Electroacoustical center

In 2006 the HEM set up a ‘centre of excellence’ for composition, electroacoustics and computer music to tackle the problems of sharing and transferring knowledge between new and traditional composition techniques. The centre provides high-level training for students of composition and instrumentalists who want to become familiar with the new technologies, and works together with other departments of the university and other institutions such as the Geneva School of Art and Design (HEAD Geneva). Numerous personalities from the music world give master classes there every year.

Besides its teaching activities, the centre also aims to become a key international centre of creation and research, with an ambitious programme of work. Thanks to its extensive links and wide reputation, this research laboratory has conducted several research projects, some of them in partnership with such internationally renowned institutions as IRCAM and McGill University in fields including orchestration, new types of instrument-making and computer-assisted composition.

The focus of all these activities, which includes those of various studios, is the Electroacoustic Music Centre (CME).

The events are highly varied, ranging from recordings of all the main performances by the Geneva University of Music’s ensembles and orchestras and some thirty mixed electroacoustic music concerts a year, and partnerships with Geneva ensembles or festivals, including the Ensemble Contrechamps, the Archipel Festival and Eklekto.

Department head
Gilbert Nouno

Scientific assistant 
David Poissonnier

Sound-engineer
Christophe Egea