The FHNW Master of Arts in Specialised Music Performance with a Composition Major is aimed at highly advanced composers who, building on the appropriate competencies acquired through successfully completing a professional qualification in composition, would like to specialize at the highest level and are striving to position themselves as an individual voice in the greater context of the contemporary music scene.
Independent project work
Apart from the obligatory principal subjects, the content of the curriculum will be tailored individually. Students are therefore expected to enrol for a comprehensive range of elective subjects, only some of which are in predetermined combinations (depending on the context). Students of the FHNW MA in Specialised Music Performance with a Composition Major are given the space to engage in comprehensive activities in large-scale projects on an independent basis, both on and off campus and can individually configure their study program. On campus, students encounter other highly advanced students from the areas of Performance, Audio Design and Improvisation. The students make significant contributions to the overarching discourse between the different classes through interdisciplinary group projects. Students also have the option of using the Electronic Studio as the focal point of their studies.
Besides building up their own work catalogue, the goals of this programme are therefore that the students should acquire a pronounced ability to reflect on their own actions and works, plus in-depth knowledge of their professional field, and sound communicative skills in dealing with concert organizers, management agencies, orchestras, ensembles and music theatres.
This Master’s programme is aimed at composers who already hold a professional qualification in composition and would like to take advantage of the resources offered by the Basel Campus to specialise at the highest Level.
Holders of an MA in Specialised Music Performance with a Composition Major are equipped to position themselves as an individual voice in the greater context of the contemporary music Scene.
Below please find the link with all the information on the module descriptions of several FHNW universities.
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At the bottom right, filter by semester, Hochschule für Musik Basel FHNW, the desired degree programmeor 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.
Admission criteria In order to enter the FHNW Master of Arts in Specialized Musical Performance programme with a Composition Major, applicants must be awarded a Bachelor in Composition 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 Studienreglement of the Master of Arts FHNW in Specialized Music Performance.
Excellent grounding in composition and/or music theory
Great potential to develop a distinctive artistic identity capable of taking an analytical and reflective approach to one’s work
List of works and/or list of theoretical and analytical works and publications
Ability to engage reflectively with music and to contextualise one’s own thought and ideas within a historical-sociological framework)
Particular aptitude for academic study and artistic research-based work
Language Skills 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 A2 German language certificate according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) at the beginning of the studies.
Entrance exam The entrance exam is split into several parts.
Procedure Written exam by mail (duration approx. four hours)
Short compositional exercise by mail. The exercise is based on various materials or concepts (you may also choose from electronical materials). In case of electronic concepts, you must submit a sound file including a written documentation.
Written analysis of a short movement from the 20th/21st century (preparation time one hour) by mail.
Oral exam via video conference/Zoom
Quick oral presentation (5-6 minutes) of an example of the submitted composing works by video
You will listen to an example from the 20th/21st century and report explicitly on the techniques, pitches, rhythms, timbres, etc.
Conversation with the Jury
Dates The entrance exam by mail and the zoom meeting will take place at the end of 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, a short biography
the school leaving qualification, the Bachelor Diploma, the Master Diploma (if available)
At least three compositions (may be submitted optionally as MP3 a/o video in addition to the PDF)
A written analysis (pattern and extent of choice)
Optional: further exercises in stylistic composition, concepts, digital music programmes, projects, essays, documentation, music-theoretical/scientific research papers, etc
Upload your video onto YouTube and add the link in the registration tool/list of works. Please upload the list of works or send it by mail to cmVnaXN0cmF0aW9uLmhzbUBmaG53LmNoby 15th February.
Announcement of the results The results will be communicated by mail in May.
General information about the entrance exam, aptitude test and exam dates can be found on the Entrance Exams page.
At Hochschule für Musik Basel, students have the opportunity to participate in various project and ensemble programmes. To the overview of the recurring offers.
