Programme description for Bachelor's Programme in Classical Music Performance (2023–2026)

What do you learn?

Learning outcome

Upon completion of the programme, students will:

KNOWLEDGE

• have knowledge about their own instruments or main areas, as well as relevant ensembles and repertoire

• have knowledge about arranging and composition, as well as the history of classical music and its traditions, uniqueness and place in society

• have knowledge about methods for teaching instrumental knowledge, and artistic direction in ensembles

• have knowledge about the musicians role and different audience groups, as well as how to reach them through adaptation and communication/presentation

• have knowledge about how to develop projects and artistic concepts

• have an overview of how the music life is organized, as well as the general mechanisms of the arts and cultural life in Norway

• be familiar with research and development within their own instrumental disciplines or main areas

SKILLS

• maintain a personal artistic expression in their own musical practice

• maintain skills in ensemble performance and how to adapt to different kinds of ensembles

• be able to arrange and compose music for different instrumentations and apply their skills in ear training and their knowledge from music orientation and analysis in their own interpretations

• be able to analyse and correct technical issues on different levels in both instrumental and ensemble practice

• be able to facilitate musical experiences for different target and audience groups

• be able to apply research based methods in order to develop their own projects

• be able to reflect upon their own general artistic practice

GENERAL COMPETENCE

• be able to apply their knowledge, and adapt for and communicate to different target and audience groups, as well as reflect upon their role as communicator/presenter

• be able to prepare methodical work in instrumental and ensemble pedagogy and teaching

• be able to plan and execute concerts and projects related to different arenas in the field of arts and culture, also connected to different audience groups in society

• maintain insight into relevant problem areas related to subject and work ethics

• be able to take responsibility for their own artistic development, and be able to continue work towards different kinds of specializations

Structure and content

Admission requirements

The applicant must have achieved Higher Education Entrance Qualification (or be able to present documented, equivalent working experience), and have passed relevant auditions.
Application deadline: 15 December

Recommended previous knowledge

It is required that applicants have adequate knowledge of and skills in either (A) one classical main instrument or (B) two contrasting disciplines. Primary contrasting discipline has to be a classical instrument. Secondary contrasting discipline has to be one of the following disciplines: an additional classical instrument, improvisation for classical music, composition/arranging, conducting or a popular music instrument.

General description and profile

The Bachelor Programme in Bachelor of Music Performance – Western Classical Music is a three-year practical first level education, aimed at preparing music performance students for the future job market.

Throughout the programme the student will develop reflection around his or her own musical communication/presentation as well. The student will also increase the artistic level of his or her own performance.

The programme has two divisions/modes of performance: “Classical main instrument” and “Two contrasting disciplines”. Performance disciplines, communication/presentation subjects as well as methodic, theoretical and technological subjects are integral to both divisions/modes. In “Two contrasting disciplines” the primary discipline has to be a classical instrument. The secondary discipline has to be one of the following disciplines: an additional classical instrument, improvisation for classical music, composition/arranging, conducting or a popular music instrument. For students following “two contrasting disciplines” their primary discipline will be valued 70% - and the secondary 30%.

The requirements for high level artistic skills regard the work in both producing and pedagogical institutions within the arts and cultural sector. In addition to high level performance, facilitate musical experiences and reach different audience groups, it is essential to initiate, develop and lead one’s own projects, contribute to different artistic concepts, develop one’s own niche, teach instrumental knowledge, conduct different kinds of ensembles, as well as maintain an insight into the governing mechanisms of the arts and cultural life.

It is the expectations and possibilities of the professional life that form the basis for the courses in this programme. After completion, the student will be able to continue to work towards different specializations within the arts and the music scene.

Teaching methods

Possible forms of teaching include individual teaching, group teaching, group projects, seminars and supervised work on projects. Field trips are also possible. Participating in/attending concerts at the university is part of the teaching.

