"Music, Production, Performance" (M2P) Master

In partnership with the University of Evry Paris-Saclay

The Master’s degree in Music, Production, and Performance proposed by the CMDL allows students to:

  • Develop a working method that enables them to master instrumental technique and acquire a real artistic dimension.
  • Develop their individual creativity and personal projects.
  • Acquire a knowledge of jazz culture and the styles that have emerged from it by consolidating rhythmic, harmonic, and melodic concepts (improvisation, interpretation).
  • Become autonomous and able to adapt to all professional situations.

The program leads to two degrees:

 
Master’s Degree in Music, Production, and Performance (Level 7 or bac+5)
Master’s students pursue their studies at the CMDL and the University of Évry-Paris Saclay to obtain their Master’s degree. They thus acquire a higher university level of knowledge and skills in jazz and improvised music. They strengthen their general culture and their mastery of information and communication technologies.
 
The CMDL Diploma
The Didier Lockwood Music Center awards the CMDL diploma to students who have obtained an overall grade of 70% or higher in their exams. It certifies a high level of mastery in jazz and improvised music.
 

Please note that it is also necessary to register on the University’s website:

See below the steps to take concerning the University of Evry-Paris Saclay.

 

The program runs for two consecutive academic years (from September to June), each lasting 30 calendar weeks, divided into four semesters.

MASTER’s students are enrolled at two institutions:

the CMDL, where they receive almost all of their teaching, three days a week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday).

  • the University of Évry-Paris Saclay, where they take classes one day per week (Wednesday) to obtain their EPM master’s degree.

Course content:

The overall content of the program is evenly divided between practical, theoretical, cultural, and methodological instruction, organized as follows:

At the CMDL – 3 days a week

Instrument, improvisation / Ear training / Rhythm / Harmony / Writing, composition, and arrangement / Jazz ensemble repertoire / Original repertoire ensemble / “Aesthetic” repertoire ensemble / Big band / Sound engineering – sound systems / Studio / History of jazz / Knowledge of the professional environment / Master classes / Concerts / …

At the University of Evry-Paris Saclay – 1 day per week (Wednesday)

English and two musicology courses.

For details of the curriculum, please refer to the information pack.

ADMISSION TESTS

The successful candidate is invited to attend the admission test on the date and at the time that will be posted on the website at least 15 days in advance.  The candidate must arrive for the test 15 minutes before the scheduled time. Failure to attend the admission test will result in disqualification.

Written tests

  • Harmony test
  • Writing test
  • Dictation (melodic line and chords). A tuning fork is recommended for this test.

These tests will be used to evaluate the candidates. They are not eliminatory.

Practical tests

Performance of an instrumental program consisting of:

  • 1 piece of the candidate’s choice from among the 2 works proposed by the jury.

These works may be pieces from the repertoire, original compositions, or arrangements of pieces from the repertoire. The complete scores of the two works for the rhythm section (double bass, drums, and piano, and a score for the jury) must be included with the application. They must not exceed two pages (each) and must be written using music software.

  • One piece chosen by the jury from the list of 10 set pieces.  Candidates must know all of the pieces. They will be asked to perform one of them without sheet music.

Candidates will be accompanied exclusively by CMDL accompanists. The accompanists will not rehearse with the candidates. The total duration of the program must not exceed 12 minutes. The jury will

An interview with the jury, focusing in particular on the study project

list of assigned themes

Ask me know (Thelonious Monk)

Belharra (Jean Marie Ecay)

In love in vain (Jérôme Kern)

Lotus Blossom ( Kenny Dorham)

Ode to Saint-Cecilia (Mary-Lou Williams)

Ralph’s piano Waltz (John Abercrombie)

Speak no Evil (Wayne Shorter)

Till there was you (Meredith Wilson)

TGV (Louis Winsberg)

You’d be so nice to come home to (Cole Porter)

 

Download music scores HERE

List of documents to provide

FOR EVERY CANDIDATE
  • 1 passport photo
  • 1 copy of both sides of your ID
  • 1 cover letter
  • 1 resume
  • Links to view your video recordings (minimum as a trio): your interpretation of one of the ten set themes and a piece of your choice.
  • The scores for the two free pieces, for the rhythm section (double bass, drums, and piano, and two scores for the jury), written using music notation software (maximum two pages per piece).
  • You will be asked to make a single online payment of €70 to cover the application fee.
  • A certificate of enrollment from your institution for the current year, if you are expected to obtain your bachelor’s degree (or equivalent diploma) this year.
  • A copy of your bachelor’s degree or equivalent diploma.
  • A copy of your bachelor’s degree or equivalent diploma transcript.
  • A copy of your most recent transcript, if you are currently enrolled in higher education.
  • A copy of your diploma or most recent transcript, if you have previously completed higher education.
  • A copy of your DEM Jazz or DNOP Jazz diploma.
  • A certificate of enrollment from your institution with details of the courses taken, if you are currently studying for a DEM Jazz or other music qualification.
  • A copy of the certificate of completion or enrollment for any other previous music training.
  • 1 copy of the foreign higher education entrance qualification (with translation)
  • 1 copy of the foreign higher education diploma (with translation)
  • 1 copy of the diploma or certificate for any foreign music qualification (with translation)

Procedures to follow at the University of Evry Paris-Saclay

STUDENTS WITH A BACHELOR'S DEGREE FROM EUROPE (INCLUDING FRANCE)

February 26 to March 24, 2026 (dates to be confirmed)

  • High school grades + L1, 2 + L3S1
  • Details of the program completed (list and explanation of courses): provided by the registrar’s office
  • CV
  • Cover letter
  • Research proposal: research thesis project (1 to 3 pages)
  • For applicants whose native language is not French, a B2 level is required.

To apply for the Master M2P entrance exam for initial training, candidates must:

 

  • Hold a national diploma in professional music education (DNOP) in JAZZ or a diploma in music studies (DEM) in JAZZ.*
  • Hold a bachelor’s degree in musicology or another discipline (subject to a musicological assessment) or a foreign diploma accepted as an exemption or equivalent.*
  • Be no older than 26 (as of December 31 of the academic year)
  • Not have interrupted their studies for more than two years.

*EXCEPTIONS MAY BE MADE; please indicate this on your online application form.

The annual cost of training (initial training) is broken down as follows:

  • €4,600 for enrollment at the CMDL
  • +/- €250 for enrollment at the University of Evry – Paris Saclay
  • +/- €105 for CVEC (Contribution de Vie Étudiante et de Campus, or Student and Campus Life Contribution)

This comes to approximately €4,955 per year.

If you have limited resources, you may be eligible for a grant to help finance your studies.

Grants based on social criteria (BCS)
Aid is awarded based on three criteria: household income, the number of dependent children in the family, and distance from the place of study. For more information, simulations, and BCS scholarship applications, visit etudiant.gouv.fr Don’t wait for the exam results to assess your eligibility for a scholarship!

Emergency aid
The national emergency aid fund provides a rapid response to students in precarious situations. There are two types of specific aid: one-off aid for students experiencing temporary serious difficulties, or annual aid for students experiencing long-term difficulties.

For more information, visit etudiant.gouv.fr

registration periods

Registration begins : december 10, 2025

Registration closes on “monmaster.gouv”: March 16, 2026

DAP (for non-European foreigners): December 15, 2025

Test eligibility results: Mach 23, 2026

Auditions : April 16-17 and May 6-7, 2026

Results : June 5, 2026

Information package

Registration form

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