Early Music Historical Performance Practice Renaissance – Romantic instrument/voice

Key data

Degree: Master of Arts FHNW in Spezialisierter Musikalischer Performance - Studienrichtung Alte Musik historische Spielpraxis Renaissance - Romantik instrumental / vokal
ECTS points: 120
Start of semester: in autumn
Duration: 4 semesters
Teaching language: German (level A2 is required)
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 CHF for students from EU-/EFTA-countries | 1250 CHF for students from third countries

The Master of Arts in Musical Performance focuses on the intensive engagement with Early Music playing techniques and performance practices, coupled with an in-depth examination of historical sources. As a result, students advance their understanding of the stylistic and aesthetic aspects of music and the need to creatively convey these qualities in contemporary performances.

The Master’s programme also places great importance on, and provides ample opportunity for, regular ensemble work.

Overview

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.

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:

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.

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 for four months.
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: Please prepare a programme of 15 to max. 20 minutes with pieces from at least three different stylistic fields. Also use the repertoire samples as a guide. The programme may be identical to the one of the video. The candidate may choose the first piece. Then, the jury will decide which works to play and is allowed to interrupt the audition at any time. 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.

Date

The on-site auditions will take place between mid-March and mid-April. The exact dates may be seen here after the beginning of January.

Registration

You may apply from 15 December 22 until 31 January.

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.

Announcement of the results

The results of the first round will be communicated by email by the end of February.
The results of the second round will be communicated by email in May.