Cursus Program on Composition and Computer Music
The Cursus is a two-year program in musical computing designed for young composers. It aims to provide them with in-depth technical independence and mastery of several computer programs, all in service of artistic creation.
Over the course of a full year, from October to the following September, participants receive training on software developed by IRCAM and used in musical composition (Max, OpenMusic, Modalys, TS2, Spat, and more).
Fully integrated into the institute, participants work in dialogue with researchers, doctoral students, developers, sound engineers, computer music designers and lecturers, composers, and guest artists, all of whom are active daily in IRCAM’s laboratories and studios.
After three years as Associate Composer of the Cursus program, Pierre Jodlowski continues to champion an interdisciplinary approach to composition. He leads collective workshops on image, movement, text, and improvisation, encouraging participants to experiment and develop their own creative processes. The goal is to extend their exploration into other artis-tic fields.
Primarily focused on musical aspects, the Cursus program is open to all forms of artistic practice, integrating technology into a wide range of aesthetic approaches and forms.
To validate the skills acquired throughout the year, participants present mini-projects at the end of each unit. These presentations also serve as a preparation for their final project, which will be showcased at the opening of the IRCAM musical season in September.
The next session of the program will take place in 2026-2027, marking the beginning of a new chapter with Eva Reiter as Associate Composer and the introduction of new pedagogi-cal directions. “Composing is like creating a musical instrument,” says Eva Reiter – a concept that takes on its full meaning when composing with electronics, treating them as instruments in their own right.
Beyond being a simple composition class, the Cursus is a space-time dedicated to experi-mentation, taking risks, and exploring oneself through interaction with technology. It’s a place where electronics are fully integrated into musical thought and the compositional ges-ture.
What vision do we want to project onto the world and society? What do we want to ex-press, defend, or question—and how do we address it to the audience? Under the guidance of Eva Reiter, the new pedagogical directions of the Cursus are grounded in contemporary challenges: using technology to serve musical thought, integra-ting artificial intelligence into the composition process, musicology and the analysis of works
In partnership with the Conservatoire national supérieur de musique et de danse de Paris (Cnsmdp), the Académie supérieure de musique de Strasbourg-HEAR, and the Conservatoire national supérieur de musique et de danse de Lyon (CNSMDL). Students enrolled in the composition Master's degree program at HEAR or CNSMDL have the opportunity, after selection by a jury, to complete their first or second year of Master’s training within the IRCAM Cursus. Those enrolled at CNSMDP may also benefit from support after their second year of the Master’s program.
The Maison de l’Île-de-France, located within the Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris (CIUP), provides accommodation for composers participating in the Cursus 2026-2027.
IRCAM warmly thanks the Direction of Innovation, Research, and Higher Education of the Île-de-France Region, the Maison de l’Île-de-France, and the Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris for their support of the Cursus.
The Cursus at A Glance
- 35 years of experience and a constantly evolving program
- A strong international dimension, with over 50 nationalities welcomed since the start of the program
- A close connection with IRCAM's research and innovation
- Expert instructors that are available and attentive
- Personalized support with a dedicated educational team
- Since 2016, over 40 commissions given to composers in the 4 years following the completion of their training
Cursus Educational Team
Simone Conforti, Grégoire Lorieux, Sébastien Naves, Claudia Jane Scroccaro computer-music designers lecturers
Pierre Jodlowski composer associated with the Cursus
Philippe Langlois education department director
Murielle Ducas educational coordination manager
Contact 01 44 78 48 17 | cursus (at) ircam.fr
The 2024.25 Class
Selected Composers for Cursus 2024.25
Konstantinos Baras
Konstantinos Baras (Greece, b.1993) is a Greek composer with a passion for complex and saturated sound. He embarked on his musical journey following a diagnosis of HanDL syndrome at the age of 18. Baras is recognized for creating works that convey intens…
Severin Dornier
Severin Dornier (Germany, b. 1993)
Working in the fields of music theatre, sound installation, media art, and all undefined grey areas in between, Severin's artistic practice is based on the very physical and haptic investigation of all natural and tech…
Emre Eröz
Emre Eröz (Turkey, b.1995) is a composer whose works explore the potential of complex sounds, drawing inspiration from various musical genres. He enjoys creating sonic narrations that explore the subtle spaces between the artificial and or…
Yoko Konishi
Yoko Konishi (Japan, b.1986) trained as a mixed music composer, multimedia artist, performer, and singer, with a particular curiosity for exploring noise and human perception through spatial expression.
