In Lyon, a new string quartet class will open early December with the collaboration of the Conservatoire de Lyon (Conservatoire à Rayonnement Régional). The auditions took place November 7th 2011. Four quartets auditioned and two of them were chosen: the Varèse Quartet and the Quatuor opus 80.

The selected quartets will benefit from exceptional opportunities: seven sessions of two days during the year, participation in one final concert and invitations to two intensive academies/festivals.

• The Debussy Session: prelude of the Epau Festival from 16 to 20 May.

Those five days of intensive practice destined to five experienced quartets, students at the best musical institutions, or already preparing international competitions include two daily classes with the members of the Debussy Quartet and one concert per evening: an intensive program intended for young professionals!

• The Summer Academy, from 6 to 15 July, inseparable of the Festival “Cordes en Ballade”

During ten days, experienced young quartets as well as ensembles constituted for the occasion join the Debussy Quartet, thirsty for chamber music knowledge; everyone is welcome, aged 10 to 90.

Other quartets wishing to deepen their knowledge may still apply for participation in one or both of the academies separately, and without being part of the quartet program at the conservatory:

In résumé:

• Programme reserved for pre-formed quartets upon audition
• 2-year course, which 7 sessions each year of 1-2 days
• Invitation to two academy/workshops with the Quatuor Debussy

Debussy Quartet Courses 2011-2012 >>

The 13^th edition of the Cordes en Ballade Festival brightly ended with the students’ concert on July 17^th. This year, quartets of all levels and horizons immersed themselves completely in the festival’s atmosphere, learning to work together, deepening their chamber music knowledge Quartets. And of course everyone could attend concerts of the festival’s renowned guest artists such as Marielle Nordmann, Emmanuel Rossfelder, Laurent Stewart….

Emotion, sharing, and fun were the key words of this edition.

In the continuity of this desire of transmission, a string quartet class will open early January with the collaboration of the “Conservatoire de Lyon – CRR”. Important project to the Debussy Quartet, this new step will provide regular gatherings throughout the year.

Summing up the pedagogical activity of the Debussy Quartet, there will be three meetings this year :

14 excellent ensembles from France and Germany participated in the finals at the magnificent College des Bernadins in the center of Paris. The competition is co-organized by Aurélien Bernard (France) and Benedikt Strauss (Germany) with a team of enthusiastic volunteers, and offers non-monetary prizes of concerts, CDs, and workshops. 1^st prize was awarded to the duo Stephenson-Barbin, 2^nd prize to a piano quartet performing Dohnanyi’s Quartet in F-sharp minor, and 3^rd prize was awarded to a young German string trio which played Reger’s Trio op. 77b. The finals, presented as a formal concert, drew an exceptionally supportive full house, about 400 listeners. President of the jury, ECMTA Chairman Evan Rothstein was joined by pianist Simon Zaoui, clarinetist Franck Amet, violinists Eva and Emmanuel Hahn from the Arnon Quartet, and Veronique de Boisséson, musical artistic director for the College des Bernardins.

Program >>

The Fédération nationale des associations de parents d’élèves de conservatoires (FNAPEC) has announced the 2011 winners of its international chamber music competition Musique d’ensembles:

Read more >>

Thursday 7 
to 
Saturday 9 April 2011 
Paris

The Sforzando Competition is the European chamber music competition for universities, Grandes Ecoles and similar institutions of higher education. It is open to students playing to a high amateur standard who are members of ensembles comprising between two and five instruments. The competition seeks to demonstrate the frequently outstanding musical quality attained by these students, who are pursuing their studies in tandem with their shared passion for classical music. As an exception to the general regulations, the competition is also open to recent graduates. ECMTA is proud to be an official partner of the Concours Sforzando.

The official deadline was February 1, but it is still possible to submit applications. Applications and information: http://sforzando.fr/EN_Accueil.html

25e European Ensemble Competition, April 1st, 2nd and 3rd, 2011, 
organized by the National federation of Associations of Conservatory Parents (FNAPEC)
 Conservatoire à Rayonnement Régional de Paris, 14 rue de Madrid - 75008  Paris.

Open competition for all genres of music (classical, contemporary, jazz, traditional, etc). 2 to 15 musicians (not including conductor), and aged between 18-30 years.
One 20-minute performance in front of a jury, all groups to play consecutively. Free program selection, No compulsory piece. Grants from 1000 to 5000 € (depending on sponsor support).

Closing date for applications inscriptions: February 28th, 2011

E.mail : This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Site : http://www.fnapec.com

As part of the reflection on the creation of an undergraduate level, and parallel to the recent establishment of the course; orchestra as a career, the Conservatoire de Lyon in March 2010 launched a specialised training course in chamber music (initially for strings and piano).

This course is designed for string musicians or pianists grouped into fixed ensembles holding a diploma in specialist courses from conservatoires (or an equivalent), and having substantial experience in chamber music. The goal is to further the development of this discipline and help students be prepared for further training towards a professional career.