Minors of Institut Klassik
Additional qualifications for students of the Master's programmes Music Pedagogy and Musical Performance
Students of the Master's degree programmes in Music Pedagogy and Musical Performance have the opportunity to focus more on individual areas of training and to obtain additional qualifications, which are shown in the Diploma Supplement. By choosing a minor, students concentrate on one area, which limits the choices in the other areas. A minor must be taken for the entire Master's study period of two years.
In-depth exploration of
The Minor in Audio Design is aimed at Master's students who wish to work with electronic media and/or compose and perform electroacoustic music as part of their musical activities. Students decide the areas of Audio Design they wish to focus on. The Minor in Audio Design covers the following subjects:
- Recording and sound engineering technologies
- Studio and mixing technologies
- DSP and synthesis
- Sound design, sound recording and psychoacoustics
- Sensor and microcontroller technology, programming
- Media studies and electronic music analysis
Structure
Structure Minor Klassik Audiodesign in German
Admission criteria
- Passed the entrance exam for the chosen Master's programme (MA KMth Composition, MA P or MA MP)
- Passed the entrance exam for the Minor in Audio Design
- Place availability
- Knowledge of English is an advantage
Registration
Entrance exam
The entrance exam is held between mid- and late June.
Application (incl. MA programme admission confirmation; deadline: 20 June)
Application process: Prospective students are required to fill out a questionnaire in order to ascertain the level of experience and knowledge they have acquired to date in the electronic music field.
Applicants must also enclose a cover letter setting out why they wish to take this minor, together with at least one example of their work as a text file and/or sound and video file (Audio-CD, CD-ROM, DVD or USB stick). If they wish, applicants may also perform a live electronic piece of their choosing during the exam process (own composition, work from the live electronic music canon or an improvised piece; running time: max. 5 minutes).
Based on the completed questionnaire and the work submitted, the senior lecturer for the major subject may advise the applicant that they do not meet the criteria for the entrance exam.
Minor in Audio Design exam (approx. 25 min.)
- Presentation of the submitted work
- Aural analysis of a short piece/excerpt of an electroacoustic work
- Optional: performance of a pre-prepared piece of music (composition, improvisation etc.)
- Interview with the examiners
Contact
This Minor is aimed at students with a particular interest in choral conducting. Applicants should be experienced chorists or soloists. They should also have sound piano skills as these facilitate the study of choral scores and are a valuable rehearsal tool.
Structure
Structure Minor Klassik Chorleitung in German
Lecturer
Admission criteria
- Passed the entrance exam for the chosen Master's Programme (MA P or MA MP)
- Passed the entrance exam for the Minor in Choral Conducting
- Place availability
Registration
Entrance exam
- Conducting of a pre-prepared choral score (simple to moderate level of difficulty) (Literature reference: Chor aktuell, Bosse 2002; 4 voice, Helbling 2000); piano accompaniment (poss. arrangement); singing of various vocal parts
- Performance of an art song
- Chorstück (einfacher bis mittlerer Schwierigkeitsgrad) dirigieren (Literaturhinweis: Chor aktuell, Bosse 2002, oder 4 voices)
Contact
The Minor in Composition provides students with an opportunity to hone and build on the composing and analytical skills they acquired as part of their undergraduate studie
Admission criteria
- Passed the entrance exam for the chosen Master's Programme (MA P or MA MP)
- Passed the entrance exam for the Minor in Composition
- Place availability (not applicable for students on the MA MP Music theory programme)
Structure
Structure Minor Klassik Komposition in German
Registration
Entrance exam
The entrance exam for the Minor in Composition is held in June.
Applicants must submit (together with confirmation of admission to the MA programme) by 31 May three copies of:
- at least one composition
- (optional) stylistic exercises, concepts, computer-music programmes, projects, essays, other documentation, music theory/musicological research etc.
Oral exam (approx. 35 minutes)
- Analysis of a brief movement from 20th/21st century (preparation time: 60 mins)
- Short presentation of one of the own compositions submitted by the applicant
- Detailed commentary on an audio recording of a piece of music from the 20th/21st century
- interview
Contact
This Minor exposes students to the many facets of contemporary music interpretation and playing techniques. It includes classes as part of their Major subject and participation in chamber music and ensemble projects.
Ready-made cultural network and hands-on experience
This Minor benefits from Basel's incredibly vibrant cultural scene and is laser-focused on providing students with real hands-on experience. Students have the opportunity to be part of projects with students from the specialised Master's in Contemporary Music programme. They also have the chance to acquire valuable practical experience working with institutions and orchestras that have outstanding expertise in the field of contemporary music. They include the Culturescapes Festival, the Sinfonietta Basel, the Ensemble Boswil and events staged by the Gare du Nord. This Minor lays the groundword for admission to the Specialised Master's in Contemporary Music.
