Programme description for Bachelor's Programme in Classical Music Performance (2024–2027)

What do you learn?

Learning outcome

Upon completion of the programme, the candidatewill:

KNOWLEDGE

• have knowledge about their own instruments or their 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 their 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 reflect on their own artistic practice

• be able to display nuanced technical and musical abilities on their own instrument or their main areas

• 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 present documented, equivalent working experience, and have passed relevant auditions.

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 can be one of the following: an additional classical instrument, conducting, improvisation for classical music, composition/arranging, 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: “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(including windband-and choir conducting). The secondary discipline can be one of the following disciplines: an additional classical instrument,conducting, improvisation for classical music, composition/arranging or a popular music instrument. For students following “two contrasting disciplines” their primary discipline will be valued 70% - and the secondary 30%.The available options will depend on how the student perform on their admission audition.

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 programmes design After completion, the candidat will be able to continue to work towards different specializations within the arts and the music scene.

Teaching methods

The study facilitates variable forms of teaching and learning including 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 Department of Classical Music and Music Education, 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 offered 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.Parts of the tuition is mandatory. Please refer to the individual course descriptions.

Assessment methods

Varied assessment methods are used to secure the coherence between the different courses’ learning outcomes as well as teaching- and working activities, to maintain homogenity and quality throughout the study. Theoretical courses are assessed through oral and/or written exams, while the performance courses are assessed through examination concerts and practical tests. Please refer to the individual courses.

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

Primary language for the study is English.

Requirements for continuing in programme

In order to progress to the 6th semester, 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)

• MUK173 Music communication/presentation and project development (5 cr)

• MUK171 Concert production, entrepreneurship and mediation in a societal context (5 cr)

• MUK1Philosophy of science, aesthetics and analysis (7.5 cr)

 

Please refer to the individual course description for recommended prior knowledge.

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 in Music Performance

Evaluation

Study programme evaluation is conducted annually in the programme committee in accordance with the Quality System, section 4.2.

Fee

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

Compolsory study trips, courses and excursions will not add any additional fees for students. Voluntary study trips may require additional fees. For those who cannot attend, corresponing activities will be offered to enrich the learning outcomes in a similar way. Students will be offered free tickets to concerts through the departments collaboration with Kilden Theatre and Concert House.

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

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.