In addition to the regular weekly schedule, supplementary master classes, workshops and guest lectures will occur. Attending will be compulsory for students. Students will also take part in projects conducted by the university, or by one of the universitys regional, national or international partner institutions.

In cooperation with the professional regional institutions – Kristiansand Symphony Orchestra, Kilden Opera and Kilden Theater & Concert Hall – the students will experience closer collaboration with institutional and performing professionals. The right to observe rehearsals and dress rehearsals for orchestral, operatic and musical productions is an important aspect.

Students will receive performance training through projects and concerts hosted by the university and in cooperation with Kilden. Instrumental teaching and ensemble conducting will be practiced in cooperation with regional Schools of Music and Performance Arts, as well as the freelance market.

Communication regarding the course will be administered through the digital platform Canvas.

Assessment methods

Both practical and theoretical methods of assessment will be used. For more information, see the individual subject description.

Internationalization

International impulses are important to the study programme, and students will meet international guest lecturers through master classes, seminars, lectures and projects.

The Department for Classical Music and Music Education has agreements of exchange with several larger European educational institutions. These partner institutions have been selected to provide the students with opportunities to acquire skills, knowledge and experience that will enhance the learning outcome within the performing disciplines.

It is important that students on exchange have opportunities to perform in larger productions, such as opera and orchestra concerts, as well as chamber music in different ensembles.

When entering an agreement of exchange, it is important that the partner institution has an expertise that supplements the students background skills on the instrument. It is normally facilitated for exchange during the 5th semester. For more information, see the university website about exchange opportunities: https://www.uia.no/en/student/go-on-exchange

Incoming exchange students at the Department for Classical Music and Music Education will take subjects with primary focus on performance. These subjects will be facilitated in English as teaching language.

Primary language for the entire course is English.

Requirements for continuing in programme

In order to progress to the 3rd study year, the following subjects need to be passed:
MUK174 Main instrument 1 (30 cr)/ MUK175 Main areas 1 (30 cr)
MUK203 Main instrument 2 (25 cr)/MUK255 Main areas 2 (25 cr)

In addition, it is required that the subjects in Module 3 are passed. This includes:
MUK173 Music communication/presentation
MUK171 Concert production
MUK107-4 Philosophy of science, aesthetics and analysis

Occupational profiles / further studies

The programme qualifies for performance as soloist as well as in ensemble and orchestra settings, in addition to communicative work within the arts and cultural sector, as well as work in Schools of Music and Performance Arts. The programme prepares students for work in the freelance sector, with both artistic projects and entrepreneuring. Our Alumni are working as orchestra musicians, reginally employed musicians, producers, teachers in School of Music and Performance Arts as well as colleges and universities, headmasters or otherwise occupy administrative positions at pedagogical or producing arts and culture institutions.

When the study programme is completed, students can apply for our master programme in either music performance or arts. For work with teaching in Norwegian secondary or high schools, a supplementary year with Practical-Pedagogical Education is required.

Qualification awarded

The programme qualifies to the degree of Bachelor of Music Performance - Western Classical Music.

Evaluation

Study programme evaluation is conducted annually in the programme committee in accordance with the Quality System, section 4.2. Before the meeting of the study programme committee, the student representative may obtain suggestions and ideas from fellow students

Fee

Compulsory study trips, seminars and field trips require no payment for students. However, for optional study trips, seminars and field trips, payments might be required.

Contact person

Study coordinators: Jorun Christensen jorun.christensen@uia.no Phone +47 38141903 and Jørn Eivind Schau; jorn.e.schau@uia.no. Phone +47 38141914

Other information

Other information
A compulsory course in folk music, hosted by Ole Bull Akademiet, will normally be offered during the first study semester.

It is required that all students at UiA provide their own laptop computer for use in course and exams, according to § 12d in Regulations for studies and exams at the University of Agder.

 

Financing

Compulsory study trips, seminars and field trips require no payment for students.

However, for optional study trips, seminars and field trips, payments might be required.