Paris
Paris, France

Summer Contemporary Music Creation + Critique

Study Program

Tentative Dates

-

4 weeks

Costs

Credit

4 semester hours

6 quarter hours

Eligibility

Application Deadline

Request Information

Dates

-

4 weeks

Costs

Credit

4 semester hours

6 quarter hours

Eligibility

Application Deadline

The application deadline has passed.

Request Information

Overview

Your Summer Contemporary Music Creation + Critique program in Paris lasts 4 weeks and is designed for students with a passion for music composition. You will enroll in courses at the host institution,  Institut de Recherche et Coordination Acoustique/Musique鈥(IRCAM). Enhance your experience with extracurricular activities while immersing yourself in French culture. Live and learn in Paris!

Unique Experiences

Learn from and collaborate

with IRCAM students, composers, researchers, scholars, and visiting performers

Master cutting-edge electronic composition software

then enjoy a year of access to IRCAM's software database back home

Connect with celebrated artists

and composers at the IRCAM ManiFESTE music festival

Experience
  • High school students posing with statue at Paris museum

The Destination

Paris is France鈥檚 cosmopolitan capital, offering an inspiring setting for students passionate about music and the arts. With its rich cultural history, legendary concert halls, cutting-edge music venues, and thriving creative scene, the city provides endless inspiration for musical exploration and critical thinking. Whether you're composing, performing, or analyzing sound and society, Paris is the perfect place to study abroad.

paris-students-boat-eiffel-tower

Program Highlights

  • Academic Course: Take courses delivered in-person at the host institution, IRCAM.
  • Immersive Experiences: Participate in activities, excursions, study tours, and more that showcase your host city's culture, values, and local art, film, music, cuisine, and sports scenes.
Paris

Excursions & Activities

精东传媒鈥檚 excursions and cultural activities in Paris will open doors for you to explore France's rich diversity, language, culture, history, and timeless beauty in ways that will enhance your time abroad.  

Samples of past excursions and activities: 

  • Learn the nuances of the City of Lights through a guided walk of Paris
  • Savor time in the studio, patching, sound sculpting, composing, and more
  • Attend concerts, conferences, exhibitions, and happenings around multimedia and new music technology and composition

Please note: Activities are based on past programs and subject to change at 精东传媒's discretion to adapt to local circumstances and participant feedback. Our goal when arranging activities is always to enhance your experience.鈥  

Program Blogs

From 精东传媒

Food in France

By College Study Abroad Ambassador at 精东传媒

By: Coltrane McRae One thing about me is that I love food. I鈥檓 always up for any meal and excited about trying new foods from different cultures. It is a... keep reading

From 精东传媒

A Guide to Paris Museums for Art History Lovers

By College Study Abroad Ambassador at 精东传媒

By: Xinpeng Huang Paris is heaven for art history students. It offers unparalleled access to world-renowned collections that span centuries and styles. Museums in Paris are more than repositories of... keep reading

From 精东传媒

A Weekend in Normandie and Caen with 精东传媒 Paris

By College Study Abroad Ambassador at 精东传媒

By: Noelani Stewart During my time abroad in Paris with 精东传媒, I had the chance to go on a weekend trip to Normandie and Caen. This experience offered a fascinating... keep reading

What Students are Saying

  • "Fun and exciting course, plenty of time to experience the location while balancing school."

    Thomas M., Texas Christian University

Housing
Academics

Academics

精东传媒 Paris: Study in Paris' 12th arrondissement at the foot of subway line #1 near grocery stores, organic supermarkets, caf茅s, bakeries, and famous landmarks. 精东传媒 Paris features a main classroom, a student lounge, a study space, and an academic advising office.

Institut de Recherche et Coordination Acoustique/Musique鈥(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.

GPA

2.5

Language Requirements

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 sequencer programs such as Pro Tools or Logic Audio.
  • Familiarity with a sound editor like Peak. 
  • A letter explaining the student鈥檚 motivations in participating in the program. 

Please refer to the detailed Program Essential Eligibility Criteria.

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for 精东传媒 courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and 精东传媒 staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

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

精东传媒 course: 4 U.S. semester/6 quarter credits; 76 contact hours 

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for 精东传媒 courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and 精东传媒 staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Academic Culture

MAX/MSP and overview classes blend theory and practice. Students are gathered in small groups for exercises and 鈥減atches鈥 designed to bring together topics covered in sessions. With the simultaneous ManiFeste and Acad茅mie concert series, and opportunities to interact with other composers, IRCAM provides a unique forum for new music composers. 

