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MA Chamber music

Chamber music

Aspiring a career as a chamber music ensemble

Key data

Degree: Master of Arts FHNW in Spezialisierter Musikalischer Performance, Studienrichtung Kammermusik
ECTS points: 120
Start of semester: Beginning of September
Studying mode: Full time
Duration: 4 semesters
Teaching language: German, A2 level in German required
Place: Campus Musik-Akademie Basel
Application fee: 200 CHF
Semester fee: 700 CHF (CH) | 1000 CHF (EU/EFTA) | 1250 CHF (Not-EU/Not-EFTA) More Fees

You may apply between 15th December and 15th February.

The FHNW Master of Arts in Specialised Music Performance with a Chamber Music Major is intended for ensembles (with at least three performers) who already share a musical biography and have a clear professional focus as an ensemble. This programme represents the highest instrumental and interpretational level and is reserved for ensembles who can demonstrate exceptional musical abilities and a distinct stage presence and stage aptitude.

Primed for competitions and concerts

Over two years, students will be given the opportunity to prepare for a career in chamber music in a goal-oriented, intensive manner, under the leadership of exceptional artists and lecturers. Besides preparing for concerts and competitions, the focus of this graduate programme is on continuous ensemble work.

At least one member of the ensemble must be properly matriculated at the School of Music in Basel

The combined master's program – Ensemble work and pedagogical training

The Master of Arts in Music Pedagogy programme allows Students who already hold a master's degree in Musical Performance with an instrumental/vocal major to combine artistic training in a chamber music ensemble and pedagogical training in their own instrument. This dual profile considerably expands their career opportunities.

Overview MA Specialised Performance Chamber Music

Given the high degree of specialisation required, as a rule the FHNW Master of Arts in Specialised Music Performance follows on from an MA in Music Pedagogy or an MA in Music Performance. The core competencies acquired prior to this programme are here pursued to a level that matches the highest international standards; those skills are consolidated in the specific disciplines listed below so that exceptional standards may be achieved on the national and international concert stage and at competitions.

Structure

Structure MA SP Klassik Chamber Music in German

Module descriptions

Below please find the link with all the information on the module descriptions of several FHNW universities.

At the top right, switch the language settings to English.
At the bottom right, 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 at the top left to call up a document from each overview and save it for yourself.
Course registrations are made via the intranet.

Module descriptions

Admission criteria
In order to enter the FHNW Master of Arts in Specialized Musical Performance programme with the Major chamber music, applicants must be awarded a Bachelor in Music/Music and Movement or equivalent as well as they must have passed the entrance exam and were offered a free place at the Academy (limited places).
Only fixed ensembles of at least 3 musicians will be considered.
For further information on the admission criteria, please see the Studienreglement of the Master of Arts FHNW in Specialized Music Performance.

Required skills
The ensemble must possess the following:

a wide-ranging repertoire, a shared musical biography and a clear idea of the professional profile to be developed
a technical mastery of the instrument;
a recognizable and distinctive ensemble sound, stage presence, musical and instrumental skills at master level and the ability to lead and accompany other musicians;
an excellent ability to express themselves musically in order to convincingly represent their own interpretative choices;
relevant stage experience and a confident stage presence.

Thanks to intensive exposure to different styles of music coupled with thorough practical training, graduates of the FHNW Master of Arts programme in Specialised Music Performance with a Chamber Music Major leave with a highly specialised and exceptional professional qualification.

Language Skills
We recommend having sufficient German language skills.

Entrance exam
The entrance exam is split into the first round, which is held “by video”, and if necessary, the second one, which is a live audition.

Procedure
First round: Video recordings
Applicants must submit a video when registering.
Video requirements
The length of the video should be minimum 20 minutes and should contain a representative selection of pieces (or only single movements) of at least three different stylistic areas.
The single works/movements submitted must indispensably be recorded without any cuts. If applicants submit one straight video with the whole programme, the applicant must set marks after every work/movement so that it is possible for the jury to purposely skip within the video.
Microphone: We recommend using a suitable stereo microphone and place it conveniently. If necessary, you may also use the microphone of a camera, computer, or smartphone.
Please record the video from a fixed point of view. The hands and the face of the musicians must be visible. Publicly recorded concerts may be submitted as long as they correspond to the above-mentioned requirements (no cuts) and as long as they are not older than 6 months. Please upload the video onto Youtube and add the link to your list of works and in the registration tool. Please add the list of works to your application or send it by mail to cmVnaXN0cmF0aW9uLmhzbUBmaG53LmNo until 15th February at the latest.
Only those applicants who will be considered for the second round will be invited for the live audition.

Second round: Live audition
If necessary, the candidates will be invited for an audition.

Dates
The possible live auditions will take place in April. The exact dates may be seen here.

Registration
You may apply between 15th December and 15th February. 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. In case that the applicant already holds a Master Diploma, we also need a copy of that.

Announcement of the results
The results of the first round will be communicated by mail at the middle of March.
The results of the second round will be communicated by mail in May.

