"Jazz is the freest way to make and play music" (George Gruntz). Jazz is the one genre of music that truly embodies an attitude to life which values freedom, communication, innovation and self-expression.
Students of Bachelor degree programme receive extensive practical training and acquire the foundations to develop their own unique and well-rounded identity as an artist. This study programme focuses on perfecting students’ instrumental/vocal proficiency while encouraging them to find their creative voice. Students will hone their improvisation and ensemble-playing skills by working on seminal works from the jazz tradition. Students are also actively encouraged to compose and perform their own works. In addition, the programme comprises a range of compulsory and elective courses designed to equip students with the necessary skills and tools to perform at the highest artistic level.
A stimulating environment that affords me the space to develop as an artist.
Lorraine Dinkel, student
Overview
The Bachelor degree programme aims to produce versatile and multifaceted jazz musicians who are able to work independently and put the skills they have acquired into practice. Students will hone their musicianship skills, acquire a solid grounding in the history of jazz and music in general, and become well-versed in the basics of music theory and improvisation. They will also be able to to communicate and reflect critically on the subject of music.
Graduates will be equipped to develop and expand their existing means of artistic expression, launch and carry out their own projects, as well as play a constructive role in the projects of other creatives. Holders of a BA in Music with an instrumental/vocal Jazz major have the qualifications required for a wide range of work as a professional musician and for further study at Master’s level.
The Bachelor degree programme aimed at highly talented instrumentalists and vocalists who wish to further their jazz training and pursue a career in the jazz industry.
The Bachelor degree programme is not a professional teaching qualification. Those wishing to pursue a career in teaching must continue their studies at Master’s level.
Core curriculum
Major module (72 CP): Individual and group tuition Sight reading Secondary subject (instrument/voice training)
Module Performance (24 CP): Basic tunes & patterns Workshop repertoire/themes or Big Band
Complementary courses
Practical module (54 CP): Piano (compulsory) Jazz aesthetics I: harmony Jazz aesthetics II: improvisation and harmony Jazz aesthetics III: reharmonisation techniques Improvisation and world music Ear training Rhythm training Rhythm & movement
Theory module (18 CP): Voice leading Arrangement Analysis of jazz standards and improvisation Jazz history, introduction Jazz history, advanced History of music Music research
MA stream module (6 CP): Preparation for MA P: Introducing Producing Preparation for MA P:Tutoring/Writing Workshop Preparation for MA MP: Meetings with FD faculties
Elective courses
Personalised module (6 CP): Music business: attendance at two events Courses/activities chosen from the electives on offer
In order to be considered for entry to the Bachelor degree programme with an instrumental or vocal major, applicants must hold a school-leaving qualification (Swiss Baccalaureate, Swiss Professional Baccalaureate or equivalent); exceptions may be made for applicants with exceptional artistic talent. Applications will not be considered from individuals who already hold an undergraduate music degree or similar qualification from a Swiss education provider. Only applicants who have submitted the required registration documentation duly completed and on time will be invited to take the entrance examination. Applicants must also be sufficiently proficient in the German or English language from the outset.
Practical Exam Requirements
Major in Instrument or vocals:
Performance of three prepared jazz-oriented pieces of different stylistic and rhythmic genres
Performance of free choice:A self-composed piece of any style or a composition of a personally preferred genre, a technically demanding etude, transcription or similar. The piece can be performed alone, with playback or with the accompanying ensemble (see below*).
Sight-readand improvise within a simple melody. For main instrument guitar, piano and bass comp over a chord progression and for main instrument drums,interprete provided Lead-sheets
Major in Composition:
Performance with an ensemble (piano trio, see below*) of two pieces within any style (an original composition and a cover song) on vocals or the instrument of choice.
Solo performance of a self-composed or cover piece within any style on vocals or the instrument of choice.
Presentation of 2 recorded original compositions (scores) with short, prepared explanations (optionally along with sound recordings).
Written exercise / task (duration: 60 minutes)
*The performances will be accompanied by a Rhythm section (piano, bass and drums). For this, the student should provide in triplicate clear readable music (Lead-sheets) to bring to the test.
Furthermore, it is desirable that the candidates bring along a comprehensive list of previously studied, preferably memorized (Jazz) pieces for entrance examination.
Theoretical Examination Requirements
This section of the exam is required for the ones who passed the practical exam.
Basics of harmony (oral / written):
Determining intervals
Determination of major, minor and church modes
Harmonizing a melody
Analysis of a chord progression
Analyze and write chord symbols for three and four voice chords
Listening and analyzing cadences and typical chord progressions
Ear Training:
Listening and identifying intervals
Listen and identify tetrachords(tonal and free)
Singing a melody from a written sheet
Melody dictation
Singing and naming scales (Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian and Locrian)
Rhythm:
Singing / clapping binary and ternary exercises from a written sheet, in 4/4 and 3/4 time to 16th notes, 8th triplets and quadruplets
800 CHF for Swiss citizens and foreigners with legal place of residence in Switzerland | 1000 CH for foreigners without legal place of residence in Switzerland | 250 CHF Administration fee
