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Music Theory Major

Training the professional music theorists of tomorrow

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 20^th and 21^st 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

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

Detailed module description

Structure

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).

Teaching staff

Our internationally renowned teaching staff

to teaching staff

Admission process

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 20^th/21^st 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 20^th/21^st 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.