Master of Fine Arts in Music with Specialisation in Improvisation Performance
Summary
The Composing Musician
The master's programme is aimed at students who want to enhance their practical knowledge as improvising musicians while also having a clear focus on their own composing. The programme is also known as NoCoM, and is a collaboration with the Rhythmic Music Conservatory in Copenhagen and with the Norwegian Academy of Music in Oslo. To take advantage of the strengths and distinctive character of these different environments, you will study at the two sister schools, and at the Academy of Music and Drama in Gothenburg.
About
The Composing Musician
The programme is a collaboration with the Rhythmic Music Conservatory in Copenhagen and the Norwegian Academy of Music in Oslo. To take advantage of the strengths and distinctive character of these different environments, you will study during the second and third semesters at the two sister schools, while the first and last semesters are spent at the Academy of Music and Drama in Gothenburg. Admission is based partly on an audition and partly on your written formulation of your preferred specialization.
You will work both independently and in groups. We strive to create a complete study environment where you are able to collaborate extensively with both the bachelor’s and the local master’s programmes in improvisation. Ongoing research in the field is also an important aspect. The programme is characterized by openness transcending genre boundaries and a close collaboration with the world music education.
The programme is characterized by an interdisciplinary environment through interaction with fellow students and visiting lecturers, and we have close links to the research environment at the institution, faculty, and University. Our main teachers are Anders Hagberg, Thomas Markusson, Jonas Simonson and visiting lecturers Anders Jormin, Lena Willemark, Arve Henriksen.
Programme structure and content
- Main subject: the composing musician / improvisation (45 credits).
You are supported in the developing of a distinct personal profile. Each semester, a concert is prepared and performed, which is also the basis for your independent work. You also participate in artistic international collaboration projects with other master's programs. - Master's seminars (12 credits).
Seminars, workshops and lectures on themes that connect to the main subject in a wider, partly interdisciplinary context. - The Reflective Artist (18 credits)
Meet experienced practitioners from a variety of artistic fields in discussion forums, seminars and workshops. Present and discuss the artistic and theoretical starting points for your independent work. - The student's personal profile (15 credits)
Choose from among elective courses offeded at the department. - Independent project, degree project (30 credits)
You investigate a question or an artistic problem within your main field in a methodical way, where the text is in dialogue with your other artistic work. The work leads to a finished, artistically reflective presentation that includes audio/video documentation, alternatively a self-produced score or equivalent, as well as a written reflective text in any format.
Who should apply?
Do you want to enhance your practical knowledge as an improvising musician while also having a clear focus on your own composing?Have you studied jazz, improvised music, or composition and want to deepen your knowledge and skills?
Prerequisites and selection
Requirements
Bachelor degree of arts in music or equivalent, and musical knowledge and skills that are assessed at the admission test and are the basis for selection. Applicants must prove their knowledge of English: English 6/English B from Swedish Upper Secondary School or the equivalent level of an internationally recognized test, for example TOEFL, IELTS.
Special instructions for application
Here you find detailed information about the entrance exams for Master of Fine Arts in Music with Specialisation in Improvisation Performance.
More information about Special instructions for application
Selection
Selection of eligible applicants is based upon admission tests. Information about the admission tests can be found at the home page of the Academy of Music and Drama.
After graduation
The programme prepares you for work as an internationally active musician. It also makes you qualified to apply to doctoral studies.
Facilities
The Academy of Music and Drama operates from four locations in Gothenburg: Eklandagatan 86, Åvägen 24 (Brewhouse), Vasagatan 50 (HDK-Valand) and Triörgatan 1 (Andra stället). This programme is primarily located at Eklandagatan 86.
