The study of music from the Medieval-Renaissance period encompasses works dating from around 900 to 1530, and up to 1600 in specific cases.
Achieving the highest level of proficiency as an instrumental or vocal soloist is an important goal of this Master’s programme. Given that ensemble playing is integral to medieval and Renaissance music, the study programme also focuses on nurturing excellent ensemble musicianship, allowing students to acquire the skills needed to put their musical knowledge and expertise into practice in ensemble performance and direction.
Course description
The core curriculum dovetails theory-based subjects essential for the study of music from the medieval and Renaissance eras with practice-based courses and exercises.
The in-depth study of a specialist subject from the period as well as the writing of a Master’s thesis provide students with an opportunity to demonstrate their academic research skills and their ability to apply these in practice.
The Schola Cantorum Basiliensis is a world-renowned centre for the study and practice of medieval and Early Renaissance music. The programme focuses on improving students’ mastery of medieval and early Renaissance instruments and vocal techniques, coupled with an in-depth study of Early Music repertoires and extensive exposure to historical improvisation practices. At the same time, students acquire an excellent foundation in music theory and history, which in turn will inform their own musical practice. Thanks to its exceptionally talented teaching staff and students, the Medieval Department of the SCB offers an array of ensemble-playing opportunities. As a result, students are able to develop their artistic autonomy and gather valuable practical experience working with historical source materials and notations.
In addition to singing, this Early Music Master’s programme is offered for the following instruments:
Medieval plucked string instruments: plectrum lute, harp etc.
Medieval keyboard instruments: organetto, clavicytherium, clavicymbalum etc.
Medieval string instruments: vielle (da braccio and da gamba) etc.
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 defined less by traditional institutional employers and more by an interest in the creativity and persuasiveness of individual musicians.
The primary aim of this Master’s programme is to hone the students’ instrumental and vocal proficiency as well as their ability to work as part of an ensemble. Furthermore, independent academic work and the students’ artistic/creative output are fostered through a yearly project on a subject specific to medieval-Renaissance music and under the supervision of a member of the teaching staff. A Master’s thesis provides proof of the candidate’s capacity to deal with a subject in a scholarly and reflective manner.
This SCB Master’s programme is aimed at students (instrumental/vocal) who are highly qualified and prepared to dedicate themselves to a course of study in historical performance practice that meets the highest artistic standards. Prerequisites are: talent, high level of ability (voice/instrument) as well as potential for further artistic development, experience in Early Music and an interest in the historical foundations underpinning its practice.
This Master’s programme is aimed at students who hold a very good Bachelor of Arts with a specialisation in medieval/Renaissance music from the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis, as well as those who have studied elsewhere but have a solid grounding in the theory and practice of Early Music. The focus of the study programme is European music from Carolingian period until the 16th century.
Career opportunities for medieval-Renaissance music specialists include performance work in concert, festival and Early Music concert series settings. As expert ensemble musicians, they are qualified to play with existing ensembles or establish their own ensemble. A number of graduates opt to pursue a career in academic research, while others choose to share their experience and expertise in workshops and masterclasses.
Core curriculum (CP 80)
Major module
Major subject: individual and group tuition
Ensemble practicum and direction
Major-specific courses/regulations
Minor module (1-4)
Second instrument/voice lessons
Complementary courses (CP 20)
Music Theory module, foundation level (28 CP)
Ear training M-R, or modal improvisation, or Gregorian chant I
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 to 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 accessiblefor four months..
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) takes place on the same day, usually before or after the on-site audition for the main subject (duration: 20 min.).
sing and identify intervals, tone sequences and simple chords.
sing and notate a simple tonal melody (e.g.: a tenor)
improvise a continuation to the dictated melody with your voice and, if possible, sing a simple contrapuntal counterpart to it.
answer questions about tonality and the function of the melody in the movement
sight-sing a simple vocal part from modern notation (e.g. from a chanson)
Minor
For a Minor second instrument, the requirements are generally the same as for the main subject but with the following changes:
Please prepare two separate uncut videos of music from the requested repertoire for main subject
The videos should last about 10 minutes in total.
The Minor exam takes place together with the examinations for the main subjects. Please keep the corresponding date (see list of entrance exams per main subject) free in any case.
The entrance examinations for the Minor in improvisation will take place at the same date as the exam for improvisation as a main subject.
Date
The on-site auditions will take place between mid-March and mid-April. The exact dates may be seen here after the beginning of January.
Registration
You may apply from 15 December 22 until 31 January.
The following documents must be handed in with your application: Curriculum Vitae including motivational letter, school leaving qualification (Matura, Abitur, Baccalauréat, High School-Diploma) and Bachelor Diploma. 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.
