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

What do you learn?

Learning outcome

Upon completed study, the candidate will:

KNOWLEDGE

• have an advanced knowledge of classical music traditions, styles and aesthetics

• have an in-depth knowledge of musicological theories, research traditions and ethics

• have an in-depth knowledge of artistic developmental work and scientific-, practice-led- and artistic methods.

• have an in-depth knowledge of instrumental- and performance traditions as well as the relation between theory and practice.

• be able to apply knowledge in new ways to her/his artistic specialisation and minor subject.

• be able to analyse subject-related problems and perspectives relevant to her/his own instrument, specialisation and minor subject.

SKILLS

• have achieved advanced music performance skills and a personal artistic profile as a performer

• be able to demonstrate in-depth comprehension of the relationship between artistic content and mediation

• be able to demonstrate in-depth comprehension of the relationship between artistic content and artistic communication

• be able to utilise relevant scientific and artistic methods to develop her/his artistic identity

• be able to analyse and relate critically to various sources of information and apply these to structure and formulate arguments within her/his instrumental subject, specialisation and minor subject.

• be able to apply knowledge to expand her/his musical and artistic perspectives

• be able to solve practical and theoretical problems independently

• be able to produce independent and defined projects within research and artistic development work under supervision and according to current research ethical norms.

GENERAL COMPETENCE

• be able to analyse relevant problems and issues in connection to her/his subject, professional work and to research ethics

• be able to apply knowledge and skills in new situations to solve advanced work assignments and realise projects within the subject area

• be able to articulate, present and discourse relevant artistic problems and issues to colleagues and to the general public within the subject area

• be able to contribute to promote change and innovation within the arts, culture and musical life

• be able to mediate substantial, independent work and master the expressive formats affiliated with her/his specialisation and elected minor subject.

• be able to make a case for her/his own artistic practice.

Structure and content

Admission requirements

The general admission requirement is a bachelor's degree or equivalent education of at least three years (180 credits). The admission criteria must include specialization unit of at least 80 credits in performing music or equivalent. At least 20 credits in the specialization unit must be level 2. Ranking of applicants takes place on the basis of an entrance exam with the following parts:

• Audition with self-selected program. In the audition, a score from 10 to 20 is given for passing the test. Applicants who get less than 10 points have not passed the audition. The audition counts for 50% of the total score.

• Interview. At the interview, a score is given from 10 to 20. The interview counts for 50% of the total score. The audition must be passed in order to be admitted to an interview.

Otherwise, admission takes place in accordance with the Regulations on admission to studies and courses at the University of Agder

Recommended previous knowledge

MUK107 Philosophy of Science, Aesthetics and Analysis at UiA, or similar.

General description and profile

Through the study programme, the students develop their artistic skills, their musical communication skills, musical identity and -profile in relation to their chosen specialisation and their minor subject. The study programme emphasises music performance work and aims at developing the student’s innovative-, creative-, and critical thinking abilities. Personal-, professional- and artistic ambitions are at the core as well as the professional music market’s conceptions of quality. The student will be prepared to work with artistic-, music performance and scientific assignments in a manner that corresponds to future professional life demands.

The student applies for one of the master’s programme’s two specialisations:

• Artistic performance specialisation

• Artistic scientific specialisation

Through the elected specialisation, the students develop their artistic performance or artistic scientific competence and profile aimed at specific types of work.

Individual solo and ensemble activities provide the core of both specialisations. The student will develop her/his soloist- and ensemble repertoire, her/his personal musical expression and her/his knowledge of music performance practice to achieve a high level of competence.

The study programme emphasises proximity to and relevance for the professional music business. Through the Department of Classical Music and Music Education’s close collaboration with Kilden Theatre and Concert Hall, students can be given internships with the Kristiansand Symphony Orchestra, the Kilden Vocal Ensemble, the Kilden Opera or in connection to artistic projects produced by Kilden Dialogue or other partner institutions.

Students at the Master’s Programme in Music Performance – Western Classical Music can participate in one of the faculty’s research groups.

About the specialisations

Artistic performance specialisation

In addition to working on her/his soloist- and ensemble activities, the student will choose an elective minor subject in which she/he will develop her/his competence and profile within specific performance assignments, or artistic roles. The foundation for the minor subjects is provided for by professionally relevant practice in the Kristiansand Symphony Orchestra, Kilden Vocal Ensemble, Kilden Opera and through Kilden Dialogue or other partner institutions. Students can choose one of the following elective minor subjects:

Creative performer
The student will develop her/his competence and profile through soloist work focusing on a specific repertoire, composer and era, or activities related to classical improvisation or composition and arrangements. Practical work experience will primarily be gained through participation in, or leading, concert productions and artistic projects produced by UiA in collaboration with external partners.

Orchestral academy
The student will develop her/his competence and profile as an orchestral musician. This includes working on orchestral excerpts and audition repertoire for orchestra-positions. Practical work experience will primarily be gained through internships with the Kilden Symphony Orchestra.

Collaborative piano
The student will develop her/his competence and profile as a piano partner with other instrumentalists and vocalists. This includes e.g. rehearsal- and accompaniment-techniques, piano duo work and other fields of collaborative music activities. Practical work experience will primarily be gained through concert productions and artistic projects organized by UiA.

