Training the professional music theorists of tomorrow
Key data
Degree
Bachelor of Arts FHNW in Musik, Studienrichtung Musiktheorie
Study mode
Full time
ECTS points
180
Start of semester
Beginning of September
Duration
6 semesters
Teaching language
German, C1 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
Registration
The application window is open from mid-December to the end of February. Information days on the degree programmes are held in mid-January. More information about the info days at musikstudium-basel.ch
The core aim of the FHNW Bachelor of Arts in Music with a Music Theory major is to provide students with broad-based skills in music theory, a comprehensive knowledge of the literature and repertoire, the capacity to engage reflectively with different compositional techniques and musical styles, and above all the ability to present artistic content in a practical, musical form and to competently express this in words. The Music Theory major students can choose to specialise in one of two fields:
Contemporary music/composition is offered in conjunction with the Musicology Department of Basel University. Although the main focus is on 20th and 21st century music, the course also explores the historical and compositional fundamentals of earlier centuries. Early music/ historical techniques of composition is offered in conjunction with the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis and the Musicology Department of Basel University. The course allows for a more in-depth engagement with the theory of early music. Students will take classes on one of the two courses of their major at the Schola Cantorum, as well as a number of additional courses, such as notation and partimento playing.
Overview
The FHNW Bachelor of Arts in Music with a Music Theory major lays the educational foundations for a career as a professional music theorist. 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 to pursue a career in music. A FHNW Bachelor of Arts in Music constitutes a pathway to postgraduate study, e.g. a Master’s degree programme
The FHNW Bachelor of Arts in Music with a Composition major is a degree programme aimed at students who wish to pursue a career as a professional music theorist.
The FHNW Bachelor of Arts in Music with a Music Theory major is not a professional qualification. Students must follow up their undergraduate studies with a Master’s degree programme in Music Pedagogy with a Music Theory major or another programme that leads to the necessary professional qualification.
Core curriculum
Major module (124 CP): Individual tuition I Individual tuition II Composition Musicology Seminar on Composition/Music theory (Kolloquium) Analysis, Comp/MT major (different eras) Analysis, Comp/MT major (20th/21st century) Thoroughbass Score reading Introduction to the history of music notation Instrumentation Music acoustics (for Composition/Music Theory major) History of music theory
Complementary courses
Practical module (20 CP): Choir/chamber choir Piano (compulsory) Improvisation Movement
Theory module, applied (18 CP): Ear training 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(3 CP): Courses/activities chosen from the elective courses available
Schola Cantorum Basiliensis (early music/historical techniques of composition stream)
In order to be considered for entry to the FHNW Bachelor of Arts in Music programme with a Music Theory 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.
Due to the Covid19 pandemic, a video with the required repertoire must be submitted with the application by 28th February 2021.
Portfolio (to be submitted 6 weeks prior to the entrance exam):
a short biography
a written analysis (format and length of applicant’s choosing)
stylistic exercises
optional: stylistic exercises, sketches, computer-music programmes, projects, essays, other documentation, music theory/musicological research etc.
The entrance exam is divided into three parts:
Written exam (approx. four hours):
Forms of composition
four-part harmony: section of a chorale
harmonising a folk song (free piano accompaniment)
harmonic and formal analysis of a work dating from the 1700-1900 period
short essay on a topic provided
Oral exam & audition (approx. 40 min.):
for the contemporary music/composition stream: analysis of a brief movement from 20th/21st century (preparation time: 60 mins)
for the early music/historical techniques of composition stream: analysis of a pre-1700 composition (preparation time: 60 mins)
listening assignment: detailed commentary (e.g. techniques used, pitch, rhythms and timbres) on an audio recording of a piece of music from the 20th/21st century
performance on the piano of two short pieces of moderate to high difficulty chosen by the applicant; sight-reading of a Bach chorale in treble and bass clefs
for the early music/historical techniques of composition stream: playing of a simple thoroughbass
optional: second instrument audition
discussion with the interview panel
Ear training test Written and oral test. The level of difficulty corresponds to that of the ear training test at the end of the second year of the Bachelor of Arts in Music with a Vocal/Instrumental major.
