Early Music instrumental improvisation

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.

Core curriculum (84 CP)

Major module

• Improvisation A
• Improvisation B
• Improvisation, group lesson
• "Clavier" exercises

Minor module

• Thoroughbass-Partimento/Instrument

Complementary courses (24 CP)

Music Theory module

• Theory-specific courses
• Performance practice

Performance practice issues

Teaching module

• Teaching assistance
• Work shadowing
• Improvisation study days
• Historical improvisation practice

Elective courses (12 CP)

Personalised module

• Courses and events from the electives on offer

Detailed modul description

Modulplan

• 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:

1. Verification that the applicant meets all formal admission criteria
2. Admission to the aptitude test
3. Aptitude test (entrance exam)
4. 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.
  

More information on studying in Switzerland, scholarships, exchange programmes etc. here.

The aptitude test is divided into two parts: a music theory examination and a Major-specific audition. Both are 20 minutes long.

Musical aptitude test (English)

Entrance exams take place once a year, in 2020 from March 9^th through April 9^th and from April 20^th through 24^th. The exact dates can be found here.