As both a composer and performer, Yoko showcased h…
Antonio La Spina
Antonio La Spina (Italy, b. 1991) is a composer and pianist. He studied in Italy, the Netherlands, Germany, and Portugal and was chosen as a composer for the Internationale Ensemble Modern Akademie (IEMA) in 2020-2021. He has won prizes in the Acht Br&uu…
Sergi Puig
Sergi Puig (Spain, b. 1989) studied composition at the Conservatori Superior del Liceu in Barcelona with Ramon Humet and Benet Casablancas, graduating with distinction. He completed his training at the Kunstuniversität Graz with a master's degr…
Yana Shliabanska
Yana Shliabanska (Ukraine, b.1994) is a composer and sound artist. She is the author of contemporary classical music (chamber and orchestral), music for theatre, dance, and performances, electroacoustic music, and sound installations. She also performs a…
Jiwon Seo
Jiwon Seo (South Korea, b. 1993) a music composer and interdisciplinary artist, receives support from esteemed institutions such as the Ernst von Siemens Music Foundation and the Nicati-De Luze Foundation. Hir creations emerge as interdisciplinary artwor…
Luis Torres
Luis Torres (Mexico, b. 1993) is a composer of acoustic, acousmatic, and electroacoustic music. He obtained his first Master's Degree in composition at the Royal College of Music in London under the direction of Dai Fujikura and Kenneth Hesketh. He then …
Itziar Viloria
Itziar Viloria (Basque Country, b. 1997) is a composer, electronics performer, technical producer, and visual artist based between Barcelona and Bilbao. Her interest in various artistic disciplines and mixed music has led her to collaborate with art…
Apply to the Cursus Program
Due to the reorganization of the Cursus, the next call for applications will take place in June 2025 for the 2026–2027 academic year (October 2026 to September 2027).
Applicants
Applicants must be under 37 years old.
There are no applications fees
General Terms and Conditions
Calendar
- June 25, 2025: Opening of the call for applications
- December 3, 2025: Deadline for submitting applications
- December 2025 – February 2026: Selection process
- Mid-February 2026: Announcement of selection results for the 2026–2027 Cursus
After selection:
- Early March 2026: Selected candidates must confirm their enrollment by email
- March 2026: The detailed program for the 2026–2027 Cursus and the general terms and conditions will be sent to participants
- March–April 2026: Upon acceptance of the terms and confirmation of enrollment, a contract will be signed between IRCAM and the participant, and a deposit of €600 must be paid by April 29, 2026
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.
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)
Applicants selected for the Cursus program must confirm their participation in writing and commit to take on any other professional engagements during the program. 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.
Contact : cursus (@) ircam.fr
The Cursus is not eligible for the Compte personnel de formation (CPF).
Accessibility
Accessibility policy and access conditions for people with reduced mobility.
Persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to contact IRCAM at cursus (@) ircam.fr so that appropriate support can be arranged.
Complaints
For any complaints, please contact IRCAM through our online complaint form.
The Post-Cursus
The Post-Cursus takes place every two years, in the years when there is no full Cursus program. It will be implemented for the first time in 2025–2026. This professional development initiative allows a former composition Cursus participant to carry out an artistic residency within one of IRCAM’s research teams, in order to continue the work begun during the program. The selected composer receives a commissioned work co-produced with a partner organization, ensemble, or festival, and may be featured in IRCAM’s season or as part of the ManiFeste festival.