Participant
Full programme- 40-minute individual lesson per day with each teacher
- Individual coaching with each pianist
- Participation in ensembles, concerts and masterclasses
Welcome to the European University of Saxophone
Since its creation, the European University of Saxophone has helped promote saxophone performance at the highest level.
Artistic Director Mr Claude DELANGLE and his teaching team—made up of some of the most renowned French pedagogues as well as leading saxophone personalities—have ensured the free circulation of expertise and knowledge across Europe and internationally.
In collaboration with the city of Gap and with the support of VANDOREN and SELMER, the University has an exciting programme in store for you. Throughout the course, from Monday 13 July to Thursday 23 July 2026 inclusive, you will be able to attend the various concerts featuring students as well as their teachers.
With the participation of:
Overview
The European University of Saxophone takes place over 11 full days, during the second half of July.
Upon arriving in Gap, the 54 registered students are welcomed at the youth residence (see map) by the entire staff: organisers, teachers and pianists, local representatives, etc.
A welcome reception gives them the opportunity to meet, get to know the other students, and talk with the teachers and organisers. The organisers then go over all practical details (course timetable, daily schedule, teaching, concert programme, etc.). Students are accompanied by a dedicated staff member throughout the entire course. This person is their direct contact in case of questions or issues, and also stays at the residence to address any problem that might occur during the night.
The thirty-seventh edition is coming!
Gap · 13–23 July 2026
Register
The thirty-seventh edition of the European University of Saxophone will take place in
Gap from 13 to 23 July 2026.
Teaching
Over the past years, the teaching team of the European University of Saxophone in Gap has been delighted to welcome around fifty students, whose overall standard is fairly homogeneous. This very positive reality allows the teachers to further develop their teaching methods towards greater versatility.
Individual lessons naturally remain the core of this teaching and give every student the opportunity to work with each teacher. They are now complemented by many other activities. Participants can thus appreciate the team both as teachers and as artists. Beyond instrumental improvement itself, the activities offered include:
- The opportunity for each student to rehearse individually with the two pianists (Fumie Ito and Cyrille Lehn)
- Masterclasses
- Saxophone ensemble
- Competition preparation
- Pedagogy classes
- Concert preparation
All students must have prepared a programme of at least 30 minutes before the start of the University.
Please note that using photocopies for sheet music is strictly prohibited.
Two options are available:
Auditor
€250Attend all lessons without instrumental participation. To register or request further information, please contact us by email.
Contact usHistory
In 1989, Serge BICHON (Professor at the Conservatoire National de Région de Lyon), Claude DELANGLE (Professor at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris) and Yves RAMBAUD (Professor at the École Nationale de Musique de Gap) founded the European University of Saxophone, thanks to the financial support of the municipality of Gap.
Their goals were multiple: to affirm the saxophone's place as a modern instrument that is also fully classical; to improve students' training; and to actively foster (ahead of its time!) the free circulation of knowledge and expertise within a Europe still in the making. Finally, this project also aimed to enrich the cultural programme of the Hautes-Alpes. To that end, they called upon the best saxophone teachers in France and decided each year to complete the team with a European professor—thus giving the University its "European" dimension.
Over the previous 35 editions, students have had the opportunity to refine their instrumental mastery with teachers from Spain, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, etc.
Initially designed for French students, the University quickly evolved with the times and has for many years welcomed students from all around the world. Japanese, Chinese, Australian, American, Russian musicians—and of course students from all countries of the European Union—now make up the majority of participants, coming to absorb the French technique and style, widely acclaimed worldwide.
The first generation of students has now become professional, progressively exporting the "Gap model" throughout the world. While the concept has been adopted in various places across Europe, Gap continues to lead thanks to its top-level teaching team, innovations introduced year after year, and the spectacular setting of the Hautes-Alpes—along with the unique atmosphere that prevails during the course. The European University of Saxophone in Gap has thus become a must for professional saxophonists worldwide.
A day at UES
7:30: After a night at the youth residence, the 54 students are invited to breakfast in the facility's restaurant. A meal you should not miss, as the day is often long and intense.
8:45 to 12:45: The 54 participants are divided into 9 groups of 6 students. Over the entire course, each student will spend 40 minutes with each of the 7 teachers, as well as with the two accompanying pianists. All students must have prepared at least a 30-minute programme in advance, which they will be able to work on with every member of the teaching team. During the rest of the morning, students have access to many practice rooms. They can also test products presented by the manufacturers Selmer and Vandoren, who are present on site for a few days (typically 2 to 3 full days), and have their instrument serviced by the repairer from JS Musique, also on site.
13:00: Students have lunch at the residence restaurant. Teachers are often present as well.
AFTERNOON: The beginning of the afternoon is generally devoted to rehearsals with quartets and the various ensembles formed by the teachers from the first day, according to students' wishes and standard (this is the group setting in which the students will perform their final concert at the end of the course). The rest of the afternoon is mainly dedicated to public classes given by some of the teachers, as well as by renowned guest artists. Finally, students can enjoy the many tourist attractions of the city of Gap...
19:30 or 20:30: Students have dinner at the residence restaurant and get ready for the last event of the day, always highly anticipated: either the scheduled concert or a free evening...
18:30 or 21:00: In turn, and accompanied by the renowned pianists of the European University of Saxophone, each teacher performs in concert at the Chapelle des Pénitents, in the very centre of Gap. They give high-quality, free concerts for the students and for the approximately 200 audience members present every night.
Faculty
Teachers and accompanying pianists for the 37th edition.
Claude Delangle
Artistic Director · Professor at CNSMDP
- Has taught at the Paris Conservatoire since 1988
- Founder of UES in Gap
Nicolas Arsenijevic
Saxophonist · Teacher
- Graduated from CNSMDP (Claude Delangle's class)
- Prize-winner of international competitions
Eva van Grinsven
Saxophonist
- Saxophonist, graduate of the Amsterdam Conservatory
Joonatan Rautiola
Saxophonist · Sibelius Academy
- Soloist (European & Nordic orchestras)
- Teacher and performer of contemporary music
Miho Sumiya
Saxophonist · Tokyo (Japan)
- Graduated top of her class from Tokyo University of the Arts
- Soloist & chamber musician · teacher
Lars Mlekusch
Conductor, saxophonist
- Professor of saxophone at the Zurich University of the Arts
Sandro Compagnon
Saxophonist · Soloist
- International prizes (Osaka, Dinant, Thessaloniki…)
- Trained at CNSMDP (Delangle / Moraguès)
Fumie Ito
Accompanying pianist
- Accompanies UES classes & concerts
- Participates in several UES editions
Iren Seleljo
Accompanying pianist
- Accompanies UES classes & concerts
- Participates in several UES editions
Concerts
13–23 July 2026
Concert programme (free admission):
GAP, Chapelle des Pénitents
- ... : coming soon…
Future concert video placeholder
UES student concerts
MESSAGING
European University of Saxophone
Address:
14 chemin de Vigneaux
Romette
05000 Gap FRANCE
Telephone:
+033 (0)4.92.45.06.48
Email:
Accommodation:
Foyer Des Jeunes Travailleurs
73 Boulevard Georges Pompidou
05000 Gap FRANCE
Tel: +033 (0)4 92 40 24 00