Instrumental/Vocal

The FHNW Bachelor of Arts in Music is a pre-professional music training programme which aims to develop and produce versatile and multifaceted musical personalities. Graduates should be able to demonstrate an assured instrumental/vocal technique, as well as sound knowledge and solid skills in relation to general music education. They should also be capable of critical thinking on the subject of music and possess the other skills that will qualify them for employment as a professional musician.

The FHNW Bachelor of Arts in Music is a degree programme aimed at talented instrumentalists and vocalists who have excellent prior knowledge of their chosen discipline, and are already familiar with music theory and ear training.

The FHNW Bachelor of Arts in Music is not a professional qualification. Those seeking a career as a music teacher, orchestral musician or soloist must follow up their undergraduate studies with a Master’s degree programme in their chosen field of specialisation.

A FHNW Bachelor of Arts in Music opens up further education opportunities at other universities for the arts, teacher education universities or research/doctoral universities.

Kernbereich

Core curriculum
Major module (108 CP):
Individual and group tuition
Chamber music
Major-specific courses/regulations

Complementary courses
Practical Module (20 CP):
Choir/Chamber choir
Piano (compulsory)
Improvisation
Movement

Theory module, applied (32 CP):
Ear training
Composition
Analysis
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 an instrumental or vocal 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.

A video must be submitted with the application, which replaces the on-site entrance examination. If necessary, the candidate may exceptionally be invited to perform physically on location, in which case she/he can perform the identical repertoire as in the submitted video.
The final results will be communicated at the end of April.

• The video should be between at least 15 minutes up to a maximum of 30 minutes. It should contain a representative selection of the repertoire requirements.
• All works must be recorded completely, unedited and without any cuts.
• The works or movements may be submitted as single videos
• We recommend using a suitable stereo microphone and place it conveniently. If necessary, you may also use the microphone of a camera, computer, or smartphone.
• Please record the video from a fixed point of view. The hands and the face of the musician must be visible
• Publicly recorded concerts may be submitted as long as they correspond to the above-mentioned requirements (no cuts) and as long as they are not older than 6 months
• Please upload the video onto Youtube and send us the link including your list of work by mail
• Please add the list of works to your application or send it by mail to cmVnaXN0cmF0aW9uLmhzbUBmaG53LmNo until 15^th February at the latest.

The entrance exam is divided into three parts (in two parts for applicants who have chosen to major in piano). The requirements are as follows:

Major:
Applicants must prepare compositions from three different periods (including one from either the 20^th or 21^st century).
Applicants who have chosen a vocal major must provide an expert phoniatric assessment.
Additional information to these general requirements can be found in the repertoire requirements for each major.

Theory
Relative pitch test; ability to perform non-instrumental musical processes as well as basic knowledge of music theory: listening to, singing and identifying intervals, note sequences, chords and rhythms; sight-singing of a chromatic and an atonal melody; ability to identify rhythm patterns from sight; vocal improvisation; melodic dictation.

Detailed information on the hearing test
Example of a hearing test

The compulsory hearing test including the piano exam will take place for the accepted candidates in September. Failure to pass the hearing test results in a provisional admission to the HSM.

Piano proficiency
All non-pianists must demonstrate a minimum level of piano proficiency.

Requirements for the Piano proficeiency

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