Admission criteria
- Passed the entrance exam and admission to the chosen Master's programme
- A cover letter setting out experience to date in orchestral performance and the reasons for choosing this Minor
- Place availability
Structure
Structure Minor Klassik Zeitgenössische Musik in German
Contact
The minor in E-Guitar is aimed at Master's students who wish to further develop and deepen their artistic activities with the electric guitar. This concerns solo playing as well as chamber music and ensemble playing within the framework of the activities of sonic space basel.
Structure
Structure Minor Klassik E-Gitarre in German
Lecturer
Admission criteria
- Passed entrance examination for the chosen Master's programme (MA P or MA MP)
- Passed entrance examination for the minor in E-Guitar
- Sufficient free places
Registration
Entrance exam
An explicit minor entrance examination takes place every June.
- 2 solo pieces for electric guitar (1 piece compulsory from a given list* of works/etudes)
or
- 1 solo piece for electric guitar (free choice or improvisation) & 1 solo piece for classical guitar (contemporary repertoire compulsory)
*given list
Christopher Trapani - Single coil (2018)
Jose Maria Sanchez Verdu - YAD (2018)
Chaya Czernowin - Black Flowers (2018)
Rebecca Saunders - Metal Bottle Necks (2018)
Elena Rykova - Zigzag for Callisto (2018)
Avshalom Ariel - All the boys forgot about you (2018)
Tristan Murail - Vampyr (1984)
Lisa Illean - Tiding (2021)
Contact
Music schools increasingly require new members of staff to have proven skills in group instrumental and vocal teaching and collective musical forms. This Minor enables students of the Master's in Music Pedagogy to acquire additional skills in their chosen field. The subjects covered are:
- Didactics of group instrumental and vocal teaching
- Didactics of collective music teaching
- Didactics of elementary music pedagogy
- Arrangements for school bands
- Conducting
- Internships
Admission criteria
- Confirmation of admission to the Master's Music Pedagogy programme
- Place availability
Other requirements
Particular interest in group instrumental/vocal teaching and collective musical forms.
Structure
Structure Minor Klassik Unterricht in kollektiven Musizierformen in German
Contact
This Minor provides students with hands-on experience of different improvisation practices. Free improvisation is a necessity in all performed music, and an indispensable part of contemporary music education.
Venture into new music territory
Openness is an absolute must for students wishing to take the Minor in Improvisation. They must be ready to abandon any received notions they may have and venture into new music territory. While the main part of the module is taught in groups, students are expected to practise and rehearse regularly (on their chosen instrument), both alone and with others.
Where appropriate, Minor students may work with students taking the Improvisation Major, and participate in their performances.
Admission criteria
- Passed the entrance exam for the chosen Master's Programme (MA P or MA MP)
- Successful interview with the head lecturer
- Place availability
Structure
Structure Minor Klassik Improvisation in German
Contact
This Minor is aimed at Master's students who would like to study jazz alongside their advanced instrument/pedagogical training. Students will have the opportunity to improve their jazz skills on their main instrument as well as explore the wider context of jazz musicianship.
Admission criteria
- Passed the entrance exam for the chosen Master's Programme (MA P or MA MP)
- Official consent of the head lecturer of the Major subject
- Place availability
- Successful interview with the second-instrument lecturer prior to the start of the new academic year
Structure
Structure Minor Klassik Jazz in German
Contact
This Minor is aimed at Piano Majors who wish to acquire a greater knowledge of Lied performance. Students benefit from hands-on practical and performance experience in this specialist field through masterclasses, accompanying Vocal Majors, the performance of vocal chamber music and participation in the LiedAtelier. Students who successfully complete this Minor are eligible to apply for the specialised Master's in Lied Performance.
Admission criteria
- Passed the entrance exam and accepted on the chosen Master's programme
- A cover letter setting out experience to date in Lied performance and the reasons for choosing this Minor
- Place availability
Structure
Structure Minor Klassik Liedgestaltung für Pianistinnen und Pianisten in German
Contact
The minor offers the opportunity to explore fundamental aspects of research and connect them to musical practice. It thus enables students to sharpen their own artistic profile and broaden their professional perspectives: e.g., in areas in which the autonomous and critical elaboration of content, its transfer to art and its communication are required.
The minor can be configured very individually and is aimed at students who wish to acquire research skills as tools for their own musical practice. This includes researching and reflecting on materials for artistic projects, writing dossiers, planning and implementing a project, etc. As an introduction to artistic research, the Minor is especially suitable as a preliminary stage to the MA SP Music and Research as well as, further on, to a PhD.
The program is run in cooperation with the Department of Musicology at the University of Basel.
