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Composition

An opportunity for talented composers to achieve the highest level of specialisation

Key data

Degree: Master of Arts FHNW in Spezialisierter Musikalischer Performance, Komposition
ECTS points: 120
Start of semester: Beginning of September
Studying mode: Full time
Duration: 4 semesters
Teaching language: German, A2 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

The FHNW Master of Arts in Specialised Music Performance with a Composition Major is aimed at highly advanced composers who, building on the appropriate competencies acquired through successfully completing a professional qualification in composition, would like to specialize at the highest level and are striving to position themselves as an individual voice in the greater context of the contemporary music scene.

Independent project work

Apart from the obligatory principal subjects, the content of the curriculum will be tailored individually. Students are therefore expected to enrol for a comprehensive range of elective subjects, only some of which are in predetermined combinations (depending on the context). Students of the FHNW MA in Specialised Music Performance with a Composition Major are given the space to engage in comprehensive activities in large-scale projects on an independent basis, both on and off campus and can individually configure their study program. On campus, students encounter other highly advanced students from the areas of Performance, Audio Design and Improvisation. The students make significant contributions to the overarching discourse between the different classes through interdisciplinary group projects. Students also have the option of using the Electronic Studio as the focal point of their studies.

Course description

Admission criteria
In order to enter the FHNW Master of Arts in Specialized Musical Performance programme with a Composition Major, applicants must be awarded a Bachelor in Composition 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 and have passed the first round of the entrance exam will be invited to play a live audition.
For further information on the admission criteria, please see the Studienreglement of the Master of Arts FHNW in Specialized Music Performance.

Language Skills
We expect students to have sufficient German language skills at the beginning of the studies. Students who are not German native speakers must present a A2 German language certificate according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) at the beginning of the studies.

Entrance exam
The entrance exam is split into several parts.

Procedure
Written exam by mail (duration approx. four hours)
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 20th/21st century (preparation time one hour) by mail.
Oral exam via video conference/Zoom
Quick oral presentation (5-6 minutes) of an example of the submitted composing works by video
You will listen to an example from the 20th/21st century and report explicitly on the techniques, pitches, rhythms, timbres, etc.
Conversation with the Jury

Dates
The entrance exam by mail and the zoom meeting will take place at the end of April. The exact dates may be seen here.

Registration
You may apply between 15th December and 15th February. Along with the registration, it is mandatory to submit the following documents:
- A short biography
- the school leaving qualification, the Bachelor Diploma
- In case that the applicant already holds a Master Diploma, we also need a copy of that.
- 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

Upload your video onto YouTube and add the link in the registration tool.

Announcement of the results
The results will be communicated by mail in May.

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

Admission criteria

Excellent grounding in composition and/or music theory
Great potential to develop a distinctive artistic identity capable of taking an analytical and reflective approach to one’s work
List of works and/or list of theoretical and analytical works and publications
Ability to engage reflectively with music and to contextualise one’s own thought and ideas within a historical-sociological framework)
Particular aptitude for academic study and artistic research-based work

Entrance examination

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.

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 February 2022.