Composition

The FHNW Bachelor of Arts in Music with a Composition major lays the educational foundations for a career as a professional composer.

The aim of the study programme is to nurture and produce versatile and multifaceted musical personalities. To this end, students will gain extensive experience in all areas of composition, learn to master different compositional techniques, and acquire the ability to critically assess their own artistic processes and output.

In addition to solid general music education knowledge and skills, students will be able to demonstrate the ability to analyse, as well as write and speak competently about the practice of music in general. They will also acquire a range of other skills that will qualify them for a career as a professional composer. A FHNW Bachelor of Arts in Music constitutes pathway to postgraduate study, e.g. a Master’s degree programme.

The FHNW Bachelor of Arts in Music with a Composition major is an undergraduate degree programme aimed at students who wish to pursue a career as a professional composer.

The FHNW Bachelor of Arts in Music with a Composition major is not a professional qualification. Those wishing to pursue a career as a professional composer must follow up their undergraduate studies with a Master’s degree programme in composition/music theory or another programme that leads to the necessary professional qualification.

Core curriculum

Major module (125 CP):
Individual tuition in composition
Individual tuition in music theory
Seminar on Composition/Music theory (Kolloquium)
Analysis, Comp/MT major (different eras)
Analysis, Comp/MT major (20th/21st century)
Composition
Introduction to the history of music notation
Instrumentation
Electronic music – aesthetics and technology
Music acoustics (for Composition/Music Theory major)

Complementary courses

Practical module (20 CP):
Choir/chamber choir
Piano (compulsory)
Improvisation
Movement

Theory module, applied (18 CP):
Ear training II + III
Ear training (for Comp/MT major); advanced ear training
Musical form
Early music performance

Theory module (15 CP):
Music teaching
Musical acoustics
Organology
History of music
Music research

Elective courses

Personalised module (2 CP):
Courses/activities chosen from the elective courses available.

Detailed module description

Structure

In order to be considered for entry to the FHNW Bachelor of Arts in Music programme with a Composition 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. They must also pass the entrance examination and win a place on the programme (numbers are limited).
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 language from the outset (e.g. German B1 certificate).

General information about the entrance exam, aptitude test and exam dates can be found on the Entrance Exams page.

Submission (by 15th February 2022)

• A short biography
• At least three compositions (may be submitted optionally as MP3 a/o video in addition to the PDF)
• A written analysis (pattern and extent of choice)
• Optional: further exercises in stylistic composition, concepts, digital music programmes, projects, essays, documentation, music-theoretical/scientific research papers, etc.

The entrance exam is divided into three parts:

Written exam (duration approx. four hours) by mail

Short compositional exercise by mail. The exercise is based on various materials or concepts (you may also choose from electronical materials). In case of electronic concepts, you must submit a sound file including a written documentation.

Written analysis of a short movement from the 20^th/21^st century (preparation time one hour) by mail.

Oral exam

• Quick oral presentation of an example of the submitted composing works by video*
• Online meeting

If necessary, on-site:

• You will listen to an example from the 20^th/21^st century and report explicitly on the techniques, pitches, rhythms, timbres, etc.
• Conversation
• Ear training (only for BA)
  Written and oral exam of ear training corresponding to the level of the Bachelor instrumental/vocal at the end of the first year.

*=Upload your video onto youtube and insert the link to your list of works. Please upload the list of works or send it by mail to cmVnaXN0cmF0aW9uLmhzbUBmaG53LmNo by 15^th Februaray 2022.

Ear training test
Written and oral test. The level of difficulty corresponds to that of the ear training test at the end of the first year of the Bachelor of Arts in Music with a Vocal/Instrumental major.

Examples (in German):

• Harmonisch mündlich
  
• Schriftliche Prüfung Lösung
  
• Schriftliche Prüfung Lückenpartitur
  
• Info Dispenstest Gehörbildung Stufe 1
  
• Mozart- und Haydn- Lieder
  

Example Examination Assignments Composition (in German):

• Klausur Komposition 2012
  
• Klausur Komposition 2013
  
• Klausur Komposition 2014
  
• Klausur Komposition 2015
  
• Klausur Komposition 2016
  

Audio example (in German):

• Analyse Hörbeispiel
  

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

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