Organ

United by strong bonds on a human and artistic level, they offer their students a number of events that bring the 2 classes together for joint classes, visits to showcase instruments, performances and seminars. Acclaimed international figures are also regularly invited here, to put on Masterclasses.

Our students receive cutting-edge teaching on a wide range of organ literature from every era. Besides the main subject, additional classes enable them to acquire extensive knowledge of every aspect of the profession: chamber music around the organ, improvisation in different styles, basso continuo, sight-reading, lessons around the harmonium and the cinema organ, organ-making, etc.

The HEM maintains close ties with the musical institutions and events in French-speaking Switzerland, and particularly with the region’s temples and churches. Our students therefore have numerous opportunities to play and to engage before varied audiences, in particular for liturgical services. The final Master’s exams take the form of a public recital in the prestigious setting of the Organ Hours held at St Peter’s Cathedral in Geneva.  

A rich inventory of instruments

The students in the organ class have access to a varied inventory of high-quality instruments. The canton of Geneva alone has more than 120 organs.  The classes are therefore conducted on Genevan instruments with varied styles and an abundance of possibilities. Notable examples are the Metzler 1965 and the Walcker 1888 at Geneva Cathedral, the Aubertin 2014 at the Auditoire Calvin, the Wurlitzer 1937 cinema organ at Claparède College, the Baud-Merklin-Tschanun-Kuhn at the Sainte-Croix Church in Carouge, etc. On the premises of the HEM, our students have the benefit of an organ room furnished with several complementary instruments (mechanical organ, harmonium, pedal-piano, etc.).