de musique de Genève, the Academie supérieure de musique de Strasbourg-Hear, and the Conservatoire national supérieur de musique et de danse de Lyon students enrolled in a Master’s degree in composition in one of these establishments can follow the first year of their degree in IRCAM’s Cursus program.
Applicants selected for the Cursus program have the possibility, upon request, to be housed at the Cité internationale des arts de Paris. They will have a studio/room throughout the program. Monthly housing fees are paid by the students.
Selected Composers for Cursus 2021.22
Sebastian Adams (Ireland), Utku Asuroglu (Turkey), Basile Chassaing (France), Sachie Kobayashi (Japan), Matthias Krüger (Germany), Theocharis Papatrechas (Greece), Filippos Sakagian (Greece), Aida Shirazi (Iran), QingQing Teng (China), Julie Zhu (United-States).
Cursus Educational Team
Simone Conforti, Jean Lochard, Grégoire Lorieux, Mikhail Malt, Sébastien Naves
computer-music designers lecturers
Thierry De Mey composer associated with the Cursus (through June 2021)
Pierre Jodlowski composer associated with the Cursus (from September 2021)
Philippe Langlois education department director
Murielle Ducas educational coordination manager
Public composers (under 35 years old)
Contact 01 44 78 48 17 | cursus (at) ircam.fr
La promotion 2020.21
Didem Coskunseven
Damian Gorandi
Matteo Gualandi
Jug Marković
Megumi Okuda
Clara Olivares
Alexandru Sima
Yang Song
Jon Yu
Apply to the Cursus Program 21.22
Applications for the Cursus 21.22 are closed.
Selected applicants will receive an email by the end of January 2021
Applicants
Applicants must be under 35 years old.
There are no applications fees
Calendar
Applications accepted from October, 15 through November, 30 at 10am
Apply online: ULYSSES Platform
Applicants must create an account (or use an existing account) on the ULYSSES platform, complete their profile, and click on “apply” on the Cursus call for applications 2021/2022 page.
Application File
Your dossier must include:
- A copy of valid ID or passport
- A detailed curriculum vitae
- The list of professional experiences and awards
- A cover letter
- One or several letters of recommendation
- Three recent works, at least one with electronics (score, audio recording, video, etc.)
- The URL to download a patch for one of your compositions (Max or any other real-time software) from the platform of your choice. Remember to give a permanent URL that does not require a password.
For non-Francophone applicants: a copy of your TEF exam (level B2) or equivalent diploma or any other document proving an equivalent level of oral comprehension.
Conditions for Applicants and Selected Candidates
10 places are available
Registration fees: 2,000€ (includes the Premium Individuel membership to the IRCAM Forum for 2 years)
Deposit due before February 15, 2021: 600 euros
Applicants selected for the Cursus 2021/2022 program must confirm their participation in writing before January 15, 2021 and commit to take on any other professional engagements during the program (September 2021-June 2022). Classes are held at IRCAM from Monday through Friday, from 10am to 1pm and from 2:30 to 5:30pm. There are two weeks of vacation in December for the holidays.
Scholarships
IRCAM does not give out any scholarships or pay for any travel, but can assist you when looking for financial aid. The Cursus program is considered to be continued professional training.
Contact: cursus (@) ircam.fr
Applicants selected for the Cursus program have the possibility, upon request, to be housed at the Cité internationale des arts de Paris. They will have a studio/room throughout the program. Monthly housing fees are paid by the students.
Furthermore, applicants selected for the Cursus program signed up in the Sacem repertory are eligible for a scholarship. Contact the Sacem directly to request a dossier.
