Conservatoire de Lausanne

The Conservatoire de Lausanne is a Swiss music school founded in 1861, making it one of the oldest music institutions in Europe. Located in central Lausanne, it serves approximately 1,200 students ranging from young children to young adults. The institution shares its facilities with the Haute Ecole de Musique de Lausanne (HEMU), which offers accredited bachelor's and master's degrees for aspiring professional musicians. The conservatory is recognized by the Fondation pour l'Enseignement de la Musique (FEM) and operates under the Canton of Vaud music school law.

Programs and Structure

The Conservatoire de Lausanne offers programs across multiple levels and disciplines:

• Instrumental and Vocal Training: Individual instruction on all standard orchestral instruments, piano, voice, and guitar. Students begin as early as age 6 and progress through graded levels.
• Music Theory (Solfège): Weekly theory courses integrated with instrumental study, covering levels 1 through 8 plus an advanced theory program.
• Ensembles and Orchestras: Available from age 7, including wind ensembles, accordion orchestra, and choral directing. Students participate in concerts and performances throughout the year.
• Musique-école: A specialized program for talented students, combining compulsory schooling with intensive musical training through a modified academic schedule.
• Pre-HEM: A preparatory program for students intending to pursue professional music studies at HEMU or other higher education institutions. This program is run in collaboration with HEMU.
• Conducting and Continuing Education: Specialized courses for adults in choral conducting, wind ensemble conducting, and accordion orchestra conducting, available from age 16.

The associated HEMU offers bachelor's and master's degrees in two divisions: Classical and Jazz. The jazz department, launched in 2006, is the only one of its kind in French-speaking Switzerland. HEMU degrees are accredited by the Swiss government and the University of Applied Sciences Western Switzerland (HES-SO). HEMU is a member of the European Association of Conservatoires.

Tuition and Admissions

Tuition rates for the 2026-27 academic year are published on the Conservatoire de Lausanne fees page. As a public institution under Canton of Vaud law, fees are structured to remain accessible to local residents.

Admission requires an entrance test for most instruments due to high demand. Once admitted, students join a class with peers of varying levels and ages, fostering collaborative learning. The curriculum includes individual instrument or voice lessons, weekly theory courses, and ensemble participation.

Students who demonstrate exceptional ability can join the Musique-école program for intensive training, or transition to the Pre-HEM pathway for professional preparation. Studies culminate in a certificate or attestation documenting achievements in instrumental or vocal practice and theory.

For HEMU degree programs, admission is through competitive audition with specific repertoire requirements. HEMU had approximately 300 classical and 60 jazz students enrolled as of recent data. Visit the HEMU website for degree program admission details.

Notable Alumni and Faculty

The Conservatoire de Lausanne and HEMU have trained musicians who perform in Swiss and European orchestras, teach in music schools across the region, and pursue solo careers. In March 2026, a Conservatoire de Lausanne student was admitted to the Juilliard School summer program, highlighting the institution's ability to prepare students for elite international opportunities.

The current director of HEMU is Herve Klopfenstein. The faculty includes active performers and educators across classical and jazz disciplines. The institution's jazz department, unique in French-speaking Switzerland, has attracted students from across the region since its founding in 2006.

Why It Matters for Aspiring Musicians

The Conservatoire de Lausanne provides a structured pathway from early musical education through professional training. Students can begin at age 6 and progress to pre-professional preparation without leaving the institution. The shared facilities with HEMU mean students have access to professional-level infrastructure and faculty from the start.

For Swiss residents, the conservatory offers affordable, high-quality music education with a recognized curriculum. The FEM-recognized program ensures that certificates and attestations are portable across Swiss music schools. International students interested in HEMU degree programs benefit from Swiss accreditation and the school's membership in the European Association of Conservatoires.

The jazz program at HEMU deserves particular attention. As the only jazz department in French-speaking Switzerland, it offers specialized training that would otherwise require relocating to German-speaking Switzerland or neighboring France. Prospective jazz students should audition well in advance, as the program has limited enrollment.

Visit the Conservatoire de Lausanne website for enrollment information, audition dates, and current fee schedules. You can also compare programs in our music schools directory or read our guide on how to learn music theory without formal training.

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