Early Music Thoroughbass

Keeping engagement with Early Music and its myriad performance practices alive, raising public awareness of this specialist field and providing input to the dialogue between different forms of art and music thanks to:

• Expert musicianship and a qualification in ensemble/orchestra direction by means of thoroughbass accompaniment;
• Wide-ranging knowledge of historical performance practices and the ability to communicate this information clearly and effectively;
• A high degree of self-reflection, coupled with excellent social and leadership skills; familiarity with musicology studies as regards the development of creative and innovative programmes and concepts in the field of Early Music, including the preparation of high-quality music scores.

This programme is aimed primarily for gifted keyboard players (especially harpsichordists) who have an excellent basis in thoroughbass as well as the technical ability, theoretical knowledge and creative flair necessary to deal with this subject in a comprehensive way. The programme makes use of the unique competences and resources of the SCB, built up over the last decades and responsible for the reputation this seat of higher learning has gained as a centre for a historically informed and highly differentiated approach to playing thoroughbass. In addition to instruction in the Thoroughbass Major, there is a smaller unit of practical instrumental tuition to hone the students’ technical proficiency. An essential addition to the training in thoroughbass is a minor in ensemble direction, since the two fields are closely interconnected.

Graduates of this Master’s degree programme are qualified to pursue a career as a continuo player, coach and ensemble director, and to deliver stylistically diverse, artistically compelling and high-calibre performances in both concert and music mediating settings.

Core curriculum (84 CP)

Major module

• Thoroughbass
• National styles (lectures and practicum)
• Master thesis colloquium

Minor module

• Keyboard instrument/improvisation

Complementary courses (24 CP)

Music Theory module

• Theory-specific courses
• Performance practice

Teaching module

• Maestro al Cembalo
• Ensemble direction and coaching skills
• Ensembles
• Tutoring
• History of ensemble direction
• Work shadowing and assisting with vocal and orchestra projects

Elective courses (12 CP)

Personalised module

• Courses and events from the electives on offer

Detailed module descriptions

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.

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.

Second round/on-site audition

Please also refer to the document Eignungsabklärung.

Audition plus interview (15-20 min.): The entrance exam is played on the harpsichord and consists of the following parts:

• A self-prepared medium to difficult work of harpsichord literature (solo). Also use the repertoire samples as a guide. The work may be identical to the one of the video
• A compulsory piece for the basso continuo: chamber music in duo or small ensemble, with the candidate playing the basso continuo. The compulsory piece will be announced by the SCB 14 days before the exam. The ensemble partners will be organized by the SCB if no other arrangements have been made.
• Sight-reading of a figured bass from a facsimile
• Sight reading of a solo piece from the harpsichord literature
• Questions about the realization of the basso continuo

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)
• Tonality and mode issues

Further information can be found here.

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.

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.

The following information can be found on the Valuable information about your studies page:

• Study Regulations
• Scholarships and Living Costs
• Studying in Switzerland
• Tuition fees
• Study guide
• Semester dates