The FHNW Master of Arts in Specialised Music Performance with a Solo Performance Major is to a two-year graduate programme aimed at exceptionally talented musicians who have distinguished themselves as soloists. Students are given the opportunity to prepare themselves for a career as a soloist in an international, challenging and motivating environment under the direction of teachers who possess a wealth of solo experience.
Producing assured stage performers
Above and beyond their high degree of instrumental or vocal talent, the students will develop and realise their full potential as independent soloists with a unique musical identity capable of delivering commanding stage and concert performances. Students will build on the general instrumental/vocal training they acquired during their previous studies to develop their own distinct artistic profile, and to specialise both as a solo performer and in music from different eras.
Performing with renowned orchestras
Recitals and solo concerts with orchestras (either the Sinfonieorchester Basel or the Kammerorchester Basel) organised by the School of Music provide students with an opportunity to distinguish themselves as performers and gain valuable stage experience.
Overview
As a rule, the FHNW Master of Arts in Specialised Music Performance with a Solo Performance Major follows on from an MA in Music Pedagogy or an MA in Music Performance. The core vocal/instrumental competencies acquired prior to this programme are here pursued to a level that matches the highest international standards; those skills are consolidated in the specific disciplines listed below so that exceptional standards may be achieved on the national and international concert stage and at competitions
The FHNW Master of Arts in Specialised Music Performance with a Solo Performance Major is aimed at exceptionally talented instrumentalists or singers who already hold a Master’s degree and who wish to prepare for a career a solo performer.
Graduates of the FHNW Master of Arts in Specialised Music Performance with a Solo Performance Major are qualified to pursue a career as a professional soloist, either alone or possibly in combination with work as a chamber music performer or educator.
Admission criteria In order to enter the FHNW Master of Arts in Specialized Musical Performance programme with the Major soloist, applicants must be awarded a Bachelor in Music/Music and Movement or equivalent as well as they have to 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 and have passed the first round of the entrance exam will be invited to play a live audition. For further information on the admission criteria, please see the Studienreglement of the Master of Arts FHNW in Specialized Music Performance
Required skills
Exceptional stage presence and self-assuredness as well as the technical mastery of the instrument/voice.
excellent musical expression abilities and outstanding musical expressiveness
Considerable ease with the role of soloist, whether in a solo recital or solo appearances with an orchestra.
Proof of a broad yet individual repertoire.
Documented participation in international competitions.
Language Skills We recommend having sufficient German language skills.
Entrance exam The entrance exam is split into the first round, which is held “by video”, and the second one, which is a live audition.
Procedure First round: Video recordings Applicants must submit a video when registering. Video requirements The length of the video should be minimum 20 minutes to maximum 30 minutes. It should contain a representative selection of the repertoire requirements. The single works/movements submitted must indispensably be recorded without any cuts. If applicants submit one straight video with the whole programme, the applicant must set marks after every work/movement so that it is possible for the jury to purposely skip within the video. Microphone: We recommend using a suitable stereo microphone and place it conveniently. If necessary, you may also use the microphone of a camera, computer, or smartphone. Please record the video from a fixed point of view. The hands and the face of the musician must be visible. Publicly recorded concerts may be submitted as long as they correspond to the above-mentioned requirements (no cuts) and as long as they are not older than 6 months. Please upload the video onto YouTube and add the link in the registration tool. Please add the worklist to your application or send it by mail to cmVnaXN0cmF0aW9uLmhzbUBmaG53LmNo until 15th February at the latest. Only those applicants who will be considered for the second round will be invited for the live audition.
Second round: Live audition Repertoire requirements Please prepare a programme of minimum 20 to a maximum of 30 minutes with pieces from at least three different stylistic epochs and play them from memory according to the usual professional practice. The choice of the programme may be identical as the one of the video. The candidate may choose the first piece. Then, the jury will decide which works to play and is allowed to interrupt the audition at any time. Afterwards, there will be a short conversation about the goals of the studies and the study course content as well as the applicant´s prior education, experience, the choice of the professor, etc.
Dates The live auditions will take place at the end of April.The exact dates 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 curriculum vitae, a motivational letter, the school leaving qualification, the Bachelor Diploma. In case that the applicant already holds a Master Diploma, we also need a copy of that.
Announcement of the results The results of the first round will be communicated by mail at the end of March. The results of the second round will be communicated by mail in May.
At Hochschule für Musik Basel, students have the opportunity to participate in various project and ensemble programmes. To the overview of the recurring offers.
