String Instruments (B0215A310026)

Programme objectives

The Bachelor’s programme in String Instruments with specialisations in Harp, Violin, Double Bass, Guitar, Viola and Cello is aimed at supplementing and deepening the technical skills acquired at the secondary level of education, cultivating the student’s individual musical expression, and providing theoretical knowledge about 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 of study in String 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. 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 String Instruments programme of study:

• is familiar with standard and specialist playing techniques on the harp / violin / double bass / guitar / viola / cello;
• is well oriented in historical and contemporary developmental playing tendencies on the harp / violin / double bass / guitar / viola / cello;
• is familiar with the history of the organological development and literature of the harp / violin / double bass / guitar / viola / cello;
• possesses extensive knowledge of the solo, chamber and orchestral literature for the harp / violin / double bass / guitar / viola / cello.

Specialist skills

A graduate of the String Instruments programme of study:

• has practically mastered at a high level of proficiency the standard and specialist playing techniques of the harp / violin / double bass / guitar / viola / cello;
• 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 String 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 has been organised for all specialisations of the Bachelor’s programme in String Instruments, which consists of two in-person rounds.

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 includes evaluations of aptitude and instrumental dispositions, especially technical mastery of the composition, auditory imaginativeness, sense of style, memory dispositions and individual interpretive contribution.

After 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 individual specialisations of the String Instruments programme of study.

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.