Study courses

Studies at the School are centered on the practice of Gregorian chant; the theoretical disciplines taught are only there to help students become familiar with it and make it their own. We believe that Gregorian chant should be learned as a language: the knowledge of its "vocabulary" grows with practice, and in turn enriches the student's musical and spiritual expression.

To this end, we encourage our students to memorize at least one piece per week - by working on them with an instructor. In group lessons in choir, the students learn the repertory of the Mass (selected from the liturgical year) and the Office (principally from Holy Week). The classes in the  Psalmody "open the ear" to Gregorian tones and help students understand the modality of the chant. Choir direction classes help students to acquire the gestures required to lead a choir and communicate a musical interpretation.

Theoretical courses complete the training: Latin, (translation of sung texts); semiology, paleography and the study of liturgical books to learn about the musical notations of ancient manuscripts and to orient oneself in the written sources of Gregorian chant. Finally, thehistory of the liturgy helps lay the foundations in this vast field.

The School organizes graduate and personalized post-graduate courses.         

Courses run from September to June, according to the school calendar. The weekly course load is twelve hours. The course of study is usually completed in 2 to 3 years (depending on the personalization of the weekly load).

To obtain the Diploma of the School of the Gregorian Choir of Paris, students must follow our full curriculum (unless exempted) and sit the annual exams and diploma tests before a jury. 

As our students are often enrolled in other higher education establishments or have a professional activity, the School tries to adapt its timetable as much as possible.  

We therefore accept students as "free auditors” who enroll in courses of their choice: at least one of the group courses and the "par cœur" course. An auditor-libre who has completed and passed the examination in the chosen disciplines will be awarded the Certificate of Studies.