Creative Interpretation in New Music

Creative interpretation of new music in the context of sonic space basel: composition, contemporary performance, open creation, audio design and new music theory are brought together here. Collaborations with the beacons of the international new music scene in the context of more than 50 public performances each year guarantee innovation, artistic excellence and a high level of networking opportunities. The work structure is modular, diverse and collaborative.

• In-depth examination of the broad spectrum of contemporary music-making through collaborative exchange
• Individual specification of the study programme to a large extent
• Supplementary modules in theory, reflection, communication and marketing

Why study this?

Learning outcomes

Due to its high level of specialisation, the FHNW Master of Arts in Specialized Musical Performance with Creative Interpretation in New Music Major generally builds on a Master's degree in music pedagogy or musical performance (or equivalent qualification). The core instrumental/vocal skills acquired there are brought up to the highest international standards in the field of contemporary music creation and ensemble work, enabling students to achieve exceptional performances on national and international stages.

Career prospects

Students of this programme find employment in the independent scene and specialised ensembles for contemporary music. They can establish their own ensembles, design and curate festivals, event series and new performance formats in order to position them in the market on both analogue and digital platforms.

Target audience

This study course programme is aimed at musicians who, building on comprehensive instrumental/vocal training, want to engage specifically and in depth with contemporary music, with a view to their professional future in this field.

Study variant available:
The combined master's program – Creative Interpretation in New Music and education in music pedagogy

Opening horizons with contemporary music?
Is there still something new to discover?

Impressions of and with Helmut Lachenmann at the Basel Academy of Music

Structure and Content

Alongside their tutoring duties, the programme's artistic directors help students create their personalised study programme and support them at every stage of the Master's thesis process. They also advise students on the choice of lecturers for their individual classes, offered either within the Academy of Music or in other parts of Europe. As part of the Creative Interpretation in New Music Major, students will also take theory, communication and networking modules at the FHNW Academy of Music. They will work with sonic space basel to develop concert and performance projects, which will ultimately be staged at national and international festivals. Collaboration and interdisciplinarity are core components of the curriculum.

Specials

• In addition to individual lessons, 17 freely selectable lessons at and outside HSM Basel
• Eduard Brunner Composition Prize: Every year, one of our students is awarded a composition prize worth CHF 5,000 as part of an internal sonic space basel competition.
• Annual artistic cooperation with a university/college outside Switzerland

zone expérimentale – the contemporary chamber music ensemble

In addition to basic practical and theoretical training, collaboration with the 'zone expérimentale' ensemble on contemporary chamber music is a central focus of the Creative Interpretation in New Music Major. As well as working with tutors from around the world, students will regularly hone their contemporary collective practice at the Studio/LAB for Creative Interpretation in New Music. They will also have the opportunity to attend workshops, seminars, masterclasses and colloquia hosted and given by their Creative Interpretation in New Music Major tutors and/or guest lecturers.

Modules and Reglements

The BA and MA degree programs at the Basel Academy of Music are based on modules.

The legally binding structure provides an initial guide to the content and weighting of the subjects on the degree programme.
The detailed content and modalities of the individual subjects can be found in the module descriptions.
The study regulations come into force together with the study and examination regulations of the Basel Academy of Music FHNW and form the legal framework.

Requirements, Admission, Entrance Exam

Admission criteria

In order to enter the FHNW Master of Arts in Specialized Music Performance programme with a Creative Interpretation in New Music Major, applicants must be awarded a Master in Music Performance with an instrumental/vocal major or a Master in Music Pedagogy or equivalent (with corresponding instrumental/vocal level), 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.
For further information on the admission criteria, please see the Studienreglement of the Master of Arts FHNW in Specialized Music Performance.

Required skills

• Excellent knowledge of the “classical/classic” repertoire on own instrument.
• High instrumental proficiency.
• Independent, artistic ability and high level of motivation to develop and hone an individual repertoire.
• High level of motivation to engage with different forms of contemporary music and their aesthetic, technical and historical context. 

Language Skills

Sufficient knowledge of German is recommended but not required.

Entrance Exam

Organisational Matters

sonic space basel

sonic space basel is a Platform of Basel Academy of Music for Audio Design (BA and MA), Composition (BA and MA and MA SP), MA SP Creative Interpretation in New Music, BA Music Theory Major, MA MP Music Theory, MA SP New Music Theory, MA SP Open Creation and Research. We consider ourselves a laboratory, a communication tool and an information hub for contemporary music.

Contact and Info-Event

Basel Academy of Music

An international institute of higher education and research