After 20 years of existence, we are proud and happy to see that the CMDL has taken an important place in the landscape of French and European music higher education. The work we did with Didier paid off. Indeed, we meet regularly in the various venues (festivals, concerts, clubs...) musicians having belonged to the big family of CMDL, a large majority of them have become true professionals. Our mission is to continue the work begun with our friend Didier; this would have been his dearest wish, since he was so committed to sharing and transmitting.
During his 44 years of career and 4,000 concerts around the world, Didier Lockwood, now deceased, has met and crossed his bow with the greatest musicians of international jazz. Jazz violinist with a unique personality, he shared and transmitted his art of improvisation within the CMDL. In his memory, the CMDL team invests all its energy to ensure that the school continues and develops.
This school is thought of as a friendly and family place. Each year, the promotion counts about sixty students, selected for their artistic potential, their motivations and their ability to progress. Classes of instruments host between 8 and 10 students and allow teachers to maintain a special relationship with them. Beyond the theoretical and technical lessons of music, the pedagogies put in place focus on revealing the musical identity and the creative potential of each musician.
Between creation, album releases, scenes and tours, the members of the teaching team share in the CMDL the fruit of their experiences with the new generations of musicians. Beyond the traditional role of the teacher, the musicians-pedagogues accompany the students towards the professional life.
Over a year, the CMDL invites more than 80 speakers to complete its team of 10 referent teachers. The external speaker then brings own approach according to his path and his sensitivity. In addition the CMDL offers stylistic workshops with expert musicians for an exploration of different musical styles and organizes master-classes with the greatest international musicians.
The CMDL offers students an ultimate development in the field of contemporary and improvised music. Since the start of the 2011 academic year, thanks to the partnerships established with Paris Boulogne Billancourt and the University of Evry Val d’Essonne, CMDL is the only private institution in France authorised to provide graduate training leading to recognized higher diplomas (National Higher Professional Diploma of Musician, Bachelor of Music and Performing Arts and Master of Musicology Contemporary Music Engineering).
From Bac+2 to Bac+5, CMDL offers a complete training offer, which will suit all artists in the making.
The CMDL is committed to supporting its students towards professional life. For this, he offers them about forty paid concerts a year, thanks to partnerships established with jazz clubs, cultural centers, festivals …
In addition, the CMDL organize annual events, Big Band’s concerts and concerts at the end of the semester and at the end of the year. Moreover specific lessons are given to future musicians, such as “professional environment”, “recording”, “studio” … The CMDL’s team helps them to set up their projects thanks to advice and methodological resources (administration, production, communication;
The CMDL thanks its educational, institutional, music, civil service partners and federations for their trust and support. Thanks to them, the school can implement and develop its activities every year.