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, CV), 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)
