DAS Choral Conducting, Basel Academy of Music

With a DAS in choral conducting, you will be able to conduct choirs and ensembles of various sizes and genres at different levels (amateur, semi-professional and professional ensembles).

In this continuing education programme, you will deepen your skills in the following areas through individual one-to-one lessons and conducting practice:

• Basic knowledge of conducting techniques specifically for choir conducting
• Basic knowledge of conducting a choir
• literature studies
• Basic knowledge of choral voice training

This continuing education course is aimed at trained musicians who wish to acquire in-depth knowledge of choir and ensemble conducting.

The DAS Choral Conducting diploma course spans four semesters and consists of two consecutive CAS modules.
The certificates (CAS) are awarded upon successful completion of the course. The diploma (DAS) is awarded upon completion of the CAS Choral Conducting Basic and Advanced continuing education courses and successful completion of a final examination.

• Certificate of Advanced Studies FHNW in Choral Conducting – Basic
• Certificate of Advanced Studies FHNW in Choral Conducting – Advanced
• Diploma of Advanced Studies FHNW in Choral Conducting

The DAS focuses on the following topics:

• Conducting technique
• Being the leader of a choir
• literature studies
• choral voice training

On demand: You can also attend classes from the specialised Master's programme in choral conducting and selected elective courses, allowing you to deepen your knowledge in specific areas.

The CAS/DAS-programmes at the Basel University of Music are based on modules.

The legally binding structure provides an initial guide to the content and weighting of the subjects on the continuing education. Several modules correspond to those in the degree programme. For self-study, you should plan on spending about 250 hours per CAS.
The detailed content and modalities of the individual subjects can be found in the module descriptions.
The continuing education regulations form the legal framework.

Remark: The CAS Choral Conducting Basics module can also be taken without further study towards the DAS.

Admission criteria

• Master's degree in an artistic music programme (or equivalent, verifiable skills)
• Written statement explaining the reasons for choosing the CAS/DAS (motivational letter)
• Successful entrance exam
• Available study places

We expect students to have very good German language skills at the beginning of the studies. Students who are not German native speakers must present at least a B1 German language certificate according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) at the beginning of the studies.
This certificate must be complete, i.e. all modules (reading, listening, writing, speaking) have been tested separately and passed at least at level B1 overall. Only certificates that have been certified with the ALTE-Q-Mark seal of approval (e.g. the B1 certificate of the Goethe-Institut or the telc certificate) are accepted. The required certificate B1 must be submitted with the application, but not later than with the confirmation of admission. Exceptions will be decided upon by the head of degree programme.