Information for term Summer Contemporary Music Creation + Critique
Application deadline, and cost information.
Overview
Click to OpenIf you’ve got a passion for composition, this four-week Parisian adventure will be music to your ears. Learn from the experts at the world-famous IRCAM at the Centre Pompidou, recognized for experimental composition and research, with a unique three-step curriculum sure to take your skills to the next level. Top it off with celebrated musical festival and travel to Brittany.
COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement
CIEE is requiring all participants to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before traveling on programs. Read more ›
Unique Experiences
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Learn from and collaborate
with IRCAM students, composers, researchers, scholars, and visiting performers.
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Master cutting-edge electronic
composition software – then enjoy a year of access to IRCAM’s software database back home.
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Connect with celebrated artists
and composers at the IRCAM ManiFESTE music festival.
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annual visitors to the Notre Dame cathedral
14M -
monuments throughout the city
1,803 -
trees line Parisian streets
470K
Location & Culture
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Your Destination
If you’re looking to spend time in one of the world’s most prominent centers of culture, finance, and commerce, you’ll find it in Paris. The capital of France – and the country’s most populous city – Paris is a top tourist destination and will make you fall in love with its historic landmarks, exquisite dining, and charming architecture. Paris has hosted two Summer Olympics and two FIFA World Cups, and each year the city hosts the final stage of the Tour de France bicycle race.
CIEE wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. Local CIEE staff have provided details about conditions and cultural attitudes that students with specific identities might encounter in Paris.
The Culture
EXCURSIONS & ACTIVITIES
- Attend concerts, conferences, exhibitions, and happenings around multi-media and new music technology and composition, during IRCAM’s ManiFESTE festival.
- Enjoy two-day trips to explore musically relevant cities and culturally rich towns outside of Paris.
- Savor time in the studio, patching, sound sculpting, composing, and more.
Daily Life
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HOUSING
All housing is within a 45 -minute commute to CIEE.
Residence Halls: Students usually live with a mix of CIEE students, local and international students. If local health and safety regulations permit, students live in double or triple rooms.
Apartments: Students live in apartments shared with other CIEE students. If local health and safety regulations permit, most students live in double or triple rooms. Each apartment will have shared common spaces, including kitchen and bathroom.
Housing is tight in Paris. If we can’t accommodate your first housing choice, we’ll let you know before you arrive. -
MEALS
Residence Halls and Apartments: Meals are not included.
Paris, France Where You'll Study
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A
INSTITUT DE RECHERCHE ET COORDINATION ACOUSTIQUE/MUSIQUE
Next to the Centre Pompidou in the Marais district in central Paris.
Academics
Click to OpenAcademics
This unique summer program takes place at the world-renowned Institut de Recherche et Coordination Acoustique/Musique (IRCAM). Founded in 1977, IRCAM is devoted to research and experimentation in music composition, acoustic performance, and technological modification of sound.
IRCAM conducts ground-breaking research in acoustic and computer technology. Promoting new works and new composers under the aegis of the Centre Pompidou, IRCAM also provides intensive instruction to a select handful of graduate students.
All classes in this program take place at IRCAM, and students have full access to all facilities, including the library and mediathèque, as well as all ManiFESTE activities. Students participate in three components:
- First Steps: An intensive two-week course focusing on the MAX/MSP music application that helps students create patch sound samples and voice modulation; Audiosculpt and OpenMusic are also introduced.
- Culture of Music Creation: Connect the art and critique of sound with concerts and events at the ManiFESTE festival at IRCAM.
- Académie: A two-week training to learn other IRCAM composition software and an exploration of how renowned visiting composers use it.
GPA
2.5
Language Prerequisites
There are no specific language requirements for this program.
Additional Requirements
- Completion of or proof of enrollment in an introductory level course in electronic music that touches on Max/MSP.
- Fluency in Macintosh OS X environments.
- Familiarity with a sequencer program such as Pro Tools or Logic Audio.
- Familiarity with a sound editor like Peak. A letter of motivation.
Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.
Program Requirements
All students must take MUSI 3001 CMCC: Contemporary Music Creation and Critique
Program Credit
Total credit: 4 U.S. semester/6 quarter credits
Course Credit
CIEE course: 4 U.S. semester/6 quarter credits; 76 contact hours
Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.
Academic Culture
MAX/MSP and overview classes blend theory and practice. Students are gathered in small groups for exercises and “patches” designed to bring together topics covered in sessions. With the simultaneous ManiFESTE and Académie concert series, and opportunities to interact with other composers, IRCAM provides a unique forum for new music composers.
Class Format
Most classes include only CIEE students. Master classes and some Académie classes include both CIEE students and other international students.
Grading
Students are graded based on composition exercises and a final evaluation for the composition software phases of the program. Written work in Culture and Critique of Composition section is averaged into composition exercises and final work.
Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.
Language of Instruction
English
Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.
Courses
Click to OpenCourse Information
Course Notes
All work completed during training sessions, program exercises, Académie, and IRCAM are required components of the program and factor into the final grade for the course.
Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to change as a result of ongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment.
"(GI)" denotes courses that originated at CIEE's Global Institutes and that are offered at multiple CIEE sites.
Scholarships
Click to OpenScholarships & Grants
CIEE offers scholarships and grants annually to help students like you make your study abroad dream a reality.
Students who apply to this program are eligible for the following scholarships and grants:
- Ping Scholarships for Academic Excellence
- Global Access Initiative (GAIN) Grants
- CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant
- CIEE Stem Scholarship
To be considered, submit the CIEE Scholarships & Grants application within your CIEE program application. Learn more at the Scholarships & Grants section of our website.
See more scholarship infoDates & Fees
Click to OpenDates & Fees
You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with CIEE, because our high-quality programs include everything from excursions to insurance. There are no hidden charges, and no disappointing surprises when you arrive.
What's Included
Click to OpenWhat's Included
Our Staff
Click to OpenOur Staff
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Jean-Philippe Primout
Center Director
Jean-Philippe joined CIEE in 2008 and served as Operations and Student Life Director before becoming the Center Director in 2019.
Get Started
Here's what you need to do to take the next steps:-
1
START AN APPLICATION
Apply Now
You're one step closer to an amazing study abroad experience! -
2
CONNECT WITH YOUR CAMPUS STUDY ABROAD OFFICE
Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad. -
3
Contact Us
Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.
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