Immersion in the multifaceted world of contemporary music performance
Key data
Degree
Master of Arts FHNW in Spezialisierter Musikalischer Performance, Zeitgenössische Musik
ECTS points
120
Start of semester
Beginning of September
Studying mode
Full time
Duration
4 semesters
Teaching language
German/English
Place
Campus Musik-Akademie Basel
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
Information on the entrance examination: www.fhnw.ch/music/entrance-exams
The Contemporary Music Major offers students the opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of contemporary music performance and develop their individual artistry. The advanced nature of the curriculum requires excellent instrumental and/or vocal proficiency, as well as prior knowledge and experience of contemporary music performance. The in-depth, wide-ranging engagement with the subject coupled with a strong collaborative focus equips students to pursue a professional performance career, whether in a solo capacity or as part of a chamber music or larger music ensemble, locally, nationally and internationally.
Study and schedule Alongside their tutoring duties, the programme's artistic directors help students create their personalised study programme and support them at every stage of the Master's thesis process. They also advise students on the choice of lecturers for their individual classes, offered either within the School of Music or in other parts of Europe. As part of the Contemporary Music Major, students will also take theory, communication and marketing classes at the FHNW School of Music. They will work with sonic space basel to develop concert and performance projects, which will ultimately be staged at national and international festivals. Collaboration and interdisciplinarity are core components of the curriculum.
zone expérimentale – the contemporary chamber music ensemble In addition to basic practical and theoretical training, collaboration with the 'zone expérimentale' ensemble on contemporary chamber music is a central focus of the Contemporary Music Major. As well as working with tutors from around the world, students will regularly hone their contemporary collective practice at the Studio/LAB for Contemporary Music. They will also have the opportunity to attend workshops, seminars, masterclasses and colloquia hosted and given by their Contemporary Music Major tutors and/or guest lecturers.
Overview
The FHNW Master of Arts in Specialised Music Performance (MA SP) with a Contemporary Music Major is a consecutive graduate programme that in formal terms builds on the skills gained at Bachelor level. Due to the high degree of specialisation required, as a rule it follows on from an MA in Music Pedagogy or an MA in Music Performance. The core competencies acquired prior to this programme are here pursued to a level that matches the highest international standards; those skills are consolidated in the specific disciplines listed below so that exceptional standards may be achieved on the national and international concert stage and at competitions.
The FHNW Master of Arts in Specialised Music Performance (MA SP) with a Contemporary Music Major is aimed at musicians who wish to build on their comprehensive instrumental/vocal training by specialising in the field of the Contemporary Music, with a view to a career in this field.
The FHNW Master of Arts in Specialised Music Performance (MA SP) with a Contemporary Music Major equips students to pursue a career as a professional performer in a contemporary music ensemble or in the open music scene. It also provides them with the knowledge and skills to set up their own ensembles, design and curate concert series and other performance formats, and successfully market their ventures on both analogue and digital platforms.
Major module (76 CP):
Tutoring in New Music Instrument/voice Studio/LAB for Contemporary Music Composer-performer collaboration
Complementary courses (practice, theory, music in context) 40CP
Chamber music, new chamber music, ensembles Concert and competition work, projects with sonic space basel Interpretationsforum, Colloquium 48 Context-specific events and activities
In principle, the FHNW Master of Arts programme in Specialised Music Performance with a Contemporary Music Major follows on from an MA in Performance/Music Pedagogy with an Instrumental Major. In exceptional cases, applicants with a Bachelor degree or equivalent undergraduate qualification may be invited to sit the entrance examination. Applicants must not only pass the entrance examination but also win a place on the programme (numbers are limited). Only applicants who have submitted the required registration documentation duly completed and on time will be invited to take the entrance examination.
General information about the entrance exam, aptitude test and exam dates can be found on the Entrance Exams page.
Admission criteria
Excellent knowledge of the “classical/classic” repertoire on own instrument.
High instrumental proficiency.
Independent, artistic ability and high level of motivation to develop and hone an individual repertoire.
High level of motivation to engage with different forms of contemporary music and their aesthetic, technical and historical context.
Entrance examination
To be submitted by PDF
Motivational letter / personal statement
CV
List of works with the works/movements/excerpts of the video
Wishlist with five chamber music works that you want to acquire during the study course
To be submitted by video
Programme of 30-40 minutes:
Not less than three works of the 20th/21st century (various genres) of which at least one must be from the past 20 years
One representative work from the classic classical repertoire
Video specifications:
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.
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 15th February at the latest.
