Master’s in Research and Practice, string orchestra practice option

Course 

This graduate diploma course is unique in France. Combining research and high-level practice, this Master's degree is offered by Sorbonne University and the PSPBB, as part of a strong and dynamic partnership within the Sorbonne University Alliance.

A unique professional preparation course

This Master's degree in Research and Practice, with a specialisation in orchestral string performance, is aimed at string players (violin, viola, cello, double bass) and provides two years of training to prepare students for a career as an orchestral musician.

The course is designed around three main areas:

• Very high-level individual and collective instrumental practices, including specific techniques for orchestra session preparation:
  • Deepening students’ individual overall musical skills (repertoire, instrumental performance)
  • Specific preparation techniques: excerpts, section playing, competition preparation, the role of section leader, individual preparation before orchestral sessions
  • Intensive orchestral practice, open to a wide stylistic and historic range, including musical creation and meetings with guest artists (composers, conductors, soloists, authors, and conductors among others)
• Study and research closely associated with orchestral practices (repertoire, analysis, creation, history, economy, sociology, posture, etc.) in the widest sense of the term. Students must pass a viva for their professional dissertation that highlights their research on a topic connected to orchestral practice, and which is related to their end-of-studies concert, that shows their technical and artistic analysis skills, their ability for theoretical and aesthetic reflection and their capacity to use scientific language and conduct bibliographic research.
• A professional development module, which covers all the elements making up live performance, including all related professions and available resources (mediation, legal status, copy right and related rights, preparing for professional integration, etc.)

The Course

Length 

The master’s program is four semesters long, taking place over two years (M1 and M2).

Conditions of admissibility

To be admitted, prospective students must pass an entrance exam and must have already completed a DNSPM or other undergraduate studies.

The course is designed for a class size of 12 musicians.

Prospective student profile

This specific course is meant for students:

• Possessing a high individual level on their instrument and seeks to develop a solid career path through an orchestral performance course
• Possessing a deep knowledge of contemporary music, particularly orchestral music
• Interested in musical events, and in particular musical creation
• Motivated by collective artistic creation such as in an orchestra as well as and the role that it plays in society

Artistic content of the course

The artistic content of the course is centred on four areas:

• Directed and undirected orchestral practices, with projects including solos, voice, and a creative project (one per year)
• Musicology classes, covering all eras and periods (from baroque to classical as well as contemporary)
• Orchestra sessions (four per year) are organised, which include at least two concerts
• Meetings and cross-over sessions (at least one every two years) are organised with foreign institutions (including the Hochschule, Haute École de Musique and conservatories)

Teaching team

The programme is supervised by a lead teacher, Xavier Gagnepain, and involves guest artists and chefs. All of them are in contact with the entire teaching team and play a role in working closely with students, providing advice, facilitating and acting as a teaching resource.

Graduation requirements

Over the two years of the course, students are required to be present for class and are evaluated via continuous assessment. Students are required to pass a research dissertation viva and perform a final recital related to their research topic. This final exam is preceded by intermediate assessment at the end of the first year (presentation of a research project and a recital).

Skills obtained 

The course will allow students to develop skills in the following areas:

• High-level individual and collective instrumental practices, mastery of fundamental technical and artistic orchestral techniques, preparation for orchestra auditions
• Musical analysis and contemporary musicology of orchestral practices
• Interpretation of contemporary works and creative openness
• Critical thinking about the elements of orchestral practices in the world today, about their relationship with audiences in all their diversity and the performance space

Career opportunities

The Master's degree in Research and Practice, with a specialisation in orchestral string practices, provides comprehensive and intensive preparation for participating in recruitment competitions organised by orchestras. It also allows students to pursue doctoral studies: the Doctorate in Music Research and Practice awarded by Sorbonne University and the Paris Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique, as well as all the performance doctorates offered by universities and music colleges in many countries, and doctoral programmes in musicology.

Professional partnerships

Developed in collaboration with the Musicology Department of Sorbonne University for the academic and research aspects, the PSPBB works with production and/or distribution partners (theatres, licensed and unlicensed venues, companies, creative centres and festivals, for example).

Partnerships have been established or are currently being developed with the Orchestre de Chambre de Paris, the ONDIF, the Orchestre Pasdeloup, the Théâtre de la Concorde, the Théâtre Monfort, the Théâtre de Vanves, the Théâtre du Chatelet, La Seine Musicale, the Festival de Saint-Denis, and others, as well as with the major institutes of the Sorbonne University Alliance, including the Collégium Musicae.

These partnerships enrich training in its ‘professional’ areas:

• A professional development module covering the fundamental technical aspects of live performance
• Artistic projects and encounters with specific projects, co-developed with partner organisations: commissions, invitations to guest artists (conductors, soloists, authors)
• Programming associated with partner venues and ensembles, enabling multiple performances in Paris, within the Grand Paris Seine Ouest (GPSO) public territorial institution and the Ile-de-France region, as well as outreach programmes and EAC (Artistic and Cultural Education) workshops.
• A visitor route designed to give students a real insight into these partner institutions, their programmes and their audiences.

Entrance exam

Learn more and apply for the entrance exam