Master of Arts in Musical Performance – Jazz Producing/Performance

Core subject: concept and content

The programs core subject consists a combination of the three areas Instrument or Vocal, Composition and Music Production. The profile "allrounder" is open to choose any of these three areas for the focal point (major), while the other two complement this as combination subjects I + II (minor). The «performer» profile sets a deeper focus on instrument or vocal while composition and production are less imperative.

 *The time placement and distribution of the teaching units can be adjust each semester by a study consultation. A total of 120 minutes is available for the profile «producer» and 100 minutes for the profile «performer».

Learning outcomes:

Profile "performer"
Major focus on Instrument/Vocal: Students immerse in instrumental or vocal technical and artistic aspects. They creatively combine interpretation and improvisation with the composition and, together with their repertoire and jazz-related and non-European musical forms, develop their own musical profile. This should be deepened and include a lively performance practice in concert and studio situations. The main focus is on musical interpretation as well as on developing a virtuoso instrumental or vocal style shaped by an individual character.

Profile "composer"
If major focus on Composition: The artistic identity of the students is at the heart of this major. Their own work is fostered within criteria chosen by the students themselves. They learn to apply different musical media in a goal-oriented manner. The students come into contact with approaches and music genres outside their own field, which is important for their development. This interplay deepens their listening and critical faculties; they thereby acquire a greater depth to their artistic personality.

Profile "producer"
If major focus on Music Production: The ability to integrate acoustic/electronic instrumental performance and compositional work in a technical production environment; the ability, in the context of different styles, to choose the appropriate production instruments so as to determine the required sound; and the ability to work with different sequencer platforms and sound-modelling systems. The contents of this major are the realization and interpretation of projects chosen by the student in the form of live performances of electroacoustic music, but also media productions in the realm of popular music styles and film music.

Combined subjects (Minor I+II)
The fundamental focus of all three majors remains the same, though each one is adapted to the student’s chosen profile. The combined subject option provides students with a broader, networked education and opens up new approaches and pathways for their artistic development.

Thanks to the open modular structure and the flexible weighting and distribution of teaching sessions based on their profile, students can define their own learning outcomes and focus their efforts on project-led work.

This field of study is aimed at highly gifted instrumentalists or singers who already have a bachelor's degree in music or adequate degrees or experience.

Given the important role that electronic music technology has become in the creative process and in public performances and CD production, the study programme provides students with an in-depth knowledge of these tools. At the same time, students work intensively on honing their instrumental/vocal proficiency. With its modular structure and custom design, this study programme is the ideal choice for musicians wishing to expand their musical range, benefit from great career opportunities or boost their chances on the music market.

Developing a well-rounded and versatile artistic identity requires an ability to work effectively and constructively with other musicians, writers, arrangers and other creatives in a variety of different musical settings and styles. A thorough musical, technical and cultural knowledge makes it possible to quickly grasp the set-up and running of the entire production process, whether live or studio-based. It also provides artists with the ability to turn their artistic/creative ideas into music and do so in a technologically complex environment.

Students also increase their awareness of how the cultural context informs the creative  process in music, acquire the ability to develop a personal vision of current and new music,  and accumulate comprehensive practical and theoretical knowledge of various traditionally defined music styles.

Detailed module descriptions

Modulplan

Admission to the program requires a bachelor's degree in music (Jazz) or an equivalent educational background, a passed entrance examination (audition) and sufficient open study places (if the number of passed auditions exceeds open study positions, the quality-ranking decides about awarding).

Provisional dates of the admission procedure for the academic year 2020/21 

The dates for the practical exams you'll find here.

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

Guideline for the admission procedure 2021
The admission procedure Master of Arts in Musical Performance Jazz at Academy of Music, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (HSM/FHNW) takes place in several stages:

Video dossier
A video must be provided in which at least three pieces of the repertoire prepared for the audition are presented with an ensemble and/or solo. Optionally, original compositions are welcome. The selection of recorded material should reflect interpretive and improvisational skills related to jazz vocabulary and exposure to various jazz genres.

