BA Jazz: Instrumental/Vocal or Composition

Guideline for the admission procedure
The admission procedure of the Academy of Music/FHNW for the Bachelor of Arts in Music Jazz, with a focus on an instrument or vocals takes place in several phases:

Preselection: Video-DossierPreselection: Video-Dossier
An audiovisual (video/sound) recording must be submitted. At least two pieces from the repertoire prepared for the audition are to be presented with an ensemble and/or soloist. Optionally, own compositions are desired in the repertoire. The selection of the recorded music should document both the interpretative and improvisational skills and the engagement with jazz as well as possibly with related musical genres.

Criteria for the creation of the videos

• All excerpts should be recorded in their entirety, in their original state and uncut.
• We recommend using a stereo microphone and placing it in the best possible position. If none is available, the microphone of a camera, computer or smartphone can also be used.
• The video should be shot from a static perspective, hands and face should be clearly visible.
• Public recordings can be used as long as they meet the above criteria and have not been edited.
• The recordings should generally be recent, but in no case older than one year.
• The individual pieces can be recorded separately.

Upload and transmission

• To upload the video, please choose either the Vimeo (https://vimeo.com) or YouTube (https://youtube.com) platform.
• Access to the video must be provided until the end of June of the application year.
• The links to the videos (instrumental/vocal performances) are submitted at the same time as the application by 15 February 2023 at the latest.

Preselection
Based on the submitted dossier (composition dossier, video recordings, letter of motivation, Master Project Plan), a commission decides on the admission to the second round. If the decision is positive, the date of the second round (=live audition) will be announced.

Audition
Ensemble and/or solo performance (duration: 30 minutes)

The audition consists of three parts:

• Performance of three prepared jazz-oriented pieces of different stylistic and rhythmic genres.
• Performance of free choice: A self-composed piece / a composition of free choice / a technically demanding etude or transcription or similar. The performance can be unaccompanied or with the accompanying band organized by the university (see below).
  
• Sheet reading of a simple melody and improvisation over given harmonic sequences and (for guitar, piano or bass majors) accompaniment over a ciphered chord progression or (for percussion majors) interpretation of a submitted lead sheet.

Pieces that have already been submitted for the preselection (video dossier) may also be performed at the audition.

At the audition, the candidate must submit as extensive a list as possible of the (jazz) pieces he/she has performed so far, preferably from memory.

Ensemble performances can be completed with the candidate's own rhythm section (always the case for online auditions) or with a rhythm section organized by the university. If the performance is with a rhythm section (piano, bass, drums) organized by the university, the repertoire must be selected in such a way that it can be accompanied without prior rehearsal on the basis of the music material brought along by the candidate.

Selecting the audition mode
At the Institute Jazz of the Academy of Music/FHNW it is possible to complete the second round (live presentation=audition) in attendance (on site) or online. We attach great importance to this and can ensure that both procedures are assessed equally. Allocation to the online procedure is made by application, which must be bindingly submitted with the submission of the dossiers. Without a corresponding application, allocation to the face-to-face procedure takes place (subject to the COVID measures and regulations then in force).

Preparation for the online audition

• If possible, the online audition should be completed with an independently organized ensemble (at least in duo).If possible, the online audition should be completed with an independently organized ensemble (at least in duo).
  
• Care must be taken to ensure the best possible conditions for good transmission quality of the stream, for which we use the ZOOM platform. We recommend registering on   http://zoom.us beforehand and familiarizing yourself with the platform.
  

Analytical examination (theory)
Candidates who are invited to the second round will also be invited to the theory examination. This part of the examination takes place exclusively in live-online mode.

Basics of Harmony:

• Determining intervals
• Determination major, minor, and so-called church modes
• Harmonizing a melody
• Analyzing of a chord progression
• Analyzing and ciphering three- and four-part chords
  
• Listening ton and analyzing cadences and typical harmonic progressions

EarTraining:

• Listening to and identifying intervals
• Listening to and identifying tetrada (tonal and free)
• Singing a melody from the page
  
• Melody dictation
• Singing and naming church scales (so-called modes of the major scale)

Rhythm:

• Singing / clapping binary and ternary exercises from the page, in 4/4 and 3/4 time up to 16th notes, 8th note triplets and quarters
• Rhythm dictation at the same level of difficulty

Guideline for the admission procedure (PDF)

Guideline for the admission procedure
The admission procedure of the Academy of Music/FHNW for the Bachelor of Arts in Music Jazz, with a focus on composition takes place in several phases:

Preselection: Video and composition dossiers
An audiovisual (video/sound) recording must be submitted. At least two pieces from the repertoire prepared for the audition are to be presented with an ensemble and/or soloist. Optionally, own compositions are desired in the repertoire. The selection of the recorded music should document both the interpretative and improvisational skills and the engagement with jazz as well as possibly with related musical genres.
In addition, at least two notated original compositions with a short-written explanation of at least one of these compositions must be prepared and submitted as a PDF together with the audiovisual recording.

