This sonic space basel matrix offer combines theory, practice, science and artistic research. The master’s degree focuses on the theory formation of the 20th and 21st centuries and its application. It expands the concept of theory on an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary basis and combines aesthetic-scientific discourse with a practice-based and artistic approach.
Factsheet
- Degree
- Master of Arts FHNW in Spezialisierter Musikalischer Performance, Neue Musik Theorie
- Study mode
- Full-time
- Learning environment
- Onsite
- ECTS points
- 120
- Duration
- 4 semesters
- Language
- B1 level in German 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
- Aesthetic-scientific discourse, practice-based and artistic approach
- Combining theory, practice, science and artistic research
- Focus on 20th and 21st centuries
Why study this?
The specialisation in the broad history of theory of 20th/21st century and the ability to develop creative theory offers a broad range of career opportunities and qualifications in the professional fields of contemporary art. Career opportunities range from university teaching in the field of music theory as a major subject to music publishing, entry into practical and/or theoretical music research and related doctoral study. Graduates can also make a name for themselves as curators, ensemble leaders or festival organisers in the analogue and/or digital music market.
The course is aimed at applicants from the fields of performance, composition, music theory and musicology as well as career changers from related artistic disciplines who are experienced in transdisciplinary work.
Why is New Music Theory needed?
How can we analyse music in a modern way? What does make a piece a good piece?
Prof. Uli Fussenegger in conversation with Dr. Christoph Haffter (in German)
Structure and programme contents
New Music Theory focuses on the 20th and 21st centuries and offers an aesthetic-scientific discourse as well as a practice-based and artistic approach in the unique multifaceted creative environment of sonic space basel.
Focus on today
Even though the theoretical approaches, concepts and discourses of the 20th century are extensive, diverse and well-documented, music theory of the 20th and 21st centuries has only played a minor role in university teaching so far.
The specialized Master's degree in New Music Theory completes the Music Theory programme at Basel Academy of Music. This new matrix programme combines theory, practice, science and artistic research.
The Master's degree focuses on theory formation in the 20th and 21st centuries and its application. It extends the concept of theory in an inter- and transdisciplinary way and repositions the approaches, methods and knowledge of the subject. The course combines an aesthetic and scientific discourse and a practical and artistic approach. New Music Theory is a unique study programme in the international landscape of music academies, in combination with the broad field of contemporary music practice in the environment of sonic space basel.
The highly modularised curriculum gives students plenty of scope for independent activity in projects both on and off campus, allowing them to tailor their studies to their individual needs. The open format of the sonic space basel teaching modules promotes interdisciplinary approaches and collaborative work.
Modules and Reglements
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
Structure MA SP Klassik New Music Theory in German
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
Music Theory and Composition
Institut Klassik
Requirements, admission, entrance exam
In order to enter the FHNW Master of Arts in Specialised Music Performance programme with a New Music Theory Major, applicants must be awarded a Bachelor (instrumental/vocal, Composition or Music Theory) or equivalent as well as they must have passed the entrance exam and were offered a free place at the Academy (limited places).
Applicants who have submitted all the necessary registration documents in time and have passed the first round of the entrance exam will be invited for the entrance exam by mail and by videoconference.
For further information on the admission criteria, please see the Study regulations of the Master of Arts FHNW in Specialised Music Performance.
We expect students to have sufficient German language skills at the beginning of the studies. Students who are not German native speakers must present 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 confirmation of admission but not later than 31st May. Exceptions will be decided upon by the head of degree programme.
Furthermore, a very good knowledge of English is recommended.
Entrance exam
The entrance exam is individual for each study programme direction.
Dates
Registration
You may apply between 15th December and 1st March. Along with the registration, it is mandatory to submit the following documents:
- The school leaving qualification, the Bachelor and for Second Master Students Master Diploma (including transcript of records)
- A curriculum Vitae, a Motivation video* or letter of motivation (including personal perspectives and expectations of the degree programme)
- Portfolio (a written as well as an audiovisual theoretical or artistic work must be submitted):
Written theses, performance videos/audios, written artistic works (scores, concepts), written analyses, lectures, personal lists of work
*Please upload the video onto YouTube and add the link in the registration tool or send it by mail to registration.hsm@fhnw.ch until 1st March at the latest.
On-site
The entrance exam by mail and the zoom meeting will take place in mid-April. The exact dates may be seen here.
Announcement of the results
The results will be communicated by mail in May.
Procedure
The entrance exam is split into two parts.
Procedure
Applicants must submit a video/letter and a portfolio when registering.
Video/Letter
It can be chosen between a Motivation video* or letter of motivation. It should include personal perspectives and expectations of the degree programme.
Portfolio
The portfolio should include both, a written as well as an audiovisual theoretical or artistic work.
Entrance conversation via Zoom/online:
- Presentation of a chosen topic/a chosen question (lecture 10')
- Analysis of a work (work excerpt) from the 20th/21st century (5') (preparation time 1 hour)
- Commentary with detailed observations on the techniques used, pitches, rhythms, tone colours, etc. after listening to a musical example from the 20th/21st century.
- Interview (approx. 15')
Organisational matters
sonic space basel
sonic space basel is a platform of Basel Academy of Music for Audio Design (BA and MA), Composition (BA and MA and MA SP), MA SP Creative Interpretation in New Music, Music Theory (BA and MA MP), MA SP New Music Theory, MA SP Open Creation, Continuing Education and Research.
We consider ourselves a laboratory, a communication tool and an information hub for contemporary music.
Projects / Ensembles
At Hochschule für Musik Basel, students have the opportunity to participate in various project and ensemble programmes.
To the overview of the recurring offers.
Quicklinks
Advising and information events
Contact
Student Administration Academy of Music, Klassik
- Phone
- +41 61 264 57 32 (Direct)
- klassik.hsm@fhnw.ch
Prof. Uli Fussenegger
- Phone
- +41 61 264 56 19
- uli.fussenegger@fhnw.ch
Information events
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Registration
The next registration window is open from 15th December to 1st March.