Overview MA Music Pedagogy Chamber Music

Registration for the second artistic Major Chamber Music as part of the Master of Arts FHNW in Music Pedagogy instrument/voice requires a completed Master's degree in vocal or instrumental performance. The core competencies on the instrument and in ensemble work acquired prior to this programme are pursued to a level that matches the highest international levels so that exceptional standards may be achieved on the national and international concert stage.
In addition to the artistic specialisation, the practice-oriented, concentrated pedagogical training enables the students to teach the instrument studied in the first master's programme professionally in individual and group lessons at musical educational institutions or independently at all levels.

This degree programme is aimed at ensembles (with at least three performers) who already share a musical biography and have a clear professional focus as an Ensemble.
Enrolment in this Master's programme in Music Pedagogy instrument/voice requires a Master's degree in vocal or instrumental performance and enables students to combine their artistic profile with a Master's degree in pedagogy for their own instrument.

The Master's degree in Music Pedagogy instrument/voice (second artistic Major Chamber Music) allows students to acquire a dual profile:
Graduates of this degree programme are qualified to work as part of a professional chamber music ensemble and perform at specialist chamber music concerts.
The pedagogical Master's qualification enables them to teach their instrument in music education institutions as well as independently.

Structure

Second Major: Chamber Music
Structure MA MP Klassik instrumental/vokal 2Major Chamber Music in German

Module descriptions

Below please find the link with all the information on the module descriptions of several FHNW universities.

At the top right, switch the language settings to English.
At the bottom right, 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 at the top left to call up a document from each overview and save it for yourself.
Course registrations are made via the intranet.

Module descriptions

Admission criteria

In order to enter the FHNW Master of Arts in Music Pedagogy programme with a Chamber Music major, applicants must be awarded with a Master in Music Performance with an instrumental/vocal major or equivalent as well as they must have passed the entrance exam and were offered a free place at the Academy (limited places).
Only fixed ensembles of at least 3 musicians will be considered.
For further information on the admission criteria, please see the Studienreglement Master of Arts FHNW in Musikpädagogik.

Required skills
The ensemble must possess the following:

a wide-ranging repertoire, a shared musical biography and a clear idea of the professional profile to be developed
a technical mastery of the instrument;
a recognizable and distinctive ensemble sound, stage presence, musical and instrumental skills at master level and the ability to lead and accompany other musicians;
an excellent ability to express themselves musically in order to convincingly represent their own interpretative choices;
relevant stage experience and a confident stage presence
Pedagogical interest and appropriate aptitude

Language Skills
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 confirmation of admission but not later than Mai 31. Exceptions will be decided upon by the head of degree programme.

Entrance exam
The entrance exam is split into several parts.

Procedure
Major
First round: Video recordings
Applicants must submit a video when registering.
Video requirements
The length of the video should be minimum 20 minutes and should contain a representative selection of pieces (or only single movements) of at least three different stylistic areas. The single works/movements submitted must indispensably be recorded without any cuts. If applicants submit one straight video with the whole programme, the applicant must set marks after every work/movement so that it is possible for the jury to purposely skip within the video.
Microphone: We recommend using a suitable stereo microphone and place it conveniently. If necessary, you may also use the microphone of a camera, computer, or smartphone. Please record the video from a fixed point of view. The hands and the face of the musicians must be visible. Publicly recorded concerts may be submitted as long as they correspond to the above-mentioned requirements (no cuts) and as long as they are not older than 6 months. Please upload the video onto YouTube and add the link to your list of works and in the registration tool. Please add the list of works to your application or send it by mail to cmVnaXN0cmF0aW9uLmhzbUBmaG53LmNo until 15th February at the latest.
Only those applicants who will be considered for the second round will be invited for the live audition.

Second round: Live audition
If necessary, the candidates will be invited for an audition.

Pedagogical aptitude assessment
The pedagogical aptitude assessment refers to the instrument of the first Master’s major.

Pedagogical aptitude assessment (external applicants)
Candidates who are invited to the second round (on-site audition) are asked to submit a video of a demonstration lesson of 20' duration with a student of their own instrument. The student can be beginner or ad-vanced and there is no age limit. If possible, the lesson should be held in German. If this is not possible for organizational reasons, the lesson must either be held in English or the video must be subtitled according-ly. The recording must not be older than 6 months. Please upload the video onto Youtube and send the following infor-mation/documents by April 10 to cmVnaXN0cmF0aW9uLmhzbUBmaG53LmNo by mail:

the link
information about the student (age and characteristics, since when)
copies of the sheet music used (if applicable)
a short written reflection of your lesson

Pedagogical aptitude assessment (internal applicants)
For internal applicants, the pedagogical aptitude test takes place on-site during the spring semester (after the head of degree programme has been able to check whether a place is available). The dates will be communicated individually.

The pedagogical aptitude test consists of a demonstration lesson of 20' duration (the allocation of students is taken on by the subject didactics teachers) in German language and a reflection talk following the lesson.

Dates
The exact dates for the on-site auditions The exact dates for the on-site auditions may be seen here.

Registration
You may apply between 15th December and 15th February. Along with the registration, it is mandatory to submit the following documents:
A curriculum vitae, a motivational letter, the school leaving qualification, the Bachelor and Master Diploma.

Announcement of the results
The results of the first round will be communicated by mail at the middle of March. The results of the second round will be communicated by mail in May.