music and scene in transformation » master study program at FHNW Basel

Master of Arts

Do you move between different artistic disciplines? Do you want to combine music, performance and theater? Are you curious about collaborative forms of work and want to realize your own artistic projects? Then our unique transdisciplinary studio for Music and Scene in Transformation at the Basel University of Music FHNW can open up exciting prospects for you.

Transdisciplinary Master’s program

In our Master’s program, musicians, performers, composers, choreographers, dancers and directors work together. In addition, this transdisciplinary master program is aimed at students of design, fine arts, applied theater studies and scenography. With its unique anchoring in the performance practice of early music (Schola Cantorum Basiliensis), jazz and contemporary music (sonic space basel), the program breaks down boundaries between discipline and genre.

Creation and collaboration are at the heart of this degree program: you will learn to develop, rehearse and perform in trans- and interdisciplinary formats. Here, music is understood as an experimental practice that transcends epochal boundaries, and scenic work and performances as an overarching art form. A studio space is available for the development of new concert and performance forms and you benefit from a rehearsal stage set up especially for this master program.

What you can expect

A dedicated rehearsal stage for collaborative work
Trans- and interdisciplinary projects in music, performance and dramaturgy, stage direction and scenic work
Individual support from renowned mentors from the fields of jazz, Schola Cantorum Basiliensis and contemporary music (sonic space basel)
Own studio space for research and conception
Contacts with local and international institutions, festivals and venues
Own rehearsal stage for scenic projects and performances
Reflection and realization of unconventional concert formats and concert spaces
Networking with the Basel School of Art and Design and other FHNW degree programs
International and welcoming art, music and theater scene in Basel
Support in the realization of your individual artistic vision
The freedom to form your own transdisciplinary ensembles
Support in starting your own business in the contemporary music, theater and art scene.

What you bring with you

You are a musician, performer, composer, choreographer, dancer, director
You have a BA in classical music (vocal/instrumental), contemporary music, music education, early music practice, jazz, sound design, applied theater studies, improvisation, music and movement, electronic or computer music, popular music or experimental pop
You are a visual artist, designer or scenographer with a focus on scenic and performative contexts or have acquired an equivalent qualification

Then apply and become part of our community of peers, mentors and lecturers. Realize your artistic visions in an inspiring environment in the cultural city of Basel with its international art, music and theater scene. In our degree program, you can realize your individual artistic vision together with a transdisciplinary ensemble.

Apply between December 15, 2024 and February 15, 2025.

Individual advice on your application, your portfolio or your previous projects with which you would like to apply at any time by appointment with the head of the programme Prof. Raphael Sbrzesny:
raphael.sbrzesny@fhnw.ch

info day

Music Info Day on January 16, 2025 at the Basel University of Music FHNW

10:15 a.m. → Studio 1
Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz FHNW | Musik-Akademie Basel
Basel University of Music
Leonhardsstrasse 6
CH-4009 Basel

Online

15:15 → Online Zoom with Head of Master program Raphael Sbrzesny

Zoom Meeting: fhnw.zoom.us/j/64415451813?pwd=LrqVcCQnAJYgiHFohKcrCjit7IsJKL.1

Meeting-ID: 644 1545 1813
Password: 810622

Open House

17:15 → Open House/ Apero: Studiobühne Letzi

Location:
MuST Probebühne Letzi
St. Alban Vorstadt 93 / 95
CH-4052 Basel

study program

As a graduate of the Master of Arts in Music and Scene in Transformation (MuST) degree program, you will have developed a unique and creative musical-performative profile: You will have expanded and deepened your knowledge and skills with regard to scenic-performative practices, the conception and realization of your own scenic projects as well as discourses and aesthetics of the performative. You will have received insights into fields of expertise central to your artistic practice (directing, dramaturgy, set design, stage technology and artistic self-curatorship/ management) and gained experience in interdisciplinary work as well as networking with artistic partners in the scene. You were also able to try out different roles within creative work processes (projects with an artistic lead, collective forms of work, etc.).

Through your chosen specialization (Historical Perspectives, Contemporary Approaches, Freestyle or as an applicant with a different focus qualifying for the Master’s degree: dance, performance, design, sound design, composition, etc…), you have both broad and specifically in-depth knowledge and skills at the intersection of music and performance.

Target group

As an inter-institutional course (Institute of Classical Music, Schola Cantorum Basiliensis, Institute of Jazz), the MA Music and Scene in Transformation is aimed at excellent musicians (instrumental/ vocal) and composers of all relevant genres who wish to further develop their performing and scenic-conceptual skills based on their musical discipline.

In addition, students are addressed who have an equivalent qualification in scenic and performative fields of study, are interested in transformation processes and have a meaningful portfolio. These include: Dance, directing, choreography, acting, applied theater studies, music curating, mediation/ education, architecture, philosophy, visual arts, experimental design (process design), urban studies or sound design, arrangement, improvisation, electroacoustics, popular music through to experimental pop. This makes the course suitable for creative musicians and composers interested in interdisciplinary work who see their career goal essentially in the realization of their own musical-scenic projects. It is also suitable for designers, artists, theater professionals, urbanists, sound artists, dancers and directors who see their main focus of work in scenic and performative projects. A high degree of independence and reflection is expected of MA MuST students.

Applying as an existing ensemble is also possible. Nevertheless, we ask each individual ensemble member to register and submit their application documents.

