Ressource centre for

musical instrument
technology professionals
The art of meeting high expectations creatively
European
technological
institute
for musical
professions
Le Mans - France
Institutional partners
Ministre de la Culture et de la Communication (DRAC des Pays de la Loire) Ministre de lducation Nationale
Ministre du Travail, de lEmploi, de la Formation Professionnelle et du Dialogue Social Ministre de lArtisanat, du
Commerce et du Tourisme Rgion des Pays de la Loire Conseil Gnral de la Sarthe Le Mans Mtropole Ville du
Mans AGEFA-PME AGEFOS-PME Pays de la Loire / Poitou-Charentes European Union (FSE, FEDER).
Europiano France Chambre Syndicale de la Facture Instrumentale Chambre Syndicale des Mtiers de la Musique
Union Nationale de la Facture Instrumentale Groupement des Spcialistes en Instruments Vent Association des
Luthiers et Archetiers pour le Dveloppement de la Facture Instrumentale Groupement des Luthiers et Archetiers dArt
de France Association Professionnelle des Luthiers Artisans en Guitares et autres Cordes Pinces CGPME.
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- ITEM
M
European technological institute for musical professions
European non-profi t organi zation dedicated to musical i nst rument technol ogy professions
contact us
71, avenue Olivier Messiaen - 72 000 Le Mans - France
phone: +33 (0)2 43 39 39 00 - fax : +33 (0)2 43 39 39 39
mail : contact@itemm.fr
www.itemm.fr
Fonds social europen
4 000 m building
130 seat, fully equipped auditorium
5 instrument making workshops
44 piano tuning studios
18 individual musical practice studios
10 multimedia and sound design studios
1 documentation centre
2 200 technical books and specialized library
1 applied research laboratory
280 students
150 000 course hours per year
70 professional instructors
35 permanent employees
340 partner companies
50 courses per year for continued educations dedicated to
working professionals
THE ITEMM AT A GLANCE OUR MISSION
TO LEARN A TRADE
Itemm gives international students the opportunity to learn
their trade, awarding a higher education diploma organized
with the Universit du Maine. Four university degrees are
offered: piano tuner, guitar repairer, wind instrument repairer,
and sound engineer.
These courses run on a full-time basis from September to
May, including technical training, professional culture classes,
internship and career guidance and support.
The complete curriculum is in French. Preliminary course for
French higher education is required, should the need occur.
This course may be provided. It lasts from two to nine months
and must take place before beginning of term.
PERFECT TECHNIQUES THOUGHOUT A CAREER
Itemm accompanies professionals throughout their careers
by offering training on new trends and techniques. Lasting
between two to fve days, these dedicated training courses
are specifcally built for instrument making and repairing
professionals, but extend also to other music technology
professionals such as sound engineers, music teachers, music
school directors and music store employees, providing them
with the essentials of the trade.
TO STAY INFORMED
The institute publishes a yearly periodical: music & technique
addressing issues revolving around technical aspects of
music. Itemm also partakes in the translation of renowned
international industry-specifc publications.
VOCATIONAL EDUCATION
Itemm stands for the "European technological institute for
musical professions". It is one of Europes leading schools for
education on all technical aspects of musical instruments:
repairing, tuning, restoration and the creation of guitars, wind
instruments, pianos and accordions, also providing training
to students on the technical aspects of sound and the music
industry.
As a European organization which is unique in the world,
our institute develops interconnections between the musical
instrument industry in France and abroad.
Itemm is a non-proft organization built by musical instrument
making, repairing and tuning professionals. It was created
following 1988 European Parliament resolution outlining that "it
was important for Europe to have an innovative institute which
would reassert the value of musical professions [...] and would
help to communicate the knowledge needed to establish
training courses for these professions".
As an organization, Itemm benefts from state, regional and
local funding.
The music instrument making support platform
SUPPORT PROGRAMME FOR THE MUSICAL INSTRUMENT INDUSTRY
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
Acting as a go-between for the Arts & Skilled Crafts sector
and the scientifc & technical community, Itemm works as a
research and development facility to lead innovative projects.
The institute brings the latest in scientifc break-throughs and
discoveries to smaller businesses, allowing them to leverage
the knowledge and capabilities of a well-established R&D
department.
ECONOMICAL GROWTH
Itemm also serves as the link connecting the worlds
economic landscape with industry specifc concerns by
leading observational and analytical studies on the sector.
It participates in the creation of promotional activities locally
and internationally.
PAFI, THE MUSIC INSTRUMENT MAKING SUPPORT PLATFORM
Build based on a collaborative process to develop the sector
requiring coordination between musical acoustics laboratories
and an Arts & Skilled Crafts workmen collective, the Paf tool
is a music instrument making support platform. The goal of
Paf is to offer a means to characterize, analyze and virtually
develop models within workshops. Paf is a unique decision
making tool modularly conceived to respond to the need for
innovation and improvement that smaller business face to
remain competitive.
Government endorsed Innovation Hub for musical instrument tech-
nology professions, the institute contributes to the technological and econo-
mic growth of the musical instrument industry.
INDUSTRY ADVANCEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT
EXHIBITONS, TRADE FAIRS
Itemm regularly represents musical
instrument technology professionals
at industry related European events as
well as participates in career fairs and
trade exhibitions.
The institute is able to quickly design
small exhibition materials about
musical instrument technology and
present it to various audiences when
needed.
INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES
As a European institute, Itemm
is involved in the international
development of local skills though
the delivery of training across diverse
countries. This materializes either by
sending trainers for specifc missions
to share knowledge or by welcoming
international students in its training
centre in France.
Itemm also draw bridges across the
world creating thriving relationships
with international professional
organizations and institutions.
BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE & EXTENDED
NETWORK
Itemm is accountable for the safe-
keeping of industry knowledge.
Itemms technical and bibliographical
databases may be accessible to large
audiences online. Public access to its
documentation centre is also available
and holds over 2 200 technical
publications and business intelligence
research pieces.
As a government endorsed Innovation Hub
for musical professions Itemm has a dedicated
mission within the industry.