Jean Balissat was born in 1936 in Lausanne (Switzerland), and was drawn straight away to composing and conducting. He studied harmony and counterpoint in Lausanne, before taking composition, orchestration and conducting in Geneva. In order to gain a better understanding of the orchestra, he also studied horn and percussion.
As orchestral director and bandmaster, he has conducted numerous ensembles in Switzerland. Jean Balissat has composed works for orchestra, chamber music groups, percussion, choir, wind band, brass band and solo instruments. Notably, he composed the score for the Fête des Vignerons (Festival of Wine Growers) which was celebrated in Vevey in 1977.
He taught composition, orchestration and musical analysis for many years in the Lausanne and Geneva Conservatories. From 1986 to 1990 he was president of the Association of Swiss Musicians and, from 1991 to 2004, of the SUISA Foundation for Music.
Jean Balissat died in september 2007
