Bachelor of Arts FHNW in Musik, Studienrichtung Komposition
Study mode
Full time
ECTS points
180
Start of semester
Beginning of September
Duration
6 semesters
Teaching language
German, B1 level in German required
Place
Campus Musik-Akademie Basel
Stay abroad
Possible, not curricular
Application fee
200 CHF
Semester fee
700 CHF for Swiss citizens and students with legal place of residence in Switzerland | 1000 CHF for students from EU-/EFTA-countries | 1250 CHF for students from third countries
Students of the FHNW Bachelor of Arts in Music with a Composition major acquire experience in all important aspects of composition. The study programme encompasses analyses of contemporary music and the reflective teaching of compositional techniques, as well as practical work in a variety of projects, such as workshops and concert performances of the students’ own works.
Overview
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.
Admission criteria In order to enter the FHNW Bachelor of Arts in Music programme with a Composition major, applicants must hold a school-leaving qualification (Baccalaureate, Professional Baccalaureate or equivalent) as well as they have to have passed the entrance exam and were offered a free place at the Academy (limited places). Applicants who have submitted all the necessary registration documents in time will be invited to the written exam by mail and the video meeting. For further information on the admission criteria, please see the Studienreglement of the Bachelor of Arts FHNW in Musik.
Language skills We expect students to have very good German language skills at the beginning of the studies. Students who are not German native speakers must present a B1 German language certificate according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) at the beginning of the studies.
Entrance exam Theentrance exam is split into several parts.
Procedure of the entrance exam Written exam by mail (duration approx. four hours)
Short compositional exercise. 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 20th/21st century (preparation time one hour).
Online oral exam (Zoom)
Quick oral presentation (ca. 5-6 minutes) of an example of the submitted composing works.
You will listen to an example from the 20th/21st century and report explicitly on the techniques, pitches, rhythms, timbres, etc.
Ear training test about the candidates´ essential perception of the pitch, rhythms and timbres of the examples necessary for composition. The test may also be linked to the hearing example and the submitted works.
Brief music theory test
Conversation with the Jury
Dates The live auditions will take place at the end of April. The exact dates may be seen here.
Registration You may apply between the 15th December and the 15th February. Along with the registration, it is mandatory to submit the following documents:
A curriculum Vitae, a motivational letter/a short biography
the school leaving qualification.
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.
A recording of a short, chosen work played on the piano or another instrument
Upload your video onto youtube and add the link in the registration tool. Please also add the worklist in the registration tool.
Announcement of the results The results will be communicated by mail in May.
Cultivating a creative approach to music composition through the exploration of instrumental, vocal, performance and electronic aesthetics and forms of ...
