Open Creation

Degree
MA FHNW in Musikpädagogik, Studienrichtung instrumental/ vokal, Zweites künstlerisches Hauptfach Blasorchesterdirektion

Teaching language
German/English
Level B1 is required for the German language in the MA MP.

Semester fee Second major
800 CHF

Registration for the second artistic Major Open Creation as part of the Master of Arts FHNW in Music Pedagogy instrument/voice requires a completed Master's degree in vocal or instrumental performance.
The study programme thoroughly prepares students for a career in analogue, digital and media music creation and performance. It equips them with the design, technical and logistical skills to pursue, reflect on, market and professionally document their own artistic projects. One-on-one classes with our globally connected teaching staff from a wide range of creative backgrounds and artistic disciplines offer students a broad-based learning experience which is free from aesthetic bias and centred around collaboration. Graduates leave with a ready-made network of contacts, including sonic space basel's national and international project partners, which will give them a valuable head start in their transition from college life to the professional world.
In addition to the artistic specialisation, the practice-oriented, concentrated pedagogical training enables the students to teach the instrument studied in the first master's programme professionally in individual and group lessons at musical educational institutions or independently at all levels.

This study programme is aimed at student creatives who hold a Master's degree in vocal or instrumental performance and enables them to combine their artistic profile with a Master's degree in pedagogy for their own instrument.

The Master's degree in Music Pedagogy instrument/voice (second artistic Major Open Creation) allows students to acquire a dual profile:
The second artistic Major Open Creation prepares students for a career in analogue/digital and media music creation and performance which transcend geographical, stylistic and aesthetic boundaries. It equips them with the skills and knowledge they need to carve out a distinctive place within the analogue and/or digital music industry as highly professional and original creative performers, transnational artists, curators or festival organisers.
The pedagogical Master's qualification enables them to teach their instrument in music education institutions as well as independently.

The core curriculum is divided into three parts:

• Major A:
  Improvisation, composition, contemporary performance or open art formats*
• Major B: 
  Improvisation, composition, contemporary performance or open art formats*
• Semester project/Master's project

Successful applicants choose their Major A subject as well as their lead tutor in consultation with the Master's programme director. It should be noted that students may not change this choice at any point during their studies. In contrast, they can switch from one Major B subject to another every semester; the chosen Major B subject must not be the same as the student's Major A subject. Teaching is provided by lecturers from sonic space basel and the FHNW School of Art and Design.
Each semester, students must develop and complete an approximately 25-minute, original project for public presentation (a project budget will be provided). In the final semester, students will present their 45-minute Master's project.

Subjects such as context, practice, reflection and communication are taught within the complementary part of the Open Creation Major. Students can choose from an extensive range of electives, which allow them not only to build on their knowledge and skills in their preferred areas of specialisation and applications, but also to supplement the core content of their studies.

* = Electronics, media composition, sound art, sonic arts, open performance, sonic installation, etc.

Second Major: Open Creation
Structure MA MP Klassik instrumental/vokal 2Major Open Creation A Improvisation in German
Structure MA MP Klassik instrumental/vokal 2Major Open Creation A Composition in German
Structure MA MP Klassik instrumental/vokal 2Major Open Creation A Open Art in German
Structure MA MP Klassik instrumental/vokal 2Major Open Creation A Contemporary Performance in German
Structure MA MP Klassik instrumental/vokal 2Major Open Creation B Improvisation in German
Structure MA MP Klassik instrumental/vokal 2Major Open Creation B Composition in German
Structure MA MP Klassik instrumental/vokal 2Major Open Creation B Open Art in German
Structure MA MP Klassik instrumental/vokal 2Major Open Creation B Contemporary Performance in German

Below please find the link with all the information on the module descriptions of several FHNW universities.

• At the top right, switch the language settings to English.
• At the bottom right, filter by semester, Hochschule für Musik Basel FHNW, the desired degree programme or other criteria to display the relevant module information.
• Use the PDF button at the top left to call up a document from each overview and save it for yourself.
• Course registrations are made via the intranet.

Admission criteria
In order to enter the FHNW Master of Arts in Music Pedagogy programme with a Wind Orchestra Conducting major, applicants must be awarded with a Master in Music Performance with an instrumental/vocal major 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 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 Studienreglement of the Master of Arts FHNW in Music Pedagogy.

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 at least a B1 German language certificate according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) at the beginning of the studies. This certificate must be complete, i.e. all modules (reading, listening, writing, speaking) have been tested separately and passed at least at level B1 overall. Only certificates that have been certified with the ALTE-Q-Mark seal of approval (e.g. the B1 certificate of the Goethe-Institut or the telc certificate) are accepted. The required certificate B1 must be submitted with the confirmation of admission but not later than Mai 31. Exceptions will be decided upon by the head of degree programme.

Entrance exam
The entrance exam is split into several parts.

Procedure
Major exam
Conversation:
After reviewing the submitted portfolio, the jury will invite chosen applicants for an online interview (ca. 30 minutes) by videoconference/zoom.

Pedagogical aptitude assessment
The pedagogical aptitude assessment refers to the instrument of the first Master’s major. 

Pedagogical aptitude assessment (external applicants)
Candidates who are invited to the second round (on-site audition) are asked to submit a video of a demonstration lesson of 20' duration with a student of their own instrument. The student can be beginner or advanced and there is no age limit. If possible, the lesson should be held in German. If this is not possible for organizational reasons, the lesson must either be held in English or the video must be subtitled accordingly. The recording must not be older than 6 months. Please upload the video onto Youtube and send the following information/documents by April 10 to registration.hsm@fhnw.ch by mail:

• the link
• information about the student (age and characteristics, since when)
• copies of the sheet music used (if applicable)
• a short written reflection of your lesson

Pedagogical aptitude assessment (internal applicants)
For internal applicants, the pedagogical aptitude test takes place on-site during the spring semester (after the head of degree programme has been able to check whether a place is available). The dates will be communicated individually.
The pedagogical aptitude test consists of a demonstration lesson of 20' duration (the allocation of students is taken on by the subject didactics teachers) in German language and a reflection talk following the lesson.

Dates
The exact dates for the aptitude assessment by videoconference/zoom 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, a short biography
• The school leaving qualification, the Bachelor Diploma, the Master Diploma (if available)
• Portfolio that fully reflects the applicant's artistry and creative output, e.g. concerts/performances/improvisations (audio/video); music scores; analytical work; soundtracks; installations; documentation on earlier artistic projects.
• Project proposal (max. project running time: 20–25 min) for a project they would like to execute as part of the Open Creation Major. The proposal should detail the artistic goals of the project, the implementation process and the resources required (performers, audio, visuals etc.). Please note that the proposal must be submitted in video format (approx. running time: 6-7 min).

Upload your video onto YouTube and insert the link to your list of works. Please upload the list of works or send it by mail to registration.hsm@fhnw.ch by 15th February.

Announcement of the results
The results will be communicated by mail in May.