Criteria for the creation of the videos

• All excerpts and movements should be recorded completely in their original state and uncut (no editing).
• We recommend using a stereo microphone and placing it carefully. If none is available, you can use the microphone of your camera, computer, or smartphone.
• The video should be shot from a static perspective, your hands and face should be clearly visible.
• Public recordings may be used provided they meet the above criteria (unedited).
• The recordings should be as new as possible, but in any case, not older than one year. When producing new material, make sure that the COVID regulations that apply to you are consistently adhered to.
• 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.
• A private link to the video must be sent to us by March 15 of the application year to aHNtQGZobncuY2g=.

Pre-selection
Based on the submitted video dossier, the jury decides about the admission to the further procedure. The date for the audition will be announced in case of a positive decision. Rejections are justified with a feedback from the jury.

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

In an artistic performance of max. 20 minutes sufficient instrumental or vocal skills are to be demonstrated. The performance is basically to be self-designed, but it should demonstrate in some parts of the repertoire that it is based on the exploration of different genres of jazz and that the vocabulary of jazz improvisation is mastered. This can be done by jazz standards from The American Songbook as well as with original compositions or arrangements. This repertoire may include the same pieces that are featured in the video dossier. In addition, a repertoire list with some (jazz) pieces learned by heart so far should be prepared for the attention of the jury.

The jury reserves the right to include a short and unprepared individual part which, for example, provides further information about the level of experience by means of sight-reading or a free improvisation.

Ensemble performances may be completed with the candidate's own rhythm section (the norm for online auditions) or with a rhythm section provided by the university. For the university’s rhythm section (piano, bass, drums) the repertoire must be chosen in such a way that it can be performed on sight from the sheet music provided by the candidate.

Selecting the audition mode
At the Institute Jazz of the HSM/FHNW there is the possibility to complete the audition procedure 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 by March 15 of the application year at the latest. Without a corresponding application, allocation to the face-to-face procedure takes place (subject to COVID measures and regulations then in force at that time).

Preparation for the online audition

• If possible, the online audition should be completed with the candidate’s own ensemble (at least as a duo). The use of a suitable play along as well as solo performances are allowed.
• We recommend the use of an external microphone and possibly an audio interface. For the online procedure we will send you a zoom link by email in good time.
• Pay attention to the best possible conditions for a good transmission quality of the stream, for which we use the platform zoom. We recommend registering in advance at http://zoom.us and familiarizing yourself with the platform.

Guideline for the admission procedure 2021
The admission procedure Master of Arts in Musical Performance Jazz with focus on composition at Academy of Music, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (HSM/FHNW) takes place in several stages:

Video and composition dossiers
A video must be provided presenting at least three pieces of repertoire prepared for the audition as instrumentalist or vocalist with an ensemble and/or solo. Original compositions are welcome as well as pieces from the Great American Songbook.

Together with the video dossier, at least three original compositions from the current compositional output must be provided with audio files in MP3 format and the corresponding scores in PDF format.

Criteria for the creation of the videos

• All excerpts and movements should be recorded completely in their original state and uncut (no editing).
• We recommend using a stereo microphone and placing it carefully. If none is available, you can use the microphone of your camera, computer, or smartphone.
• The video should be shot from a static perspective, your hands and face should be clearly visible.
• Public recordings may be used provided they meet the above criteria (unedited).
• The recordings should be as new as possible, but in any case, not older than one year. When producing new material, make sure that the COVID regulations that apply to you are consistently adhered to.
• 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.
• A private link to the video with the complete composition dossier (MP3 and PDF) must be sent to us by March 15 of the application year to aHNtQGZobncuY2g=.

Pre-selection
Based on the submitted video dossier, the jury decides about the admission to the further procedure. The date for the audition will be announced in case of a positive decision. Rejections are justified with a feedback from the jury.

Audition

Hearing composition

Presentation of 4 notated original compositions with different instrumentations together with audio files and detailed, prepared explanations (colloquium). One of the compositions must be written for the instrumentation of a "large ensemble" (at least sextet). The scores and audio samples must be submitted electronically at least 14 days before the examination date. The presentation may include the same compositions that were submitted for pre-selection.

Ensemble and/or solo performance

Optionally, the jury may require a short instrumental/vocal presentation. Prepare two to three pieces for this and a list of another repertoire with which you are familiar. This repertoire may include the same pieces that are featured in the video dossier.