Class Format

Most classes include only 精东传媒 students. Master classes and some Acad茅mie classes include both 精东传媒 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 精东传媒 courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and 精东传媒 staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Language of Instruction

English

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for 精东传媒 courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and 精东传媒 staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Courses

Course Information

All work completed during training sessions, program exercises, Acad茅mie, and IRCAM are required components of the program and factor into the final grade for the course.

Summer 2025

Course
Language
Semester Credit
English
4

Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between 精东传媒 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 精东传媒's Global Institutes and that are offered at multiple 精东传媒 sites.

Scholarships

Scholarships & Grants

精东传媒 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
  • 精东传媒 Gilman Go Global Grant
  • MSI Grant
  • 精东传媒 STEM Scholarship

To be considered, submit the 精东传媒 Scholarships & Grants application within your 精东传媒 program application.

Learn more about scholarships

Dates & Fees

Dates & Fees

You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with 精东传媒, because our high-quality programs include everything from excursions to insurance. There are no hidden charges, and no disappointing surprises when you arrive.

Program

Application Due

Start Date

End Date

Fees & Housing

Program Summer 2026 4 weeks Start Date * End Date * Fees & Housing $6,750
Program Summer 2025 4 weeks Application Due Deadline Passed Start Date End Date Fees & Housing $6,650

*Dates for this program are provided as tentative dates. Please consult with your study abroad advisor to confirm dates before purchasing your flights.

To help you budget, keep in mind that students are responsible for the cost of international airfare, local transportation, books and supplies, visas, and personal expenses. In addition, ask your college or university study abroad advisor if your school charges additional fees for study abroad.

Program Fees

精东传媒 offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and 精东传媒 iNext travel protection with benefits.

Participation Confirmation $300 *
Educational Costs $4,330 **
Housing $1,920 ***
Insurance $200
Total Fees $6,750

Financial Aid

精东传媒 offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.

See Scholarships

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

*non-refundable

**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students

***Housing fees listed are for financial aid purposes only and should not be considered a basis for calculation of refunds.

Program Fees

精东传媒 offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and 精东传媒 iNext travel protection with benefits.

Participation Confirmation $300 *
Educational Costs $4,230 **
Housing $1,920 ***
Insurance $200
Total Fees $6,650

Optional Housing

精东传媒 accommodation options are detailed in the Housing section. Based on availability, Select or Select Plus Housing can be chosen during the application process for an additional fee. Housing is assigned on a first-come, first-served basis; however, other factors may also be considered.

Select Housing Fee $400
Select Plus Housing Fee $600

Financial Aid

精东传媒 offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.

See Scholarships

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

Meals not included in program fee $432
International Airfare $1,250
Local Transportation $100
Books & Supplies $50
Personal expenses $150 鈥犫赌
Total Costs $1,982

*non-refundable

**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students

***Housing fees listed are for financial aid purposes only and should not be considered a basis for calculation of refunds.

For students in homestays, families provide breakfast and 5 meals a week. For students in residence halls/apartments, you should budget approx. $388 per month for groceries if you plan on making your own meals, and more if you plan on eating out regularly.

鈥犫赌$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense + toiletries

What's Included

Tuition

Housing

Pre-departure Advising

Advising before you depart to set goals and answer questions

Optional on-site airport meet-and-greet

Orientation

Introduction to your program plus practical information about living in your host city

On-site Staff

Full-time program leadership and support in your city

Cultural and/or Co-curricular Activities

Excursions and/or Study Tours

Travel Protection

精东传媒 iNext travel protection

24/7 emergency on-site support

Staff

Our Staff

Delphine Mauny

Center Director

A born-and-bred Parisian, Delphine has extensive experience in international education, having worked with American high school students, college students, and adults traveling to France.

Franck Le Gac

Academic Director

Franck oversees the coordination, quality, and planning of all courses and educational programing in Paris. He is responsible for faculty staffing, finalization of syllabi, the course evaluation process, and program...

Linda Ponte

Student Life Manager

With a background in intercultural communication, Linda is a key contact for students and helps participants discover and understand the French culture.

Get Started Steps

Get Started

Here鈥檚 what you need to do to take the next steps:

1

Start an Application

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.

Request Info