Intervening musician: discovering a largely unknown profession on the Orsay campus

On 8 November 2024, a unique event was held at the Lumen on the Saclay plateau. At lunchtime, the studious atmosphere of the immense glass building was transformed, taking its visitors on a musical journey, or more specifically, a "sandwich concert", according to the event's slogan. For around forty minutes, a group of musicians played a series of their own compositions, with songs, violins, guitars and even Tibetan bowls echoing around the Lumen. 

"This was the first time we'd taken part in such an event," explains Rosie Hallermeier, one of the artists. And if the applause on the forum's packed benches was anything to go by, it was a resounding success. However, it has to be said the artists taking part were not like other musicians. "Did you know that Université Paris-Saclay has a music department?" the young woman asked the audience. Like her fellow students, Rosie is in her second year at the CFMI (Centre de Formation de Musiciens Intervenants, or Education Centre for Intervening Musicians) Île-de-France on the Orsay campus, under the auspices of Université Paris-Saclay and the Regional Directorate of Cultural Affairs (DRAC) Île-de-France.
 

Raising awareness of music among all audiences

The CFMIs, of which there are currently nine in France, were jointly created in 1984 by the Ministries of Education and Culture. They aim to develop artistic and cultural education by offering courses in the profession of intervening musician. "In practice, this profession has been around for a very long time. But prior to the 1980s, there was no official status, no recognition by a qualification," explains Lionel Wartelle, Director of CFMI Île-de-France. The Diplôme Universitaire de Musicien Intervenant (DUMI, or Intervening Musician Institutional Degree) was created at the same time as the CFMIs. However, forty years on, the profession remains relatively unknown. 

The mission of these intervening musicians is to introduce the public to and raise their awareness of the practice of music. These professionals "are more than just artists who teach. There's a real communication aspect to the profession," explains the Director. "You have to be a musician, of course, but you also need to be able to perform on stage, to capture the audience's attention and their gaze, to convey emotions. That's really important." This is particularly important because the artists work with a wide range of audiences: in primary schools, theatre schools, music schools, specialist institutions such as nurseries, nursing homes, medical educational institutes (IMEs) for the disabled, and even in prisons. 

"There are many ways to do this job," admits Lionel Wartelle. "You can be self-employed, a casual entertainment worker, or affiliated with a local authority, although I think the future of the profession is increasingly in music academies and similar institutions, where you can be part of a teaching team and develop long-term projects." In any case, "it's a profession experiencing shortages. There are far more job offers than graduates."

1,500 hours of education over two to three years

The DUMI has been designed to be as comprehensive as possible, to provide the best possible preparation for this multi-faceted profession. At CFMI Île-de-France, the course can be completed in two or three years, as a full-time academic or continuing education programme, with a total of 1,500 hours. "The course is very diverse and includes vocal and instrumental practice, as well as classes in composition, improvisation, music history and more. We use active teaching methods," explains the Director. "We also prepare students to manage a group, because organising a group of twenty-five nursery school pupils is no mean feat. The aim is for them to be genuinely versatile." 

The curriculum places a particular emphasis on internships, with 500 hours included in the programme. "Right from the outset, we find ourselves in the field and start working with children, without necessarily having the appropriate tools. So we learn a lot at the same time," confirms Rosie Hallermeier. After initial experiences in day-care centres and nursery schools, the student completes an internship in a primary school during this year, as well as working in an IME and a hospital environment. "This is very instructive because we get to work with all kinds of audiences, which allows us to see where we want to be and where we're most comfortable." 

The CFMI welcomes artists with varied profiles and backgrounds. An aeronautical engineer and mother of two, Rosie is currently retraining. "I started singing professionally about ten years ago, and then music became an ever-increasing part of my life." So much so that she decided to make it her profession. "Among our students, some have an academic background while others have a more self-taught experience. Our year groups are also intergenerational," says Lionel Wartelle. 

This diversity within the year groups is part of "the richness of the education", according to the student. "We all have different styles and repertoires, so it's very interesting to work together and bring our worlds together", as "we're doing with the sandwich concert", the next session of which will take place at Lumen on 1 April 2025.

Two sessions to enter the CFMI

To enter the CFMI, you need to "have a very good musical and vocal level, be versatile and open to all styles," explains the Director. After pre-selection based on a portfolio, successful candidates take a number of tests to assess their musical knowledge and ability, their communication skills and their motivation. Admission sessions take place in March and June every year. It is also possible to enter the CFMI via a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) procedure for those already working as musicians who do not hold a DUMI qualification. 

"This is a course that deserves more recognition," insists Rosie. "I studied on the Orsay campus and I didn't even know the CFMI existed. Today, I feel lucky to be there."

Learn more about the "sandwich concerts"

• Watch the sandwich cincert frome 8 November 2024 : https://youtu.be/tEBgK_TcSIw
• The next sandwich concert will take place on 1st April 2025 in Lumen on the Saclay plateau. Registration and information here.