Choir conducting
The student will develop their competence and profile as a choir conductor focusing on the amateur musical life. Practical work experience will primarily be gained through collaborations between external choirs and partners, such as Kristiansand Vocal Ensemble, or other relevant music institutions from the amateur musical life.

Ensemble singing
The student will develop her/his competence and profile as voice ensemble performers. Practical work experience will primarily be gained through opera-, music theatre- and concert projects at the Kilden Theatre and Concert Hall and with the Kilden Vocal Ensemble.

Classical music improvisation
The student shall develop his/her profile as a creating performing artist through classical music improvisation. Improvisation within classical music varies greatly, depending on the context, style, and historical era. The student will explore the art of improvising through historical examples, improvisation within existing works and structures, and contemporary music improvisation including various forms of free improvisation. Practical work experience will be gained through artistic projects at UiA and through co-operation with external partners.

 

Offering the specialisations Ensemble Singing, Collaborative Piano and Classical Music Improvisation, will depend on the composition of the student group as a whole.

 

During the third and fourth semester, the students will dedicate themselves to their master’s project (30 credits). The master’s project must be related to their elected minor subject. Supplementary to music performance, internship and preparing a final examination concert or performance test, the student will write a reflection note. The students will be provided a supervisor to support them during the master’s project work.

 

Artistic scientific specialisation

During the specialisation’s first and second semester, in addition to their core work on individual soloist- and ensemble activities, the students will enhance their competence concerning various musicological directions, traditions, subject-specific methods, ethical perspectives and issues and research traditions. The students will develop their competence in the development and presentation of research work and be thoroughly introduced to application work and project descriptions.

During the third and fourth semester, the student will produce a master thesis (30 credits) developing practical/empirical perspectives and giving justice to their various aspects within an elected subject area. Both qualitative and quantitative methods are accepted. Other approaches can be approved in agreement with the supervisor. The theme of the master thesis must be related to the student’s performance activities.

Teaching methods

The study programme offers various teaching and learning methods including one-to-one tuition, master classes, seminars, classroom and joint interpretation classes. The students’ working hours will mostly be dedicated to their main instrument performance, ensemble playing, internship-activities and working on their elective minor subject. Students will have the opportunity to participate in projects together with relevant collaborators and partners. It is mandatory for students to participate during the planning and implementation stages of the University of Agder’s concert activities. Written work will be supported by a supervisor. Supervision can be implemented fully online, on campus or as a combination according to the students’ needs and preferences. A substantial portion of the students’ working hours will be dedicated to individual- and ensemble practicing and their own research activities.

For the artistic scientific specialisation, the theoretical part of the specialisation will be conducted online with close support from a supervisor. Canvas provides the learning platform.

Through the collaboration between the Department of Classical Music and Music Education and the Kilden Theatre and Concert Hall, students will be able to practice their profession with the Kristiansand Symphony Orchestra, the Kilden Vocal Ensemble, the Kilden Opera or in artistic projects produced by the Kilden Dialogue or other partner institutions.
Canvas provides the digital learning and communications platform for the study programme.

Parts of the learning activities are mandatory. See the individual course descriptions.

Assessment methods

We use various assessment methods to secure the correlation between the different courses’ learning outcomes, teaching and learning methods and to secure the overall quality of the study programme. Theoretical courses will be assessed through written and/or oral exams, and the performing courses will be assessed through tests of the ensemble-, concert- and performing activities. See the individual course descriptions.

Internationalization

The field of Classical music is international by nature. Creative and performance related impulses are constantly developing across, and regardless of, national demarcations. The Department for Classical Music and Music Education participates in international networks and has exchange agreements with several prominent European music educational institutions. During their study, Master students will meet international guest teachers through master classes, courses, lectures and projects. The department’s partner institutions are hand-picked to expose students to impulses from international academic and artistic communities through student- and teacher exchange. Master classes, courses and lectures from international guest teachers will supplement the standard learning activities and reinforce the master students’ learning outcome. The teaching and the syllabus are in English.

Requirements for continuing in programme

To proceed to the second year of the study programme, students must pass the following courses: ME-432 Music Research, Theory and Method (10 credits).

Occupational profiles / further studies

The master study programme in Music Performance, Western Classical Musict the University of Agder provides the competences and qualifications to work in arts and culture institutions; as orchestral musicians and as producers; in arts and culture administrative positions; and in the non-professional musical life.

In addition to a practical pedagogical education (PPU) the study programme can qualify for teacher competence and enable employments as a music teacher at culture schools, at primary and secondary training and education, folk high schools, university colleges and universities.

A completed master’s degree can qualify for continued PhD-studies, for instance, at the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Agder.

Qualification awarded

The programme leads to the degree of Master in Music Performance - Western Classical.

Evaluation

Student evaluations are conducted annually following the quality assurance system, Chapter 4.2.

Fee

Mandatory study trips, courses and excursions will not produce additional student fees. Voluntary study trips can be scheduled possibly causing additional student fees. Alternative activities providing similar strengthening of the students’ learning outcomes will be provided for those unable to attend. Students will also be offered free concert tickets in cooperation with the Kilden Theatre and Concert Hall

Other information

All students at the University of Agder are required to have their own transportable computer for use in education and during exams, see the regulations related to studies and exams at the University of Agder § 12d. It is possible to complete this study program part time. This can be organized on request.