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Would you like to conduct a wind orchestra? Learn how to face the challenge of dealing with orchestral musicians, whether professionals or amateurs, both psychologically and methodologically? Then this is a degree programme that opens up exciting perspectives both artistically and educationally.
Factsheet
- Degree
- Master of Arts FHNW in Spezialisierter Musikalischer Performance, Studienrichtung Blasorchesterdirektion
- Study mode
- Full-time
- Learning environment
- Onsite
- ECTS points
- 120
- Next start
- 14.9.2026
- Duration
- 4 semesters
- 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
- Consolidating skills on an instrument and in ensemble work
- Building up a conducting repertoire
- Instrumentation and Score Studies
Why study this?
Holders of a Master Diploma in Wind Orchestra Conducting are qualified to lead wind orchestras, brass bands and wind ensembles, whether amateur, semi-professional or professional.
This Study Course is aimed at students who wish to pursue a career as a wind orchestra, wind ensemble or brass band conductor. To be eligible for this graduate programme, prospective students must have previous instrument training.
Study variant available
The combined master's programme – Wind Orchestra Conducting and education in music pedagogy
MA Music Pedagogy | instrument / voice | Wind Orchestra Conducting
Students who already hold a master's degree in Musical Performance with an instrumental/vocal major have the possibility to combine in one Master of Arts in Music Pedagogy programme artistic specialization in Wind Orchestra Conducting and pedagogical education in their own instrument. This dual profile considerably expands their career opportunities.
MA Music Pedagogy | instrument / voice | Wind Orchestra Conducting
Structure and programme contents
The FHNW Master of Arts in Specialised Music Performance, Wind Orchestra Conducting builds on the knowledge students have already acquired in their previous music pedagogy or music performance studies at Master’s level. Students will leverage their existing instrumental proficiency and experience of ensemble work to expand their conducting repertoire and hone their instrument-playing and score-reading abilities.
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
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
Bjørn Sagstad
Institut Klassik
Requirements, admission, entrance exam
In order to enter the FHNW Master of Arts in Specialised Music Performance programme with a Wind Orchestra Conducting Major, applicants must be awarded a Bachelor in Music or Music and Movement or equivalent as well as they have to 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 to play a live audition.
For further information on the admission criteria, please see the Study regulations of the Master of Arts FHNW in Specialised Music Performance.
We recommend having sufficient German language skills.
Note: Experience shows that non-native German speakers applying for jobs in German-speaking countries are required to have at least a B1 certificate in German.
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:
- A curriculum vitae
- a motivational letter
- the school leaving qualification
- the Bachelor Diploma
- For second Master students: the Master Diploma
On site
The entrance exam will take place at the end of 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 several parts.
Procedure
Live audition on-site Duration: 40 Minutes
- Analysis of a wind orchestra work of applicant’s choosing (approx. 20 mins)
- Conducting of a score
- Score-playing of a simple wind orchestra work
- Discussion on the seminal works from the wind orchestra repertoire
Organisational matters
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. Beat Hofstetter
- Phone
- +41 61 264 57 36
- beat.hofstetter@fhnw.ch
Information events
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Registration
The registration window is open from 15th December to 1st March.
MA Specialised Performance | Wind Orchestra Conducting
- Date
- 14.9.2026
- Duration
- 4 semesters
- Place
- Campus Musik-Akademie