Studying music in Paris is an engaging, rich, intensive and diversified experience. Students who wish to take music courses in Paris must demonstrate proficiency in the language. Students may stay music for the entire year or for the fall only. Regrettably we are unable to enroll students mid year (spring semester) in music courses as they are year long courses.
The Sarah Lawrence College music program centers around the following institutions:
- Schola Cantorum—all instruments and voice; solfège; theory and analysis; composition; history; individual and ensemble performance; master classes; special programs in piano pedagogy and organ.
- Ecole Normale de Musique—instruments and voice; solfège; theory and analysis; composition; history; individual and ensemble performance; master classes; individual practice rooms.
- Sorbonne Université—advanced academic studies include theory and analysis, history, musicology and ethnomusicology.
- American School of Modern Music—studies in jazz include all instruments and voice, theory, history, performance, study, rehearsal and social spaces; individual practice rooms.
A music course at Sarah Lawrence College in Paris
Students on the Paris Program take four courses, one or two of which may be taken in music for which they earn four or eight credits per term. A music course consists of three components:
- Individual instruction (instrumental performance, composition, electronic music, or voice)
- Theory or history
- Performance ensemble
An intensive music program at Sarah Lawrence College in Paris
For the advanced music student, it is possible, although challenging given the complexities of the French musical system, to take eight credits in music. The advanced student must enroll in two additional components in theory and/or history and/or performance. Ideally, study classical music or jazz at the Ecole normale de musique or at the American School of Modern Music for the entire year. These are intensives program for which they earn eight credits per term.
All courses are taught exclusively in French. Music students should be proficient in “fixed do” solfège before enrolling in music courses in Paris. They should also familiarize themselves with basic musical terms – such as the names of notes, accidentals, scales, rhythms and so on – in French. We recommend, as one example, the following book: Abrégé de la Théorie de la Musique, by A. Danhauser (Editions Henry Lemoine, 2002; 41, rue Bayen, 75017 – Paris). There are numerous websites that compare musical terms in different languages. We recommend the following: http://dictionary.onmusic.org
Students must apply in advance to the specific institution at which they wish to study. They should be prepared to submit theory tests as well as recordings of their work several months before their departure. Students should also expect to undergo an in-person audition upon their arrival in Paris. Instrumentalists and vocalists will usually be asked perform pieces (imposed and/or of their choosing). They should also be prepared to take diagnostic tests in solfège and theory and harmony, including sight-reading, sight-singing and dictation. Each candidate will be placed at a level of study corresponding to his or her abilities. All students applying to the music program in Paris must be approved by and receive initial guidance from the Director of the Sarah Lawrence College Music Program. Final programs will be arranged and approved by the Director in Paris.
Students who choose to live at the Cité Universitaire will be able to practice in the rehearsal room. Students who study at the Ecole Normale, or at the Amercian School of Modern Music . may practice in facilities at those institutions. Students will sign up for these spaces for specific times .