This programme is aimed at qualified keyboard players, preferably harpsichordists, with a strong foundation in thoroughbass and the best instrumental, theoretical and creative skills in baroque music. The programme uses the special skills of the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis to further develop the acquired skills. The thoroughbass training is combined with ensemble work and conducting. A broad understanding of stylistic and aesthetic aspects as well as an in-depth examination of historical sources and theory round off the profile.
Factsheet
- Degree
- Master of Arts FHNW in Spezialisierter Musikalischer Performance, Studienrichtung Alte Musik Generalbass
- Study mode
- Full-time
- Learning environment
- Onsite
- ECTS points
- 120
- Next start
- 14.9.2026
- Duration
- 4 semesters
- Language
- level B1 in German is required
- Staying abroad
- Possible
- Application fee
- 200 CHF
- Semester fee
- 750 CHF (CH) | 1000 CHF (EU/EFTA) | 1250 CHF (Not-EU/Not-EFTA)
At a glance
- Deepening knowledge of historical music theory, the thoroughbass and historical sources, and communicating this knowledge in a reflective, creative and artistically convincing manner
- Performing thoroughbass tasks in all historical styles, creatively and artistically convincingly with the highest level of competence
- Enabling large and small ensembles to perform a work as a thoroughbass player and as a conductor
Why study this?
A study programme for very gifted harpsichordists
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 Schola Cantorum Basiliensis (SCB). In addition to instruction in the Thoroughbass Major, there is a smaller unit of practical instrumental tuition to hone the students’ technical proficiency.
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.
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.
Conducting an ensemble with basso continuo?
Excerpt of a Recital
Structure and programme contents
The study programme makes use of the unique competences and resources of the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis, 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 the ensemble direction, since the two fields are closely interconnected.
Performing with an ensemble
An essential combination to the training in thoroughbass is the ensemble direction, as the two fields are closely intertwined.
Students should be able to play thoroughbass according to the given regional traditions and chronological developments. They learn to use thoroughbass to direct vocal and instrumental ensembles of all sizes, from small musical formations to orchestras and large vocal ensembles, and acquire the necessary tools and confidence to put together innovative programmes of their own design. Graduates of this Master’s Degree course are capable of dealing competently with all types of tasks requiring a knowledge of thoroughbass.
Students will also perfect their musicianship, and will be expected to work regularly with their own ensembles during their studies.
Modules and regulations
The BA and MA degree programmes at the Basel Academy of Music are based on modules.
The legally binding structure provides an initial guide to the content and weighting of the subjects on the degree programme.
The detailed content and modalities of the individual subjects can be found in the module descriptions.
The study regulations come into force together with the study and examination regulations of the Basel Academy of Music FHNW and form the legal framework.
Structure
Module descriptions
Below please find the link with all the information on the module descriptions of several FHNW universities.
- Switch the language settings to English.
- Filter by semester, Hochschule für Musik Basel FHNW, the desired degree programme or other criteria to display the relevant module information.
- Use the PDF button to call up a document from each overview and save it for yourself.
- Course registrations are made via the intranet.
Study Regulations
Lecturers
Jörg-Andreas Bötticher
Thomas Leininger
Schola Cantorum Basiliensis
Requirements, admission, entrance exam
We expect students to have 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.
Admission criteria
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 entrance exam. It breaks down as follows:
- Verification that the applicant meets all formal admission criteria
- Admission to the entrance exam
- 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 Basel Academy of Music shall make its final selection based on the level and comparative ranking of the applicants' examination results.
For further information on the admission criteria, please see the Study Course Regulations MA Specialised Music Performance Early Music Thoroughbass in German.
Entrance exam
The entrance exam is individual for each study programme direction.
Dates
Registration
You may apply from 15 December until 31 January.
The following documents must be handed in with your registration:
- A curriculum Vitae incl. motivational letter
- school leaving qualification (Matura, Abitur, Baccalauréat, High School-Diploma)
- Bachelor Diploma
- Second Master students: Master Diploma
- Not German native speakers: German Language Certificate (B2)
On-site
The on-site auditions will take place between mid-March and mid-April. The exact dates may be seen here in the beginning of January.
Announcement of the results
The results will be communicated by mail in the beginning of May.
Procedure
The entrance exams consist of an on-site audition.
Persons unable to take an on-site assessment for visa, financial or environmental (long distance travel) reasons may submit a request for an online entrance assessment (video presentation and live interview). This request must be sent to scb.hsm@fhnw.ch at the same time as the registration (by 31 January), stating the reasons, and must then be approved by the management.
Please also refer to the document Eignungsabklärung.
On-site audition
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). Use the repertoire samples as a guide. The programme must be submitted with the list of works for the entrance exam on-site.
- 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 Schola 14 days before the exam. The ensemble partners will be organised by the Schola 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 realisation 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.
Organisational matters
Advising and information events
Contact
Prof. C. Federico Sepúlveda
- Phone
- +41 61 261 57 57
Information events
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Registration
The registration window is open from 15th December to 31th January.
MA Specialised Performance | Early Music Thoroughbass
- Date
- 14.9.2026
- Duration
- 4 semesters
- Place
- Provisorium Letzi & Campus Musik-Akademie Basel