Master of Arts in Music Pedagogy - Early Music Instrument /Voice
Historically-informed study of music pedagogy
Key data
Degree
Master of Arts FHNW in Musikpädagogik – Alte Musik instrumental / vokal
ECTS points
120
Start of semester
in autumn
Duration
4 semesters
Teaching language
German (level B1 is required)
Place
Campus Musik-Akademie Basel
Application fee
200 CHF
Semester fee
800 CHF for Swiss citizens and foreigners with legal place of residence in Switzerland | 1000 CHF for students from EU-/EFTA-countries | 1250 CHF for students from third countries
Once relegated to the cultural fringes, Early Music has been enjoying a sustained revival, as evidenced, among others, by its inclusion in the music pedagogy study programmes offered by music schools and universities.
The Schola Cantorum Basiliensis (SCB), together with the FHNW School of Music (HSM), offers a Master’s degree in Music Pedagogy with an Early Music specialization. Teaching methodology specific to Early Music as well as courses in the major subject take place at the SCB, while the HSM is responsible for the general music pedagogy courses. Alongside teacher training, the programme also nurtures the students’ own artistic development as a harmonious combination of these two aspects, one that is essential for a truly effective and fruitful pedagogical qualification. Students will also acquire a sound background in theoretical and practical subjects relevant to Early Music.
What sets certain major instruments (baroque bassoon, baroque oboe, recorder, harpsichord, voice, lute, organ, viola de gamba) apart from others is a current and ongoing demand for teachers of these instruments. Consequently, the SCB offers these majors as part of its regular MA in Music Pedagogy programme. Other instrumental majors that exist in a modern form (violin, cello, fortepiano, flute, trombone etc.) are only offered through the SCB under special conditions and generally require a previous Master's degree on the modern instrument.Such holders of a recognised Master’s degree may, in close consultation with the FHNW School of Music, tailor their Music Pedagogy studies to their chosen instrument. The relevant instrumental teaching methodology classes are dispensed by the HSM.
Please note that the SCB may not offer the MA programme in Music Pedagogy every year.
Overview
The MA programme in Music Pedagogy is geared towards students who wish to add teaching qualifications to a well-founded course of study as a practising musician. Essential prerequisites are an interest in teaching and a flair for communication, as well as conversational fluency in the German language.
The aim of this Master’s degree programme is to develop the independent artistic personality of instrumentalists and singers with excellent musical and technical ability, both as soloists and ensemble performers. It also imparts specific knowledge of music theory and history pertinent to Early Music, which will equip students to make independent and well-founded decisions about performance practice and aesthetics. This artistic and intellectual autonomy is necessary in order to succeed in a market which is dominated less by traditional institutional employers and more by an interest in the creativity and persuasiveness of individual musicians.
Holders of an MA in Music Pedagogy with an Early Music specialisation are equipped to share and teach their specialist knowledge and skills within music school and upper-secondary settings.
The MA in Music Pedagogy with an Early Music specialisation offered by the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis enables students to provide professional instrumental/singing tuition at music schools and at the upper-secondary level. Generally speaking, teaching positions are rare in this highly specialised field. The one notable exception is recorder teaching, which remains in demand among the amateur musician community and draws on a repertoire that extends beyond Early Music.
To be admitted to the Master’s programme, applicants must hold a Bachelor degree in Music/Music and Movement or an equivalent qualification.
Applicants who have failed any part of their Bachelor degree programme may be provisionally admitted to the Master’s programme under the condition that they successfully resit the relevant exam(s) by the end of the first MA semester. In order to be accepted for study, enough billable ECTS credit points must be available to fulfil all requirements of the diploma programme. For the Master's degree the minimum is 30 ECTS credit points. Applicants must declare any ECTS credits they have acquired from a previous course of study that they had failed to complete.
The admission procedure requires applicants pass an aptitude test.
The admission procedure breaks down as follows:
Verification that the applicant meets all formal admission criteria
Admission to the aptitude test
Aptitude test (entrance exam)
Decision on admission.
