Composing music in the contemporary musical language was an essential skill for all well-qualified musicians until well into the 19th century. The improvisational approach played a decisive role in the programme and forms the basis of the master’s degree in Improvisation at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis. Improvisation in its various forms is central to historical music practice. This is where almost all the skills acquired in early music flow together. In addition to contemporary descriptions and methods, traditional compositions are essential and often the only sources for the unscripted practice of certain epochs. Stylistic composition is therefore a central element of the degree programme, as are improvisation in the ensemble, questions of methodological teaching and performance-related aspects.
Factsheet
- Degree
- Master of Arts FHNW in Spezialisierter Musikalischer Performance, Studienrichtung Alte Musik Improvisation instrumental
- Study mode
- Full-time
- Learning mode
- Onsite
- ECTS credits
- 120
- Duration
- 4 semesters
- Teaching language
- level B1 in German is required
- Stay abroad
- Possible
- Application fee
- 200 CHF
- Semester fee
- 750 CHF (CH) | 1000 CHF (EU/EFTA) | 1250 CHF (Not-EU/Not-EFTA)
At a glance
- Deepening knowledge of historical compositional theory, the thoroughbass and historical sources, and communicating in improvisation and composition in a reflective, creative and artistically convincing manner.
- Developing the highest technical skills and personal creativity in order to express yourself in a stylistically differentiated manner in improvisational and compositional discourse.
Why study this?
This programme is aimed particularly at keyboard instrumentalists who are advanced not only technically but also in their ability to improvise according to historically informed criteria. Players of melody instruments may also be accepted on this programme, if they show a special talent and affinity for improvisation.
Graduates can make improvisation and composition in styles from the 16th to 18th centuries a centrepiece of their concert programmes and apply these in their work as a professional ensemble director/continuo player. In addition, for those working as lecturers, teachers and tutors, the historically-informed and methodically reflected approach to improvisation and composition in different Early Music styles, which they have acquired during their studies, will form a central component of their work as educators.
Structure and programme contents
Historically informed improvisation
Until well into the 19th century, among the many talents well-qualified musicians had to have was the ability to perform in the musical idiom of the time. This also formed an essential part of the improvisational training they received.
In addition to contemporary accounts and methods, the compositions which have been passed down through the centuries constitute important, and often the only, sources for unwritten musical practices of certain eras. Consequently, stylistically-informed composition is a core part of this study programme.
This specialized Master’s programme also focuses on improvisation within an ensemble, as well as issues pertaining to the sharing of methodological expertise and performance practice (clarity, sound aesthetics, contact with the public, stage presence).
Improvisation in all its variants – for keyboard players, practically all forms of solo repertoire; for players of melody instruments particularly ornamentation, diminution, variations and cadences – is a central element of historical performance practice. Ideally, this is where all the specific knowledge and competence gained in the field of Early Music flows together to create an exciting realm of ‘composition in performance’. The Schola Cantorum Basiliensis (SCB) offers a unique combination of courses in practical improvisation, history, and historical composition techniques, which have been developed and refined over the course of its degree programmes.
The aim of this programme is to provide students with the ability to improvise with a high degree of stylistic differentiation, as well as attaining knowledge of historic composition techniques and thoroughbass, advanced instrument proficiency, and individual musical creativity.
Modules and regulations
The BA and MA degree programmes at the Basel Academy of Music are based on modules.
The legally binding structure provides an initial guide to the content and weighting of the subjects on the degree programme.
The detailed content and modalities of the individual subjects can be found in the module descriptions.
The study regulations come into force together with the study and examination regulations of the Basel Academy of Music FHNW and form the legal framework.
Structure
Module descriptions
Study Regulations
Lecturers
Dirk Börner
Emmanuel Le Divellec
Sven Schwannberger
Markus Schwenkreis
Schola Cantorum Basiliensis
Requirements, admission, entrance exam
We expect students to have good German language skills at the beginning of the studies. Students who are not German native speakers must present at least a B1 German language certificate (according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)) at the beginning of the studies.
Admission Criteria
Entrance exam
The entrance exam is individual for each study programme direction.
Dates
Procedure
Organisational matters
Quicklinks
Files and Regulations
Advising and information events
Contact
Prof. C. Federico Sepúlveda
- Phone
- +41 61 261 57 57
Information events
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Registration
The next registration window is open from 15th December to 31th January.