Music and Research

The Specialised Master of Arts in Music and Research is an innovative programme that allows students to forge their own distinct identity as an artist through a combined and detailed focus on musical practice and music research. Programme graduates have the necessary skills and expertise to plan and conduct their own artistic-scientific research projects and communicate to audiences of all kinds. Thanks to their outstanding musicianship and critically reflective approach, programme graduates are ideally placed to play a leading role in shaping and advancing the fields of musical practice and music research.

The MA SP Music and Research is aimed at highly gifted musicians, composers and music theorists who regard research as an integral part of their artistic practice and wish to combine both activities in a more informed and scientific manner. It is equally suited to students who wish to embark on a doctoral programme (artistic-scientific or Dr. phil.) at a later stage. Independent work and self-directed study are a major component of this Master's programme.

There is an array of career options available to graduates of the MA SP Music and Research programme. You can carve out a role for yourself in the international creative music industry and re-energise it by bringing fresh ideas on board. Depending on your particular area of expertise, you will have the skills to open up hybrid creative spaces for musical practice and academic research, which in turn could serve as a stepping stone to other careers. Your abilities as an artist-educator/artist-researcher also make you ideally suited to positions in conservatories of music and within key parts of the music scene (e.g. festival direction, advisory committees, ensemble direction, funding bodies, etc.).

Structure MA SP Klassik Music and Research in German

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.

Admission criteria
The Master's programme in Specialised Musical Performance Music and Research is open to students who have successfully completed a Bachelor's programme (major in instrumental/vocal or composition/music theory), have passed the entrance exam and have been offered a place (numbers are limited). Candidates who have submitted the necessary application documents in full and on time will be invited to take the entrance exam. For further admission criteria, please consult the Study regulations of the Master of Arts FHNW in Specialized Music Performance (in German).

Admission to this programme is highly competitive. Applicants therefore must demonstrate outstanding artistic and research skills and, ideally, have completed an MA in Musical Performances or in Composition/Music Theory. In exceptional cases, a Bachelor's degree or similar undergraduate qualification may suffice. It is recommended to contact potential mentors in the field of study or the head of the degree programme before registering for the aptitude assessment.

Eligibility conditions

• Highest level of expertise in original discipline (instrumental/vocal, composition/music theory)
• Declared interest in research and, depending on area of specialisation and research project, advanced research skills

Language requirements
Applicants must be sufficiently proficient in the German language prior to admission.

Admission procedure
Admission to the programme is a multi-step procedure.

Procedure
First Round
Applicants with a music performance (instrumental/vocal) major
In addition to the application documents, please submit an audio-visual recording of an instrumental/vocal performance.It should be 8-10 minutes long and clearly reference the chosen research project.
The video must be uploaded onto YouTube and the relevant link/documents provided in the application.

Applicants with a music composition major
In addition to the required application documentation, please submit:
- a list of works
- a minimum of three compositions as PDF files (submission in MP3 and/or video format is optional)

Applicants with a music theory major
Submission of 1-3 written works, compositions/exercises in stylistic composition (where appropriate) and a list of further works/analyses/presentations, together with the required application documentation.

The video must be uploaded onto YouTube and the relevant link/documents provided in the application.

Second round: interview and audition
Applicants with a music performance (instrumental/vocal) major
Following a review of the application documents, the admissions committee will invite the applicant for an interview (20 min.) and audition (20 min.). The audition repertoire should consist of 3-4 different compositions, 2 of which should be clearly related to the chosen research project.

Applicants with a composition/music theory major
Following a review of the application documents, the admissions committee will invite the applicant for an interview (20 min.) and an oral examination of their portfolio (20 min.).

Dates
The entrance exam by mail and the zoom meeting will take place at the mid of April. The exact dates may be seen here.

Submission dates
Applications may be submitted from 15 December to 15 February. The application must include the following documents

• a brief curriculum vitae
• an official transcript of the BA degree or most recent degree, incl. a copy of the final thesis
• a personal statement (letter of motivation)
• research paper outline (2-3 A4 pages)

Announcement of results
The results of the first round will be communicated by email at the end of March.
If a second round is held, the results will be communicated by email in May.

At Hochschule für Musik Basel, students have the opportunity to participate in various project and ensemble programmes.
To the overview of the recurring offers.

• Welcome: A brief overview
• Studying in Switzerland
• Tuition fees & Financing
• Scholarship
• Module descriptions

• Dates Entrance Exam on Site
• List of works for Entrance Exam
• Study Regulations
  
• Semester dates