Admission shall be granted for the academic year to which the aptitude test applies. This test may be retaken no more than once per degree programme/major, but no earlier than the next official aptitude test date.
Places on the degree programme are limited; a quota is set for first-year admissions. Based on the framework regulations governing student intake restrictions for Bachelor and Master’s degree programmes at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts (FHNW), the FHNW Academy of Music shall make its final selection based on the level and comparative ranking of the applicants' examination results.
The entrance exams consist of a first round "by video" and a second round with on-site auditions.
First round/Video recordings
Video recordings must be handed in as part of the application.
Content: Please prepare 3 pieces that present a selection of different stylistic fields. Use the repertoire samples as a guide. Applicants must perform on period instruments or replicas thereof in the entrance exams. List the information on your “list of works”.
Form: three separate uncut videos of music (one per piece)
Total length of the videos together: 15 – max. 20 minutes.
Date: The recordings should usually be new and prepared for the entrance exams. Published videos only uncut and not older than six months.
(Continuo-)Accompaniment: is requested. You can work with people from your own setting.
Technical requirements:
Camera Position: Please record the video from a fixed point of view, ideally using a tripod. The hands and the face of the candidate / musician plus the instrument must be visible.
Audio: We recommend using a separate stereo microphone and placing it properly (If necessary, you may also use the microphone of a camera, computer, or smartphone).
Transmission:
Video Platform: Please upload your three videos unlisted to Youtube. (exception: candidates from China may use a corresponding alternative platform).
Create a “list of works” with the information on the pieces played including the corresponding Youtube links.
Please also enter the Youtube links in the registration tool.
Please ensure that the videos are accessible until end of June 2023.
Submit the list of works with the rest of your application or send it via email to cmVnaXN0cmF0aW9uLmhzbUBmaG53LmNo by 31 January.
Only applicants considered for the second round will be invited to an on-site audition.
Audition plus interview: Please prepare a programme of 15 to max. 20 minutes with pieces from at least three different stylistic fields. Also use the repertoire samples as a guide. The programme may be identical to the one of the video. The candidate may choose the first piece. Then, the jury will decide which works to play and is allowed to interrupt the audition at any time. Afterwards, there will be a short conversation about the study objectives and contents as well as the applicant´s prior education, experience and career goals, the preferred professor, etc.
The general section of the entrance exam (theory) and proof of proficiency on a keyboard instrument take place on the same day, usually before or after the on-site audition for the main subject (duration: 20 min.).
sing and identify intervals played on the harpsichord (closed and open position)
active singing of intervals above or below a given pitch
sing and identify seventh chords (7, 5/6, 3/4/6, 2/4/6)
Dictation: sing and notate a two-voice setting (soprano and bass)
identify the chords (preferably figured bass; modern harmony also acceptable)
Improvisation: sing a continuation of the dictated melody
Sight-sing a melody of medium difficulty from the 17th or 18th century, notated in treble or bass clef
Performance of a prepared, short piece of your choice on the harpsichord (not required for those with major keyboard or plucked instruments)
Pedagogical exam: The pedagogical entrance exam can only be taken if the artistic entrance exam was successful and lasts 30'. During an interview, essential prerequisites for the study of music pedagogy are examined, especially the motivation and the pedagogical ideas of the candidate. Other elements of the entrance exam depend on the background of the candidate. They are determined by the jury itself and communicated in advance.
Date
The on-site auditions will take place from 13 March to 6 April. The exact dates may be seen here after the beginning of January 2023.
Registration
You may apply from 15 December 22 until 31 January 23.
The following documents must be handed in with your application: Curriculum Vitae including motivational letter, school leaving qualification (Matura, Abitur, Baccalauréat, High School-Diploma), Bachelor Diploma and a German Language Certificate (B1). If the applicant already holds a Master Diploma, please include.
Announcement of the results
The results of the first round will be communicated by email by the end of February. The results of the second round will be communicated by email in May.