Ensemble performances may be completed with the candidate's own rhythm section (the norm for online auditions) or with a rhythm section provided by the university. For the university’s rhythm section (piano, bass, drums) the repertoire must be chosen in such a way that it can be performed on sight from the sheet music provided by the candidate.

The duration of the audition (hearing and musical performance) lasts 45 minutes.

Selecting the audition mode
At the Institute Jazz of the HSM/FHNW there is the possibility to complete the audition procedure 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 by March 15 of the application year at the latest. Without a corresponding application, allocation to the face-to-face procedure takes place (subject to COVID measures and regulations then in force at that time).

Preparation for the online audition

• If possible, the online audition should be completed with the candidate’s own ensemble (at least as a duo). The use of a suitable play along as well as solo performances are allowed.
• We recommend the use of an external microphone and possibly an audio interface. For the online procedure we will send you a zoom link by email in good time.
• Pay attention to the best possible conditions for a good transmission quality of the stream, for which we use the platform zoom. We recommend registering in advance at http://zoom.us and familiarizing yourself with the platform.

Guideline for the admission procedure 2021
The admission procedure Master of Arts in Musical Performance Jazz with focus on music production at Academy of Music, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (HSM/FHNW) takes place in several stages:

Video and producing dossiers
A video must be provided presenting at least two pieces of repertoire prepared for the audition as instrumentalist or vocalist in the genre jazz with an ensemble and/or solo. The repertoire can be freely chosen, own compositions are welcome.

Together with the video dossier, a sound file of an independently produced and mixed studio production and/or film/video soundtrack with a short explanation of the production method (PDF) must also be provided.

Criteria for the creation of the videos

• All excerpts and movements should be recorded completely in their original state and uncut (no editing).
• We recommend using a stereo microphone and placing it carefully. If none is available, you can use the microphone of your camera, computer, or smartphone.
• The video should be shot from a static perspective, your hands and face should be clearly visible.
• Public recordings may be used provided they meet the above criteria (unedited).
• The recordings should be as new as possible, but in any case, not older than one year. When producing new material, make sure that the COVID regulations that apply to you are consistently adhered to.
• 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.
• A private link to the video with the complete producing dossier (sound file and PDF) must be sent to us by March 15 of the application year to aHNtQGZobncuY2g=.

Pre-selection
Based on the submitted video dossier, the jury decides about the admission to the further procedure. The date for the audition will be announced in case of a positive decision. Rejections are justified with a feedback from the jury.

Audition

Hearing music production

• Presentation of an independently produced music production (studio mix) and/or a film/video soundtrack on a common media (sound files) with explanations of your production method (colloquium). The presentation may include the same projects that were submitted with the dossiers for the pre-selection.
• Demonstration of basic knowledge in producing based on the presentation of a self-produced piece on a platform of choice (Pro Tools, Ableton Live, Max/MSP or similar). The individual artistic profile should be expressed.

Ensemble and/or solo performance

• Ensemble and/or solo performance of two pieces from a repertoire list prepared by the candidate. The list should include a representative selection of the repertoire mastered by the candidate related to the jazz genre. Original compositions are welcome.

Ensemble performances may be completed with the candidate's own rhythm section (the norm for online auditions) or with a rhythm section provided by the university. For the university’s rhythm section (piano, bass, drums) the repertoire must be chosen in such a way that it can be performed on sight from the sheet music provided by the candidate

• Instrumental or vocal solo improvisation, preferably in combination with live electronics.

The duration of the audition (hearing and musical performance) lasts 45 minutes.

Selecting the audition mode
At the Institute Jazz of the HSM/FHNW there is the possibility to complete the audition procedure 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 by March 15 of the application year at the latest. Without a corresponding application, allocation to the face-to-face procedure takes place (subject to COVID measures and regulations then in force at that time).

Preparation for the online audition

• If possible, the online audition should be completed with the candidate’s own ensemble (at least as a duo). The use of a suitable play along as well as solo performances are allowed.
• We recommend the use of an external microphone and possibly an audio interface. For the online procedure we will send you a zoom link by email in good time.
• Pay attention to the best possible conditions for a good transmission quality of the stream, for which we use the platform zoom. We recommend registering in advance at http://zoom.us and familiarizing yourself with the platform.