From Neuchâtel to Creux-du-Van
"The canton of Neuchâtel is quite heterogeneous," says Nicolas Farine, Director of the Conservatoire de musique neuchâtelois (CMNE) since October 2021 and cantonal VMS delegate. He mentions the two large cities of Neuchâtel and La Chaux-de-Fonds, which are very different from each other, as well as the rural areas, for example in the Val de Ruz or the Val de Travers.
There are two VMS music schools in the canton: the Conservatoire de musique neuchâtelois (CMNE ) and the Collège musical, the municipal music school in La Chaux-de-Fonds. They have a total of around 3000 students and 130 teachers at 18 teaching locations. Different subsidy regulations apply to both schools, but in fact parents throughout the canton pay between 30-40% of the costs of music lessons themselves. At both schools, school fees are based on parents' income and there are scholarships that provide support of up to almost 100% at both schools.
The affiliation of the Conservatoire with the canton's Department of Education and the Collège musical with the Department of Education of the city of La Chaux-de-Fonds ensures that the music schools have solid political roots. "This gives us a very good connection to the elementary school," says Farine. Around 150 pupils from brass bands in the canton benefit from a reduced tuition fee. Pupils with disabilities are integrated into the CMNE - teachers are specially trained for this and there are partnerships with specialized institutions. According to Farine, the collaboration between music schools and political actors works very well: "You can really make a difference here."