Job description

Due to acquired knowledge and skills in the field of creative musical-scenic work and experience in various roles within artistic work processes (as part of a collective, as artistic directors, as performers within projects organized on a collaborative basis), graduates of the MuST course will have a great deal of flexibility and can be employed in numerous positions depending on their specific profile. Potential fields of work therefore include theaters, opera houses and concert halls, orchestras, festivals, companies and ensembles, as well as exhibition venues, unconventional educational projects and the entire independent theater, music and visual arts scene.

Module plan/module descriptions

The MuST curriculum focuses on the individual and practical support of students: In addition to the study mentor (main mentor), who usually accompanies the students for the entire duration of their studies, they receive specific content-related input from project mentors who change each semester. The 4–6 projects taking place in semesters II and III are carried out by choreographers, directors, theater companies, visual artists, designers, stage designers and performers with a wide variety of artistic styles and thus give students an insight into different aesthetic practices.

In addition, projects initiated by students independently are supported. Together with a diverse range of courses in the areas of performance/movement, sound and stage/technology as well as discursive and reflective courses, the curriculum offers comprehensive preparation and support for students’ own musical and scenic creations. Close cooperation with the FHNW School of Art and Design and other FHNW degree programs is sought. We explicitly welcome and support independently initiated collaborations.

Module plan

Module descriptions

All information on the module descriptions of several FHNW universities can be found under the following link:

Filter at the bottom right by semester, the Basel academy of Music FHNW, the desired degree program or other criteria to display the relevant module information.

The PDF button at the top left can be used to call up a document from any overview and save it for yourself.

Course registrations are completed on the intranet.

Admission

Apply now: fhnw.ch/en/degree-programmes/music/music-and-scene-in-transformation

Admission procedure/ eligibility check

Admission criteria

Admission to the Master’s degree course in Music and Scene in Transformation (MuST) is open to anyone who has completed a Bachelor’s degree (instrumental, vocal or composition) or equivalent (BA degrees in dance, performance, design and process design, directing, choreography, acting, applied theater studies, mediation/education, architecture, philosophy, fine arts, urban studies, etc.), who has passed the audition and has been offered a place on the course (numbers are limited). Admission “sur dossier” (on portfolio alone) is possible.

Anyone who has submitted the complete application documents by the deadline will be invited to audition. For further admission criteria, see the study regulations for the Master of Arts FHNW in Music and Scene in Transformation (to be published shortly).

In the Master’s degree program “Music and Scene in Transformation”, the audition is possible both as an individual application and as a group application (interdisciplinary collective, ensemble, etc.). Nevertheless, we ask each individual ensemble member to register and submit their application documents.

Input skills

Highest level of competence in the field of your initial artisic discipline
Strong interest in and, depending on the profile, already clearly developed skills in interdisciplinary, musical-scenic and/ or physical-performative work
The ability to learn independently and work freely on projects
Strong interest in trans- and interdisciplinary forms of teaching and learning

Language requirements

A good knowledge of English is required. Sufficient knowledge of German is recommended, but not a prerequisite.

Suitability assessment

The audition consists of several parts.

Procedure

First round:
Video recording

With their application, applicants submit a performance video with musical-scenic/ music-theatrical performances (solo and/ or ensemble) of approx. 20–30 minutes in length, which is representative of both their current musical and scenic-performative skills. Your own projects, performances and projects developed as part of an artistic collective are expressly welcome. If applicable, explain your role in the group work. Applicants with other artistic backgrounds should submit video documentation of projects in which they played a central artistic/ creative role.

In addition, a short video is required in which you describe your motivation for your application. Alternatively, you can also send us a short letter of motivation.

Video requirements: If a continuous file with several performances is submitted, markings must be inserted between them to make it easier for the examination committee to select individual performances.

Microphone: It is recommended to use a suitable stereo microphone and to position it appropriately. In an emergency, however, integrated microphones from cameras, computers or cell phones can be used.
Upload the video to YouTube, Vimeo or similar platform and add the link to your application.

Alternatively or additionally, a portfolio can be submitted (images, projects, concert installations, concepts, digital formats, videos, homepages, political projects, educational formats, publications, posters, e-portfolios, publications of other kinds, etc. …)

Second round:
on-site workshop, audition/performance, interview

After reviewing the application documents, the applicants selected by the evaluation committee are invited to a joint intensive workshop.

At the center of the aptitude assessment is a workshop format in which all applicants participate. It is important to us not to create a competitive situation for a few study places, but rather to promote cooperation within the group, joint exchange, collaborative forms of work and the quality of the individual project plans that are presented in the group. In addition, there is a practical examination (audition, performance) and an interview (discussion of the submitted performance concept, theoretical knowledge, interview). In addition to the musical and scenic quality of your application, what counts for us is your curiosity towards other artistic positions, the joint reflection on transformation processes and performance concepts and the willingness to work collaboratively.

Please reserve the entire two days for the selection process.

In justified exceptional cases, the Commission may hear individual applicants online.

Timing

The on-site audition takes place in April.

Registration

The registration window is open from 15.12.2024–15.2. 2025.

The following documents must be submitted with the application:

Motivation video (1–3′) or letter of motivation
Performance video (20–30′) or portfolio that comprehensively reflects the applicant’s individual artistic level:
Concerts/ performances, recordings/ improvisations (audio/ video), scores, film scores, installations, project documentations of already realized artistic projects, etc. The focus here may be on visual content: Images, concepts, digital formats, videos, homepages, political projects, educational formats, publications, posters, e-portfolios, publications of other kinds, etc….)
Outline of a project (project length max. 20–25′) that the applicants would like to realize as part of the MuST program. The project description should include the artistic goals of the project, the type of realization and the resources required (performers, sound, visuals, etc.).
short curriculum vitae
BA certificate and the certificate of the most recent degree obtained