The Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) in Concert Improvisation is a continuing education specialization (post-diploma degree) aimed at musicians of keyboard instruments who intend to develop spontaneous composing, including its performance in public concert.
Admission is conditional on:
A maximum of 6 students per year are admitted to the course.
The programme costs CHF 5’000, that correspond to the following fees:
The course is structured in 8 sessions that usually take place during the weekend, between October and June.
Each session includes:
Attendance at the seminar 'Career Development for Musicians' is planned.
The course leads to the acquisition of 20 ECTS, divided as follows:
Calendar 2024-25:
1) Admission procedure - by July 31
a) Fill in the online application form by following this LINK
b) Upload the required documents to the applications portal:
1) Copy of ID or passport;
2) Copy of study qualifications;
3) Curriculum vitae;
4) Motivation letter;
5) Web-link (only Youtube or Vimeo) to a recent video recording of a live performance.
The University of Music reserves the right to invite candidates to audition live at the Conservatorio della Svizzera italiana in Lugano. Late applications can only be exceptionally accepted if places are available. Incomplete dossiers will not be taken into consideration. The University of Music may ask for further documents (e.g. translations or certificates), should it find any of the documents in the application dossier to be lacking in clarity or comprehensibility, with particular attention to the diplomas.
Access to the applications portal is possible in one of the following ways:
2) Enrolment
Candidates who are considered eligible will receive a letter of admission and a registration confirmation form by email. This form must be signed and returned both by email (to servizi.accademici@conservatorio.ch) and by post to the Segreteria didattica as instructed in the letter of admission.
Once the letter of confirmation of enrolment has been signed, the candidate is officially enrolled at the University of Music of the Conservatorio della Svizzera italiana for the first semester. Withdrawal from studies will only be possible from the second semester on. Even in the case the student doesn’t attend any lesson at the Conservatorio, all fees for the first semester will have to be paid.
At the end of their studies, participants will obtain the title on condition that they:
The University of Music of the Conservatorio della Svizzera italiana is a state-recognised university school and is affiliated to the University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI). The titles that it awards are recognised by the Federal Government according to the law (HEdA - September 30, 2011).
This title is not a professional qualification and does not qualify holders to teach in public schools in Switzerland.
The course is subject to the current Regulations of Studies of the University of Music. The University of Music reserves the right not to activate the course if the necessary conditions are not met.
Extension of the duration of studies: if their main instrument teachers agree, students can submit to the Head of Continuing Education a request of extension of the duration of studies for a maximum of 2 semesters (no semester splits are allowed). If the request is accepted, the University of music will invoice students the respected administrative fees and semester fees. The final exam fee is in any case invoiced only once at the end of the second year.
Repetition of the final exam: if students do not sit the final exam, or do not pass it successfully, they can ask to repeat it in a later session. Exam sessions are normally scheduled every six months. Students can request to postpone the final exam for one or a maximum of two consecutive semesters. For each postponed semester the University of Music will invoice students only the administrative fee.
Suspension of studies: in exceptional cases, and with the authorization of the Head of Continuing Education, students may request to temporarily suspend their studies for one or a maximum of two consecutive semesters. For each semester of suspension, the University of Music will invoice students only the administrative fee. The suspension request must be sent (by certified mail) to the Segreteria didattica, according to the deadlines listed below.
Withdrawal of studies: if students decide to withdraw from their studies, their request must be sent (by certified mail) the Segreteria didattica, according to the deadlines listed below.
Deadlines: suspension or withdrawal deadlines are:
If the deadline is not respected, students will be invoiced for all fees of the following semester.
