Noémie L. Robidas

Noémie L. Robidas, President of the Conférence des Hautes Ecoles de Musique Suisses CHEMS, answers the questions of the Revue Musicale Suisse.

Comment allez-vous après cette année ?

For my part, even though I am a little exhausted, I maintain the moral and courage for the HEMU as well as for CHEMS and for the future of our missions in society. The health crisis has not only revealed the forces at work in teaching and administrative staff and among students, but also the human need to have access to culture without an interposed screen... because life loses its soul and its meaning.

Quel est votre souvenir le plus marquant de cette année de pandémie ?

I have a clear memory of that famous Tuesday, 13 March, when we received the decision to close our schools at a record time. We don't think that one day later, the virus will still be in the country! I also remember the final of the Prix Crédit Suisse de la Musique, which I had the honor of presenting. I got very emotional listening to these young talents from the various HEMs live. This made me go crazy so much that I didn't expect a real concert for a long time!

According to you, how has the pandemic changed the profession of musician or the work of your association?

This forces each management team of the different HEMs to question and rethink the content of the courses, the projects and to revise the orientations and formats, which we did not want to do beforehand in the same way. We have come to realize that technology helps to overcome the constraints of distance, but it cannot make up for the human relationships that are nourished by real encounters, whether between musicians, with the public or, in the case of CHEMS, between the directors of the HEM.

What question do you want to ask the Federal Council or what do you want it to do to revive the musical scene?

I think it's important to allow concerts to resume the advertising with protection plans adapted to the location (m2, aeration, etc.) and not just by setting arbitrary targets. Admittedly, this may be more complex to manage, but it would be an appropriate response. I believe it is important to recognize the work of independent musicians, without whom Swiss musical life could certainly not find its full richness in terms of offerings. Finally, for our young graduates, provide support in the form of mentoring or assistance with professional placement for the first two or three years after graduation.