(1936 - 2007)
Born in Lausanne (1936), he first studied harmony and counterpoint there with Hans Haug, then from 1954 followed courses in orchestration and composition by André- François Marescotti and the conducting course by Samuel Baud-Bovy at the Geneva Conservatory. For a better knowledge of the orchestra, he also studied percussion and horn. As conductor and band leader he directed many ensembles in Switzerland, in particular, for twelve years, the Fribourg Landwehr. Jean Balissat was president of the Swiss Musicians’ Association from 1986 to 1990. Since 1991, he is president of the SUISA Foundation for Music. Deeply attached to the country-side of the canton of Vaud, he lives in Corcelles-le-Jorat, while teaching composition and orchestration at the Conservatories of Geneva and Lausanne.