Admission criteria
- Passed entrance exam for one of the study programs MA P or MA MP
- Place availability
- Admission by the head of degree program MA SP Music and Research after a motivational interview
Structure
Structure Minor Klassik Music and Research in German
Contact
This Minor equips students for a wide range of music outreach activities in cultural, concert and education settings.
Music outreach - a profession on the rise
Music outreach is an increasingly popular professional discipline. From concert halls and opera houses to the independent arts scene and schools and schools, music outreach straddles the worlds of culture and education. The development of new performance formats (staged and compèred concerts), educational guides for concerts as well as workshops have emerged in response to growing public demand for new ways of receiving music.
Artistic and pedagogical skills
This Minor focuses on equipping students with the necessary artistic and pedagogical skills (staging/choreographing/verbal and compère training/concert-specific educational tools) and providing them with practice-led exposure to the many different forms that music outreach can take. Expert practitioners share the tools of their trade in introductory seminars. Students can then use and test these approaches in their own projects and during their internships. Intensive exposure to this field enables students to develop their own distinct professional identity.
Admission criteria
- Passed entrance exam for the chosen Master's programme (MA P or MA MP)
- Cover letter giving reasons for choosing this Minor
- Place availability
Structure
Structure Minor Klassik Musik inszenieren und vermitteln in German
Contact
The Minor in Music Theory provides students with an opportunity to hone and build on the composing and analytical skills they acquired during their undergraduate studies.
Admission criteria
- Passed the entrance exam for the chosen Master's Programme (MA P or MA MP)
- Passed the entrance exam for the Minor in Music Theory
- Place availability (not applicable for students on the MA KMth Composition programme)
Structure
Structure Minor Klassik Musiktheorie in German
Registration
Entrance exam
An entrance exam for the Minor in Music Theory is held in June.
Applicants must submit (together with confirmation of admission to the MA programme) by 20 June three copies of:
- stylistic exercises
- written analysis
- (optional) stylistic exercises, concepts, computer-music programmes, projects, essays, other documentation, music theory/musicological research etc.
Oral exam (approx. 35 minutes)
- Analysis of a brief movement from 20th/21st century (preparation time: 60 mins)
- Piano: performance of two short pieces of moderate to high difficulty chosen by the applicant; sight-reading of a Bach chorale in treble and bass cle
- Detailed commentary on an audio recording of a piece of music from the 20th/21st century
- Interview
Final exam
- Registered students can find details on the intranet
Contact
This Minor is aimed at students who wish to become a professional orchestral musician. In addition to their Major studies, the Minor also covers the orchestra repertoire (orchestral passages and projects) and provides students with the opportunity to take part in ensemble projects. Students study orchestra-specific subjects alongside their Major studies. Once a year, students take part in an intensive rehearsal exercise led by experienced orchestral musicians.
Admission criteria
- Passed the entrance exam for the chosen Master's programme and confirmation of admission
- A cover letter setting out experience to date in orchestral performance and the reasons for choosing this Minor
- Place availability
Structure
Structure Minor Klassik Orchester in German
Contact
Period Instrument Practice at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis
Proximity to the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis offers Master's students a unique opportunity to acquire a deeper understanding of a period instrument. Alongside standard instrumental/vocal classes, students acquire a basic understanding of Early Music by exploring in greater depth the historical context in which these instruments were developed and played.
Admission criteria
- Passed entrance exam for the chosen Master's programme (MA P oder MA MP)
- Place availability
Structure
Structure Minor Klassik Variantinstrument im historischen Kontext in German
Instrument rental
If required, baroque instruments can be borrowed from the Basel Academy of Music. To instrument rental (zetcom.net).
The rental price can be found in the current "General Terms and Conditions for Instrument Lending".
If the desired instrument is not available, students rent an instrument themselves. In this case, the university will contribute a maximum of CHF 200 per semester towards the hire costs. Reimbursement is made using the "Student cash expenses" form and a copy of the external rental invoice.
Contact
This Minor is suited to students who wish to supplement their Musical Performance or Music Pedagogy Master's degree with a second qualification as a wind orchestra conductor.
Structure
Structure Minor Klassik Blasorchesterdirektion in German
Lecturer
Admission criteria
- Passed the entrance exam for the chosen Master's Programme (MA P or MA MP)
- Passed the entrance exam for the Minor in Wind Orchestra Conducting
- Place availability
Registration
Entrance exam
Provided that they have been accepted on their chosen Master's programme, applicants will be invited to take the entrance exam for the Minor in Wind Orchestra Conducting:
- Analysis of a wind orchestra work of applicant’s choosing (approx. 15 minutes)
- An interview with the examiners in which the applicant explains their motivation behind their application and maps out how they envisage their career as a professional wind orchestra conductor.
Contact
Deadline: Final application date
The application, including confirmation of admission to the MA programme for the subsequent academic year, must be filed by 20 June.