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 specialised 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.
Overview
Strengthening historically informed improvisation in the context of practical performance leads to new impulses in historical performance and creates a bridge to contemporary forms of improvised music. Graduates of this programme will be capable of presenting creative performances based on historical criteria. An intentional ‘side-effect’ of this programme is to establish a new, creative approach to existing ‘monuments’ of music literature, and to achieve an up-to-date, dynamic attitude towards our musical heritage.
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.
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.
General information about the entrance exam, aptitude test and exam dates can be found on the Entrance Exams page.
The aptitude test is divided into two parts: a music theory examination and a Major-specific audition. Both are 20 minutes long.
Master of Arts FHNW in Spezialisierter Musikalischer Performance - Studienrichtung Alte Musik Improvisation instrumental
ECTS points:
120
Start of semester:
in autumn
Duration:
4 semesters
Teaching language:
German
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 CH for foreigners without legal place of residence in Switzerland | 250 CHF Administration fee
