Cultivating a creative approach to music composition through the exploration of instrumental, vocal, performance and electronic aesthetics and forms of expression.
Key data
Degree
Master of Arts FHNW in Komposition/ Musiktheorie, Studienrichtung Komposition
The Composition Major provides student composers with the tools to forge their own distinctive and independent creative personality This advanced course of study that builds on the foundational knowledge and skills acquired in the BA in Composition. Courses combine knowledge transfer, reflection and project development and draw on a wide range of appropriate teaching techniques. Through exposure and exploration of music composition aesthetics, students learn to develop their own ideas and opinions on the subject. Within the sonic space basel platform, students explore a wide variety of formats and work with performers and electronic musicians from the Musik-Akademie Basel campus and beyond to develop their own approach to the creative and implementation process.
a comprehensive knowledge of different compositional techniques;
the ability to compose independently in different fields of instrumental, vocal, electronic and/or audiovisual music;
professional-level notation and rehearsal of one's own compositions;
requisite communication skills to present one's own works and contribute to general contemporary music discourse professionally and persuasively;
knowledge of prevailing cultural trends (e.g. new technologies and means of production).
The FHNW Master of Arts in Composition/Music Theory with a Composition Major is aimed at holders of a Bachelor degree with a Composition Major, or an equivalent qualification.
The FHNW Master of Arts in Composition/Music Theory with a Composition Major produces graduates with the necessary qualifications to pursue a career as an independent professional Composer.
* = Course choices: music theory/electronics/improvisation/performance; possibility of changing course choice every semester.
Complementary courses (theory/music in context/practice/reflection, core elective) 36 CP Ear training and interpretation Instrumentation Analysis 1: techniques and methods Analysis 2: approaches in new music Live electronic performance Programming languages and environments 1 & 2 Prevailing aesthetics Script and process: creative action and interaction Microtonality experimental lab Curating music Interdisciplinary acts In-between/composition/improvisation/performance Composer-performance collaboration Projects at sonic space basel
Elective courses 4CP Courses/activities in over 140 electives
Admission criteria In order to enter the FHNW Master of Arts in Composition/Music Theory programme with a Composition Major, applicants must be awarded a Bachelor in Composition or equivalent as well as they must have passed the entrance exam and were offered a free place at the Academy (limited places). Applicants who have submitted all the necessary registration documents in time will be invited to the online entrance exam by mail and online meeting. For further information on the admission criteria, please see the Studienreglement of the Master of Arts FHNW in Composition/Music Theory.
Required skills
Sound basic knowledge of composition, harmony, counterpoint, analysis, ear training and music history of honours’ degree standard.
Advanced level of piano proficiency or basic vocal proficiency/proficiency in a different instrument.
Ability to engage reflectively with music and to contextualise one’s own thought and ideas within a historico-cultural and societal framework.
Ability to perform an independent and complete analysis of musical works and present the findings in an appropriate manner.
Ability to write/adapt one’s own works for different formations.
Language skills We expect students to have very good German language skills at the beginning of the studies. Students who are not German native speakers must present a B1 German language certificate according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) at the beginning of the studies.
Entrance exam The entrance exam consists of several parts.
Procedure Written exam by mail (duration approx. four hours)
Short compositional exercise by mail. The exercise is based on various materials or concepts (you may also choose from electronical materials). In case of electronic concepts, you must submit a sound file including a written documentation.
Written analysis of a short movement from the 20th/21st century (preparation time one hour).
Online Oral exam
Quick oral presentation (5-6 minutes) of an example of the submitted composing works by video*
You will listen to an example from the 20th/21st century and report explicitly on the techniques, pitches, rhythms, timbres, etc.
Online meeting
Dates The entrance exam by mail and the zoom meeting will take place at the end of April. The exactdates may be seen here.
Registration You may apply between 15th December and 15th February. Along with the registration, it is mandatory to submit the following documents:
A short biography
The school leaving qualification, the Bachelor Diploma
In case that the applicant already holds a Master Diploma, we also need a copy of that.
At least three compositions (may be submitted optionally as MP3 a/o video in addition to the PDF)
A written analysis (pattern and extent of choice)
Optional: further exercises in stylistic composition, concepts, digital music programmes, projects, essays, documentation, music-theoretical/scientific research papers, etc.
Upload your video onto YouTube and insert the link in the registration tool.
Announcement of the results The results will be communicated by mail in May.
Example Examination Assignments Composition (in German):
At Hochschule für Musik Basel, students have the opportunity to participate in various project and ensemble programmes. To the overview of the recurring offers.
