International Organ Course in Romainmôtier (CIOR)

The International Organ Course in Romainmôtier exists since 1969. During its long existence, more than 600 participants and 40 professors attended the course that takes place every summer in magnificent historical surroundings.

Romainmôtier, a Clunisian site with one of Europe’s most beautiful Romanesque churches, is located at about 20 miles from Lausanne, in a region with an ideal blend of mountains, plains, lakes and forests.

Four remarkable instruments can be used for the teaching.

We want our course to be also an opportunity for meeting, sharing and exchanging ideas; in addition to the lessons, we also organize common meals and concerts.

The lessons are given in various languages, as needed. English, German and French are standard.

Course Program

Improvisation Course (July 14-19)

Professors: Emmanuel Le Divellec (Hanover) and Tobias Willi (Zurich)

This one week course, open for everybody, is an important feature of our Academy. A tangible result is guaranteed for each participant, regardless of level or preparation. However, the course requires total involvement and 5 to 6 hours of work per day (in two daily class lessons and one daily individual lesson, besides the personal practice time). The teachers work in full cooperation, and personalized attention is given to each student. On Saturday evening at the end of the week (July 19), the participants will play a little improvisation concert

NB: The number of participants is limited to 12 persons in order to ensure maximum attention. Admissions will be accepted in the order of application.

Interpretation Course (July 21-26) – « Autour » de Jehan Alain

Professors: Erwin Wiersinga (Groningen) and Thomas Ospital (Paris)

The interpretation course is intended for organ students, professional organists or very advanced amateur musicians. It is divided into two sessions of three days each; it is also possible to choose one session only. A team teaching-session will link the two courses, allowing a fascinating artistic dialogue between the two involved professors and the participants.

July 21-23: Erwin Wiersinga
North German Baroque, Bach, Franck, Alain
July 23-26: Thomas Ospital
French Baroque Music, Franck, Duruflé, Messiaen, Alain

Practical course for parish organists and introductory course to harmonium playing (July 28-31)

Professors: Guy Bovet (Neuchâtel), Michel Jordan (Romainmôtier), Vincent Thévenaz (Geneva)

The Jehan Alain association, in cooperation with the Reformed Church of Canton de Vaud, the parish of Romainmôtier and the Association des organistes Romands, organises a four-day course, designed for non-professionals organists. Individual courses and group lessons, according to the number of participants: hymn introduction and accompaniment, basic elements for liturgical improvisation, presentation of repertory for reformed and catholic services and how to perform it.

During this course, there will also be a course about harmonium playing (Vincent Thévenaz) on the magnificent Mustel instrument of the Alain family, offered in 2023 to the Alain association by Aurélie Decourt and considerably enriching the collection of instruments at the Maison de la Dîme. The handling of this precious instrument will be explained, and the course allows to discover an original, less well-known repertory.

NB: According to the number of participants and their demands, either two courses can be organised simultaneously in different places or one single course for all participants can cover both topics.

Course Instruments

  • The Alain family organ (4 manuals, 45 stops), built from 1910 to 1971 by Jehan and Marie-Claire Alain’s father, Albert Alain, restored and installed in one of the buildings of the former Abbey of Romainmôtier.
  • Organ by the famous organ builder Georges Lhôte (4 manuals, 36 stops) in the Abbey Church.
  • The house organ of the famous Italian organist and musicologist Luigi Ferdinando Tagliavini (1929 – 2017), built by Orgelbau Kuhn in the style of Swiss organ builder Aloys Mooser (3 manuals, 12 stops), located since 2017 in the Saint-Michel chapel.
  • Harmonium Mustel (2 manuals) of the Alain family, installed since 2023 at the Maison de la Dîme.

Many smaller study organs in the surrounding villages: easiest to reach by car or bicycle. Public transportation is also possible for certain destinations (but less convenient).

Concerts scheduled during the course

(4 pm: Alain organ, 5 pm: Abbey church)
Sunday, July 13:
Tobias Willi (Alain organ) & Emmanuel Le Divellec (Abbey church)
Sunday, July 20:
Erwin Wiersinga (both instruments)
Sunday, July 27:
Thomas Ospital (both instruments)

Practical Informations

Arrival

The nearest railway station is Croy-Romainmôtier. There are some buses between the station and the village of Romainmôtier (5 min). The station is located at a walking distance of about 25 min to the village on a beautiful little foot path.

Participants for the improvisation or the interpretation week are kindly asked to arrive on the Sunday before the course (July 13 or 20), before 3 pm, to assist at the two concerts given by the professors. Those who wish can join the professors and the staff for a traditional Swiss fondue in a mountain chalet with a spectacular view on the Swiss plains and the Alps after the concerts.

Accommodation

Lodging possibilities in Romainmôtier are good, but relatively limited. It is therefore important that you book your accommodation long time in advance.

We offer a possibility for common accommodation for the participants who are still studying on the local camping site or with local residents, for a special prize.

All other participants are invited to check out our list of possible accommodations.

Common Meals

We organize a daily common breakfast and a common lunch in the Parish Center; the inscription for the meals can be done on the application form.

Course Organisation

Participants will get all the practical information about course schedules, practice instruments etc. during an organisation session on the first day of every course module at 9 a.m.

Application form, course fees and details

Application form (coming soon)

Repertory List

Interpretation Course
Practical course for parish organists