Master’s degree

Music: Research and Ensemble Practices (MRPE)

This program is intended for students who wish to combine a high-level performance track / musician program with musicological research. It is offered by the University of Poitiers, in partnership with the pôle Aliénor, the Abbaye aux Dames in Saintes, and the University of Tours.
To apply, an admission form must be submitted between February 25 and March 24, 2025, via the Mon Master platform. Please refer to “Application Instructions”(in French) for details.

Objectives

  • Closely combine musicological research with instrumental practice
  • Prepare students for professional integration in the music field

The academic component of the program is provided by the Department of Musicology and the Interdisciplinary Research Centre for History, Arts, and Musicology (CRIHAM), as part of the research master’s program “Civilization, History, Heritage” at the University of Poitiers, Faculty of Humanities and Arts. http://sha.univ-poitiers.fr

The courses include seminars, lectures, and individual supervision. University courses are delivered by faculty researchers from the Department of Musicology and invited researchers.

Artistic practice at the pôle Aliénor

  • Performer training
  • Ensemble practices
  • Instrumental practice with pĂ´le AliĂ©nor’s teachers and guest artists, depending on the students’ projects

Professional experience in collaboration with the pôle Aliénor’s partners

  • Projects, concerts, performances
  • Cultural mediation
  • Professional development: communication, legal and social aspects, recording, etc.

See the detailed program description in the “Documents” tab.

Research at the university

  • Study of theoretical writings
  • Methodology (digital resources, repertoire analysis, organology, etc.)
  • Training in critical edition
  • Research thesis

Courses are taught within the Department of Music and Musicology by faculty researchers from the Interdisciplinary Research Centre for History, Arts, and Musicology (CRIHAM, EA 4270) of the Faculty of Humanities and Arts, as well as by guest researchers.

The program prepares students for a variety of careers and supports them in developing a personal musical and artistic approach that considers current developments of artistic fields.

  • Close integration of musicological research with instrumental or vocal practices
  • In-depth study of major repertoires
  • Professional integration
  • International dimension (Erasmus)

This program is open to all instrumentalists and singers.

Two-year program offered by the University of Poitiers, in partnership with the pôle Aliénor and the Abbaye aux Dames in Saintes. This partnership reflects the ambition to combine a high-level performance path with academic research.

The program leads to an academic Master’s degree awarded by the University of Poitiers:

  • Degree: Master’s
  • Field: Humanities and Social Sciences
  • Major: Musicology
  • Path: Music: Research and Ensemble Practices

Fields of study

  • Early music (in collaboration with the pĂ´le AliĂ©nor): all instruments and voice

This master’s program is also open to the following field of study:
– Classical and Romantic Orchestra (in collaboration with the Abbaye aux Dames in Saintes)

Note: The information provided here concerns only the field of study related to the University / pĂ´le AliĂ©nor partnership. For the “Classical and Romantic Orchestra” track, please refer to the website of the Abbaye aux Dames – CitĂ© Musicale in Saintes: http://www.abbayeauxdames.org/jeune-orchestre-de-labbaye/

Claire Michon, program coordinator

*Guest teachers

University courses are taught by faculty researchers from the Universities of Poitiers and Tours, as well as guest researchers.
For more information, visit the MRPE Master’s website: http://sha.univ-poitiers.fr/master-musicologie/

Admission requirements and calendar

Applicants must complete an application on the Mon Master platform between February 25 and March 24, 2025. Please include your musical program and send it by email to the pôle Aliénor at: enseignement.superieur@poealienor.eu
Refer to the “Application Instructions” (in French) for more information.

The specialization “Music: Research and Ensemble Practices” is a research-oriented master’s program structured over two years.

Admission to the first year (Master 1) is through a competitive selection process.

Applicants must meet one of the following requirements:

  • Hold a Professional musician bachelor’s diploma (DNSPM) and a bachelor’s degree in music and/or Musicology
  • Hold a Performer’s Bachelor’s degree (from a foreign institution)
  • Hold a Pedagogical bachelor’s in music teaching diploma (DE) and a bachelor’s degree in music and/or Musicology

Eligibility committee

Applicants who do not meet the above requirements may request an exemption, which will be reviewed by a dedicated committee. In such cases, it is especially important to clearly detail and justify all aspects of the applicant’s education and experience.

For all instrumental and vocal disciplines, the entrance exams will take place in person in Poitiers between April 14 and April 30, 2025. All applicants must submit their performance program by email no later than March 26, 2025. Applicants selected for the audition will receive an official invitation by email no later than April 4, 2025.

The entrance exam consists of the following components for all candidates:

  • Performance exam

A 30-minute program including at least three pieces or excerpts from early music repertoires.
The list may include ensemble works of up to five performers (quintet maximum). During the audition, the jury will select approximately 20 minutes from this program to be performed.
Candidates are encouraged, where possible, to include a piece by a female composer in their program. You may consult the database “Que demander Ă  Clara” for reference.

  • Supplementary exam

Performance of an ensemble piece (duration: 5 to 10 minutes). This piece may be performed live, or submitted as a high-quality DVD recording, which must be included in the application file.

  •  Interview

Approximately 15 minutes, covering the performed program, the candidate’s professional goals, study conditions, and motivation for research.

IMPORTANT
Candidates must provide two sets of scores, including accompaniment parts, for the jury.
The entrance exams are not open to the public.

For the 2025/2026 academic year, the program will be open to candidates who have paid a registration fee of €290 per chosen program.

Candidates wishing to apply for a scholarship and/or student housing must do so online before May 31, 2025 via the following website: https://messervices.etudiant.gouv.fr/ 
Note: This application is made through the Student Social File (Dossier Social Étudiant – DSE) and must be submitted even before receiving your entrance exam results. You may submit multiple choices. For an application under the pĂ´le AliĂ©nor, follow these steps: → Select “AcadĂ©mie de Poitiers” → Tick “Formation Ă©cole arts et archi (DNAT)” → Click on the institution pĂ´le AliĂ©nor