Criteria for the creation of the videos

• All excerpts should be recorded in their entirety, in their original state and uncut.
  
• We recommend using a stereo microphone and placing it in the best possible position. If none is available, the microphone of a camera, computer or smartphone can also be used.
• The video should be recorded from a static perspective, hands and face should be clearly visible.
• Public recordings can be usedas long as they meet the above criteria and have not been edited.
• The recordings should generally be recent, but in no case older than one year.
• The individual pieces can be recorded separately.

Upload and transmission

• To upload the video, please choose either the  platform Vimeo (https://vimeo.com) or YouTube (https://youtube.com).
• Access to the video recordings must remain guaranteed until the end of June of the application year.
  
• The links to the videos (instrumental/vocal performances) are submitted at the same time as the application by 15 February 2023 at the latest.

Preselection
Based on the submitted dossier (composition dossier, video recordings, letter of motivation, Master Project Plan), a commission decides on the admission to the second round. If the decision is positive, the date of the second round (=live audition) will be announced.

Audition
Hearing composition (duration: 30 minutes)
Ensemble- and/or solo performance

The audition consists of three parts:

• Performance with ensemble: two pieces of free choice, one original composition and one composition by a third party
• Solo performance of a self-composed piece or a piece of free choice
• Presentation of 2 notated own compositions (scores) with short, prepared explanations (optionally with sound recordings)
• Written task (time: 60 minutes)

The written task will be announced on the day of the examination.
Pieces already submitted for the preselection (video dossier) may also be played for the recital and presentation.
At the audition, the candidate must submit as extensive a list as possible of the (jazz) pieces he/she has performed so far, preferably from memory.

Ensemble performances can be completed with the candidate's own rhythm section (usually at the online audition) or with a rhythm section provided by the university. For the rhythm section (piano, bass, drums) provided by us, the repertoire must be selected in such a way that it can be accompanied without prior rehearsal from the sheet music material to be brought along.

Selecting the audition mode
At the Institute Jazz of the Academy of Music/FHNW it is possible to complete the second round (live presentation=audition) in attendance (on site) or online. We attach great importance to this and can ensure that both procedures are assessed equally. Allocation to the online procedure is made by application, which must be bindingly submitted with the submission of the dossiers. Without a corresponding application, allocation to the face-to-face procedure takes place (subject to the COVID measures and regulations then in force).

Preparation for the online audition

• If possible, the online audition should be completed with an independently organized ensemble (at least in duo).
  
• Care must be taken to ensure the best possible conditions for good transmission quality of the stream, for which we use the ZOOM platform. We recommend registering on http://zoom.us beforehand and familiarizing yourself with the platform.
  
• We recommend the use of an external microphone and, if necessary, an audio interface. For the online examination procedure, we will send a Zoom link by e-mail in good time.

Analytical examination (theory)
Candidates who are invited to the second round will also be invited to the theory examination. This part of the examination takes place exclusively in live-online mode.

Basics of Harmony:

• Determining intervals
• Determination major, minor, and so-called church modes
• Harmonising a melody
• Analyzing a chord progression
• Analyzing and ciphering three- and four-part chords
• Listening to and analyzing cadences and typical harmonic progressions

EarTraining:

• Listening to and identifying intervals
• Listening to and identifying tetrads (tonal and free)
• Singing a melody from the page
  
• Melody dictation
• Singing and naming church scales (so-called modes of the major scale)

Rhythm:

• Singing / clapping binary and ternary exercises from the page, in 4/4 and 3/4 time up to 16th notes, 8th note triplets and quartres
• Rhythm dictation at the same level of difficulty

Guideline for the admission procedure (PDF)

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.

Detailed module descriptions

Modulplan

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.

Harmony

Eartraining

Rhythm

Dates of the admission procedure for the academic year 2023/24

The practical exams will take place from 01.04. to 29.04.2023.

The following information can be found on the Valuable information about your studies page:

• Study Regulations
• Scholarships and Living Costs
• Studying in Switzerland
• Tuition fees
• Study guide
• Semester dates