The Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) in Contemporary Repertoire Conducting is a continuing education specialization (post-diploma degree) aimed at musicians who intend to study the conducting technique, theory and performance practice of the repertoire from the XX and XXI centuries.
The course is held by Arturo Tamayo.
Applications deadline: June 30
The course lasts 1 year (2 semesters) and takes place from October to May in 8 sessions from Friday to Sunday.
Each session includes both the theoretical and analytical study of the repertoire and the ensembles conducting. The ensemble consists of musicians specialized in contemporary music and the Ensemble900, a group formed by the best students of the University of Music. The Ensemble900 is the ensemble in residence of the contemporary music season 900presente, co-produced by the Conservatorio della Svizzera italiana and the RSI, Radiotelevisione svizzera di lingua italiana.
The course leads to the acquisition of 10 ECTS, divided as follows:
Admission is conditional on:
A maximum of 6 students per year are admitted to the course.
The course costs CHF 5’200, that correspond to the following fees:
Session I: 10-12 October 2025
Session II: 21-23 November 2025
Session III: 12-14 December 2025
Session IV: 16-18 January 2026
Session V: 13-15 February 2026
Session VI: 20-22 March 2026
Session VII: 24-26 April 2026
Exam Session: 29-31 May 2026*
(details may change)
Fridays: 18:00-21:00
Saturday and Sundays: schedule to be defined according to the number of applications
Minimum podium time: 45 minutes
* schedule details will be confirmed during the academic year
Session I
Luciano Berio, O King
Preliminary theoretical session by Arturo Tamayo, score preparation for the following sessions
Session II
Claude Debussy, Jeux (2 pianos)
Session III
Bela Bartók, Divertimento for strings
Session IV
Igor Stravinsky, Le sacre du printemps (2 pianos)
Session V
Arnold Schönberg, Pierrot lunaire
Session VI
Pierre Boulez, Le marteau sans maître
Session VII
György Ligeti, Kammerkonzert for 13 instruments
Session VIII
Exam, repertoire to be defined
The programme may be subject to change
1) Admission procedure - by June 30
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 2 video recordings (good quality and possibly shot frontally) - at least one with a repertoire of the XX-XXI century - for a total duration of at least 15 minutes.
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 year. 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.
- CAS in Contemporary Repertoire Conducting
Deadline: 30 June 2025
- CAS for Collaborative Pianist
Deadline: 31 July 2025
- CAS in Concert Improvisation
Dealine: 31 July 2025
- CAS in Marketing e Comunicazione
Deadline: 20 August 2025
