Percussion Instruments (B0215A310027)

Programme objectives

The Bachelor’s programme of study in Percussion Instruments is aimed at supplementing and deepening the technical skills acquired at the secondary level of education, cultivating the student’s individual musical expression, above all in the use of percussion instruments in classical music with the option of qualified insight into the specifics of playing on percussion instruments in the areas of jazz, popular music and ethnic music.

The Bachelor’s programme of study focuses on all subfields of percussion instruments, including melodic percussion instruments and multi-percussion – i.e. arrangements of percussion instruments. Although the instruction provides development in interpretative skills in the entire broad stylistic spectrum, fundamental emphasis is nevertheless placed on the interpretation of 20th-century music, which introduced qualitatively completely new acoustic possibilities, expressive means and playing techniques to the field of percussion instruments. Last but not least, 20th-century music places completely new demands on the intellectual approach to the interpretative conception of a composition and to its execution.

The programme also provides theoretical knowledge on the history and theory of music and its interpretation. The student will learn how to independently analyse technical and interpretative problems, to propose strategies for resolving them, and to efficiently structure his or her own work. The student develops healthy physiological and psychological habits associated with practicing music and publicly performing it. Through his or her own interpretation of solo, chamber and orchestral music, the student becomes familiar with a wide range of interpretative approaches and instrumental techniques associated with various types of repertoires.

Profile of a programme graduate

A graduate of the Bachelor’s programme in Percussion Instruments has mastered an extensive repertoire and is equipped with theoretical knowledge as well as practical experience, enabling him or her to formulate an independent and stylistically appropriate interpretive conception of musical works on all of the common percussion instruments of a symphonic orchestra, as well as on the basic instruments of solo and chamber compositions. During the course of his or her studies, the student usually specialises in a particular segment of the wide spectrum of percussion instruments according to his or her intended future professional focus, e.g. solo marimba performance, timpani or multi-percussion. The graduate is able to communicate with composers in an innovative manner as compositions are being created, engaging in a well-founded search for new acoustic possibilities based on his or her own experience in making musical instruments.

The graduate is open to experimentation and to new trends. The graduate understands the field in the broader contexts of the art of music and in art generally, is familiar with the field’s history and present, and applies this knowledge in his or her own artistic activity. He or she is able to reflect theoretically on the field, and is well oriented in artistic practice. The graduate has the technical proficiency and interpretative maturity necessary to master a demanding, extensive and stylistically diverse repertoire, which will enable him or her to enter the music profession or to pursue a subsequent master’s degree.

Specialist knowledge

A graduate of the Percussion Instruments programme of study:

• is familiar with standard and specialist playing techniques on a wide range of percussion instruments including melodic percussion instruments and multi-percussion;
• is well oriented in historical and contemporary developmental playing tendencies in percussion instruments;
• is familiar with the history of the organological development and literature of percussion instruments;
• possesses extensive knowledge of the solo, chamber and orchestral literature for percussion instruments.

Specialist skills

A graduate of the Percussion Instruments programme of study:

• has mastered at a high level of proficiency the standard and specialist playing techniques of melodic and other percussion instruments;
• is able to execute high-quality public artistic performances in the role of a solo, chamber or orchestral player;
• reacts flexibly to impulses from the conductor or the head of the instrumental group;
• is able to coordinate precisely with the other players on the basis of visual and auditory impulses;
• is able to merge with the overall musical expression of the orchestra or orchestral section with respect to rhythmic coordination, intonation, articulation, emphasis and acoustic colouring.

General competencies

A graduate of the Percussion Instruments programme of study:

• demonstrates a strong aptitude for self-motivation and self-discipline, including self-study in preparation for continuous future education with a view to a sustainable career path;
• is flexible and able to quickly acquire knowledge and to propose alternative solutions in real time;
• responds creatively and appropriately to the ideas and input of others; works consistently and positively with verbal and/or written feedback;
• has the ability to listen, collaborate, express opinions constructively and prioritise the common interest in creating a uniform interpretation of the work;
• has long-term (lifelong) potential for individual artistic development, an open attitude towards new things, and regularly evaluates and develops his or her artistic and personal skills and competencies in line with his or her personal goals.

General information about admission process

An admissions proceeding consisting of two rounds has been organised for the Bachelor’s programme of study in Percussion Instruments. Each round will take place in person.

Round 1: A computer-based test on the history of music and other music-theoretical disciplines

The applicant shall answer a set of randomly selected questions with three possible answers, of which one is correct. If the applicant fails to achieve the set minimum score for advancement to Round 2, then the admissions proceeding shall be concluded. If the applicant advances to Round 2, then the points from Round 1 shall not be counted.

Round 2: An aptitude test

The precise requirements of the aptitude tests are published for each specialisation and academic year, and consist of a specific programme (a designation of required compositions, of compositions selected by the applicant, and of whether these compositions must be played from memory, etc.). These requirements are updated each year and posted in the relevant parts of the Studies section on the faculty website, and thus they are also available to prospective HAMU applicants.

The aptitude test shall take place in person before the examination committee, where the applicant shall perform the stipulated programme. The examination committee has the right to designate which of the required compositions the applicant shall perform. The examination committee has the right to interrupt individual compositions at any time.

The admissions committee shall assess the applicant with a comprehensive score, which contains evaluations of his or her expressive talent, sense of rhythm, musical memory, interpretive imagination, developed musical ear, and mastery of playing technique.

After the completion of Round 2, the admissions committee shall rank individual applicants according to their average scores and shall recommend for admission those applicants who ranked within the relevant admissions target and who earned the minimum score for the programme of study in Percussion Instruments.

The requirements of the admissions proceeding, including a designation of the method by which points are awarded, their range and the admissions target, are defined for each academic year by a relevant Decree of the Dean, which is subject to approval by the academic senate of the faculty.

If not enough applicants receive the required number of points, the admissions target will not be met.