Master of Arts in Music Pedagogy – Jazz (Instrument/Voice)
Nurturing independently-minded artist-educators who can share their expertise with empathy and enthusiasm
Jazz (Instrument/Voice) pursues two objectives. On the one hand, students acquire the basics necessary to perform in public as well as the contextual knowledge to plan and deliver musical performances to a professional level.
On the other hand, students acquire the requisite skills to teach and communicate music to others, enabling them to become music educators who can guide others to jazz and music in general and offer professional, practical instrumental/vocal instruction at all Levels.
A stimulating environment that affords me the space to develop as an artist.
Lorraine Dinkel, student
Overview
Jazz (Instrument/Voice) is a practice-led graduate programme which focuses on producing musicians with a well-developed and unique artistic identity who can deliver musical performances of the highest calibre, either as a soloist or as part of an ensemble. To this end, students acquire the ability to compose and arrange music for performance/teaching purposes, and advance their knowledge of the history of music in general, and of jazz in particular. They also gain the music management expertise they will need for their future career.
The Master’s programme also delivers the necessary pedagogical-didactic skills for the provision of professional jazz tuition at all Levels.
Jazz (Instrument/Voice) is aimed at musicians who wish to pursue a career as a professional performer and/or music educator at the highest level.
This Master’s programme produces professional musician-educators who have a well-rounded artistic identity and the necessary qualifications to deliver musical performances of the highest calibre either as a soloist or as part of an ensemble. Graduates of this programme have the requisite expertise to lead ensembles, as well as initiate and oversee their own creative projects.
Equally, holders of a this Master are qualified to offer instrumental, group and ensemble tuition in general, music and jazz schools at all levels, as well as on a private basis. This means that they are also qualified to assess the musical development of children, young people and adults and to further them according to their abilities and musical Goals.
Core curriculum I
Major module (60 CP): Individual and group tuition Major-specific courses/regulations
Core curriculum II
Teacher training module (4 CP): Teaching practice, with a real-life class Music school placement Pedagogical and psychological basics
Music didactics module (28 CP): Music pedagogy – one-week introductory course Music didactics/methodology Jazz didactics Pedagogical forum Music pedagogy, electives Teaching practice, with video-based training
Complementary courses
Practical module (8 CP): Workshop: repertoire/themes or Big Band
Elective courses
Personalised module (20 CP): Music business (electives) Minor or courses/activities chosen from the electives on offer
In order to be considered for the Master programme with an Instrumental/Vocal Major, applicants must hold a Bachelor degree in music (Jazz) or an equivalent qualification from another higher education provider. They must also pass the entrance exam and win a place on the programme.
Teaching staff Jazz
Our internationally renowned teaching staff at a glance
In a freely arranged performance (max. 30 min), applicants should be able to demonstrate advanced artistic abilities and excellent instrumental/vocal proficiency. The choice of material should be stylistically diverse and reflect the applicant’s familiarity with a wide range of jazz genres. The applicant may perform a work from the standard jazz repertoire, an original work in their preferred style or an arrangement. For the performance, the university provides a backing band (rhythm section). Applicants must provide the backing band with clear sheet music (lead sheets, 3 copies) if their prepared music is not included in the standard "Fake Books".
Applicants are also kindly requested to provide the examiners with a list of the repertoire (e.g. jazz standards) that they have already studied and preferably are able to perform from memory.
During the audition, the examiners may decide to ask the applicant to undertake a short and unprepared exam, e.g. a sight-reading/singing or free improvisation exercise, in order to ascertain his/her level of playing experience.
Prior to the audition, the applicant will be interviewed to assess his/her pedagogical aptitude and the scope of their existing knowledge.
Piano (compulsory) for non-pianists
Applicants whose Bachelor degree did not include piano as a compulsory subject will be required to perform the following exercises:
Repertoire: performance of five, stylistically different works using advanced harmonisation techniques as follows – theme (chord accompaniment) – accompaniment (with variations) – improvisation (optional). The examiners will choose which of the works they wish the applicant to perform.
Sight-reading of a jazz standard of intermediate difficulty (accompaniment, poss. melody).
Major and minor key progressions, individual chords (both with variations).
The piano exam will take place before the main audition (max. 10 minutes incl. sight-reading and progressions).
The entrance exams are held in spring. The next dates will be here.
Applicants must also include with their application form a personal letter of motivation explaining why they have chosen this Master’s Programme.
700 CHF for Swiss citizens and foreigners with legal place of residence in Switzerland | 1000 CHF for foreigners without legal place of residence in Switzerland from EU/EFTA states | 1250 CHF for foreigners without legal place of residence in Switzerland from third-party states
