Early Music Historical Performance Practice Renaissance – Romantic instrument/voice

Outstanding musicianship in playing a period instrument and/or historical singing, coupled with a firm grounding in historical music theory.
The goal of this programme is to bring a high competency in historical music practice  into balance with the professional aims of today's instrumental and vocal performers.

This Master’s programme is geared especially towards musicians who have completed an advanced degree in music at an institute of higher education.  This two-year programme focuses primarily on performance practice. The theory-based subjects essential to Early Music are offered either as an intensive combined course (ear training, historical composition techniques, and historical notation) or as individual subjects.

Holders of an MA in Specialised Music Performance are qualified to pursue a career as a soloist and/or as an ensemble musician, delivering performances that are stylistically appropriate, artistically compelling and of the highest calibre. They are also qualified to share their expertise and experience in workshops and masterclasses

Core curriculum (100 CP)

Major module

• Major subject: individual and group tuition
• Major-specific courses/regulations

Minor module

• Practical minor subjects

Complementary courses (8 CP)

Music Theory module, foundation level

• Theory course: Historical Performance Practice

Music Theory module, advanced level

• Theory seminars
• Performance practice

Elective courses (12 CP)

Personalised profile
Courses/activities chosen 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 to 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.

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.

Aptitude test (German)

Theory examination (English)

In principle, applicants must perform on period instruments, or replicas thereof. Both vocalists and instrumentalists must prepare at least three pieces of different styles.

Sample repertoires

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

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