Until well into the 19th century, among the many talents well-qualified musicians had to have was the ability to perform in the musical idiom of the time. This also formed an essential part of the improvisational training they received.
In addition to contemporary accounts and methods, the compositions which have been passed down through the centuries constitute important, and often the only, sources for unwritten musical practices of certain eras. Consequently, stylistically-informed composition is a core part of this study programme.
This specialised Master’s programme also focuses on improvisation within an ensemble, as well as issues pertaining to the sharing of methodological expertise and performance practice (clarity, sound aesthetics, contact with the public, stage presence).
Improvisation in all its variants – for keyboard players, practically all forms of solo repertoire; for players of melody instruments particularly ornamentation, diminution, variations and cadences – is a central element of historical performance practice. Ideally, this is where all the specific knowledge and competence gained in the field of Early Music flows together to create an exciting realm of ‘composition in performance’. The Schola Cantorum Basiliensis (SCB) offers a unique combination of courses in practical improvisation, history, and historical composition techniques, which have been developed and refined over the course of its degree programmes.
The aim of this programme is to provide students with the ability to improvise with a high degree of stylistic differentiation, as well as attaining knowledge of historic composition techniques and thoroughbass, advanced instrument proficiency, and individual musical creativity.
Overview
Strengthening historically informed improvisation in the context of practical performance leads to new impulses in historical performance and creates a bridge to contemporary forms of improvised music. Graduates of this programme will be capable of presenting creative performances based on historical criteria. An intentional ‘side-effect’ of this programme is to establish a new, creative approach to existing ‘monuments’ of music literature, and to achieve an up-to-date, dynamic attitude towards our musical heritage.
This programme is aimed particularly at keyboard instrumentalists who are advanced not only technically but also in their ability to improvise according to historically informed criteria. Players of melody instruments may also be accepted on this programme, if they show a special talent and affinity for improvisation.
Graduates can make improvisation and composition in styles from the 16th to 18th centuries a centrepiece of their concert programmes and apply these in their work as a professional ensemble director/continuo player. In addition, for those working as lecturers, teachers and tutors, the historically-informed and methodically reflected approach to improvisation and composition in different Early Music styles, which they have acquired during their studies, will form a central component of their work as educators.
To be admitted to the Master’s programme, applicants must hold a Bachelor degree in Music/Music and Movement or an equivalent qualification.
Applicants who have failed any part of their Bachelor degree programme may be provisionally admitted to the Master’s programme under the condition that they successfully resit the relevant exam(s) by the end of the first MA semester. In order to be accepted for study, enough billable ECTS credit points must be available to fulfil all requirements of the diploma programme. For the Master's degree the minimum is 30 ECTS credit points. Applicants must declare any ECTS credits they have acquired from a previous course of study that they had failed to complete.
The admission procedure requires applicants pass an aptitude test.
The admission procedure breaks down as follows:
Verification that the applicant meets all formal admission criteria
Admission to the aptitude test
Aptitude test (entrance exam)
Decision on admission.
Admission shall be granted for the academic year to which the aptitude test applies. This test may be retaken no more than once per degree programme/major, but no earlier than the next official aptitude test date.
Places on the degree programme are limited; a quota is set for first-year admissions. Based on the framework regulations governing student intake restrictions for Bachelor and Master’s degree programmes at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts (FHNW), the FHNW Academy of Music shall make its final selection based on the level and comparative ranking of the applicants' examination results.
The entrance exams consist of an on-site audition. Persons unable to take an on-site assessment for visa, financial or environmental (long distance travel) reasons may submit a request for an online entrance assessment (video presentation and live interview). This request must be sent to c2NiLmhzbUBmaG53LmNo at the same time as the application (by 31 January), stating the reasons, and must then be approved by the management.
The tasks of the exam can come from the following fields:
task with 3 days preparation time
Improvisation of a fugue or a ricercare on a given theme. The theme will be sent to the candidate electronically 3 days before the examination. As a complementary prima vista task, a modulating prelude or toccata is to be played before the fugue or ricercare. The initial key or mode will be announced immediately before the exam. Candidates for melody instruments or voice can choose instead between ornamentation/diminution of a madrigal or a slow aria.
task with twenty minutes preparation timePerformance of a partimento bass
possible prima vista tasks (no preparation time)Variations on an ostinato bass, improvisation of one or more suites of own choice on a given bass, improvisation of a chorale prelude on a given chorale, improvisation of a fughette or an invention on a given theme, musical performance of a given affect.
CompositionPlease prepare an audition of a self-composed solo piece for your own instrument, no longer than 4' and bring the score in quadruplicate.
The general section of the entrance exam (theory) and proof of proficiency on a keyboard instrument take place on the same day, usually before or after the on-site audition for the main subject (duration: 20 min.).
sing and identify intervals played on the harpsichord (closed and open position)
active singing of intervals above or below a given pitch
sing and identify seventh chords (7, 5/6, 3/4/6, 2/4/6)
Dictation: sing and notate a two-voice setting (soprano and bass)
identify the chords (preferably figured bass; modern harmony also acceptable)
Improvisation: sing a continuation of the dictated melody
Sight-sing a melody of medium difficulty from the 17th or 18th century, notated in treble or bass clef
Performance of a prepared, short piece of your choice on the harpsichord (not required for those with major keyboard or plucked instruments)
The on-site auditions will take place between mid-March and mid-April. The exact dates may be seen here after the beginning of January.
Registration
You may apply from 15 December until 31 January.
The following documents must be handed in with your application: Curriculum Vitae including motivational letter, school leaving qualification (Matura, Abitur, Baccalauréat, High School-Diploma) and Bachelor Diploma. If the applicant already holds a Master Diploma, please include.
Announcement of the results
The results will be communicated by email in the beginning of May.
